Sean Hannity is more than Donald Trump’s favorite interviewer — he is effectively a member of the Trump campaign.
He’s organized numerous town hall events on Trump’s behalf, flew Newt Gingrich on a private jet to a campaign meeting at his own expense, and never, ever asks a tough question.
Hannity has made no secret of his intention to use his hour each night on Fox News to relentlessly promote Trump’s candidacy.
But how far will he go? If Monday night is any indication, there are no limits.
Hannity spent the first half of his program promoting a National Enquirer cover story about Hillary’s “fixer.” The man, who was previously anonymous, told the National Enquirer that Hillary “is a secret sex freak who paid fixers to set up illicit romps with both men AND women.” He also claims to have covered up Bill Clinton’s liaisons, among other activities.
Hannity partnered with the National Enquirer to reveal the man’s identity, for the first time, on his show. Here is how Hannity introduced the segment:
Now, we did reach out to Hillary Clinton, her campaign and former president Bill Clinton’s office multiple times, and neither, shockingly, provided us with a statement. It is important to note that FOX News cannot independently verify the story, but tonight for the first time ever, this man’s identity is being revealed.
Joining us now in a “Hannity” exclusive is novelist and reported former Clinton fixer Jeff Rovin.
Hannity then got down to business.
“You’re talking about hookers. You’re talking about dirty tricks, buying off journalists and much more. Why don’t you give us specifics,” Hannity asked Rovin.
Rovin responded that he would like to tell his story in “a little less hyperbolic way.” He went on to allege that Hillary Clinton had a romantic relationship with Vince Foster, her friend who committed suicide. Rovin was on Fox News discussing the National Enquirer story for two segments.
Donald Trump has a close relationship with National Enquirer CEO David Pecker. The Enquirer has endorsed Trump and ignored the numerous stories about Trump that would seem to be tabloid fodder. Instead, it has relentlessly promoted Trump’s candidacy.
One of the things Hannity didn’t ask about was Rovin’s former employment as editor of the World News Weekly, a tabloid that makes the National Enquirer look like the New Yorker.
A few of the covers of that august publication:
Sadly, the publication — a staple of the grocery store checkout line — went out of business in 2007.
How does Fox News, an organization that employs journalists and was chosen to moderate the last presidential debate, feel about Hannity turning over a large chunk of their primetime schedule to a man who previously promoted Bat Boy and alien abduction?
Can’t help but notice that @FoxNews didn’t upload any video of @seanhannity’s big exclusive with @NatEnquirer dude on any of its platforms.
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 25, 2016
Fox News takes pains to delineate between their “news” and “opinion” programming. Their most newsworthy interview subjects, however, frequently seek refuge in their “opinion” shows, particularly Hannity.
Last night, in addition to a former Weekly World News editor, Hannity interviewed Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence and his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway.
