Fox News censured its biggest star today, saying that Sean Hannity should not have appeared onstage last night with President Trump at his final campaign rally before the midterm elections.
But is anybody really surprised?
Just hours after Hannity tweeted that he would not appear on stage…
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
Hannity took the stage anyway (as had been advertised by the White House) and promptly pointed to the media members assembled in the back of the room — which included Fox News staff — labeling them “fake news.”
The incident revealed a network struggling to reign in its biggest star, who has flaunted the independence that comes with sky-high ratings and privileged status inside Fox News.
Fellow host Jeanine Pirro also appeared on stage with the Trump at the rally.
“FOX News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events,” a Fox News spokesperson 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.”
While Hannity has traveled to Trump rallies plenty of times to host his show on-site and interview the president, questions about his role at the Missouri rally stemmed from the White House.
In an email sent out before the rally, the White House billed Hannity as a “special guest” along with conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh and musician Lee Greenwood.
Hannity then denied he would be on stage, only to take the stage hours later.
Hannity ridiculously claimed on Twitter today that he had not misrepresented his plans: “What I said in my tweet yesterday was 100% truthful. When the POTUS invited me on stage to give a few remarks last night, I was surprised, yet honored by the president’s request. This was NOT planned.”
But it was planned and advertised by the White House.
Trump’s relationship with Fox News has long been tight and has only grown more snug throughout his presidency.
Hannity is known to be one of Trump’s top advisers, speaking with the president frequently.
And there has been a highway between the network and the White House, with officials such as White House communications chief Bill Shine, top State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert and national security adviser John Bolton all having previously worked at the network.
Nauert is viewed as a leading contender to replace Nikki Haley as UN ambassador.