You cannot look at today’s bombshell allegation that Fox News colluded with the Trump administration to promote fake news about murdered DNC staffer Seth Rich without wondering about the role of Sean Hannity. Hannity has relentlessly pushed the conspiracy theory even after Rich's family pleaded with him to stop.
As I previously reported, Fox News contributor and private investigator Rod Wheeler sued Fox News today, accusing it, among other things of fabricating key quotes attributed to him in its now-retracted reporting on Rich. Wheeler’s complaint included the jaw-dropping allegation the quotes were “falsely attributed to Mr. Wheeler because that is the way the President wanted the article.”
NPR’s David Folkenflik has confirmed that Wheeler and a wealthy GOP donor helping to promote the story met with then-White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer to discuss it. However Spicer and donor Ed Butowsky now dispute Donald Trump’s personal involvement.
Nevertheless, this all begs the question: Where does Sean Hannity fit into this picture?
Hannity especially loved the Rich conspiracy theory and vowed to keep with it despite a request from Rich’s brother. Hannity “selflessly,” declared, “[T]he family wants the truth and I think the country deserves the truth.”
So what kind of “truth” will Hannity provide now?
Today, CNN’s Brian Stelter noted that the meeting with Spicer “suggests that there could have been even more coordination” between Fox and the White House.” Without pointing a finger directly at Hannity, Stelter further noted Hannity’s attachment to the story:
STELTER: And remember, the story has been discredited and retracted by Fox News. But at the time, it was a big deal. It was a distraction from damaging Russia stories, a distraction from the firing of [former FBI Director] James Comey. People like [Fox host] Sean Hannity ate this conspiracy theory up. And where was Sean eating last week? The White House. Remember he has close ties to the president. So all of this, even though it's allegations in a lawsuit, it's very eye opening because of the connections between Fox and the White House. (via Media Matters, with my emphases added)
Not only was Hannity eating at the White House last week, he discussed overhauling Trump’s political strategy with him and then-communications director Anthony Scaramucci, according to The Washington Post.
Watch Stelter discuss the implications of Wheeler’s lawsuit below, on the August 1, 2017 CNN's At This Hour with Kate Bolduan.
(Hannity image via screen grab)
You complain about other news outlets but you fail to look in the mirror. Every time you complain about other networks, another lawsuit is filed against Fox “News.” You’ve embarrassed Merri Jill in front of her friends. You’ve embarrassed your children, nieces and nephews in front of their friends. You are a self-inflated bore whose full of himself.
How ironic that you are pushing your third-rate film, ‘Let There Be Light.’ The only light we want to see is the Murdock boys terminate your employment from Fox “News” Channel.
The Pie is in bigly trouble this time, and he knows it. People are not going to cover for the evil man anymore. The investigators will get an earful.
If we were directors or executive directors of faith-based, or other nonprofit organizations we steer clear of the Hannie Pies. Otherwise, their 501 (c3) will be challenged by the masses.
NOTE TO KEVIN SORBO
Your film will tank at the box office. If you were smart you would never do business with a sheep in wolves clothing. Pull the film and walk away while you have a chance.
