News
‘Unnecessary Distraction’: Fox Has ‘Addressed’ Star Host’s Participation With Trump On Stage at Rally
It’s hard to maintain a modicum of journalistic integrity when your star host is well-known as a good friend who chats with and advises the president daily, but when that same host appears at a political rally on stage with the president you have to do something.
Fox has announced that it has “addressed” Sean Hannity’s decision to appear on stage with President Trump at a hyper-partisan rally on the eve of Election Day.
“FOX News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events,” the right wing cable TV network said in a statement. “We have an extraordinary team of journalists helming our coverage tonight and we are extremely proud of their work. This was an unfortunate distraction and has been addressed.”
Hannity had chastised those who felt his mere presence at the rally was inappropriate by saying he always interviews the president at a rally the night before an election, while promising he would not appear on stage.
That was false.
“To be clear, I will not be on stage campaigning with the President. I am covering final rally for my show. Something I have done in every election in the past,” Hannity claimed late Monday morning.
In spite of reports, I will be doing a live show from Cape Girardeau and interviewing President Trump before the rally. To be clear, I will not be on stage campaigning with the President. I am covering final rally for my show. Something I have done in every election in the past.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 5, 2018
Hours later, he on stage with President Trump.
HANNITY joins TRUMP onstage in Missouri.
Earlier today HANNITY tweeted: “I will not be on stage campaigning with the President. I am covering final rally for my show.” https://t.co/yaDTz5KC4F
HANNITY tonight: “All those people in the back are fake news.” pic.twitter.com/jH5BGy3zsg
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) November 6, 2018
Not only did Hannity join the president on stage, he gave him a huge hug after leaping on to the stage. He then took the opportunity to denounce “all those” reporters covering the event – including those from Fox News – as “fake news.”
Fox has not detailed how it has “addressed” the issue, but there are no reports Hannity has been suspended.
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.