Fox News has addressed Sean Hannity’s on-stage appearance with President Trump at yesterday’s rally in Missouri, calling what transpired “an unfortunate distraction.”
According to a network spokesperson, “Fox News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events. 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 stood by his original tweet from yesterday—in which he said he would “not be onstage campaigning with the president”—but clarified the statement he made on-stage last night about the “fake news media,” saying he did not mean to include his Fox News colleagues in that remark.
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.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 6, 2018
To be clear, I was not referring to my journalist colleagues at FOX News in those remarks. They do amazing work day in and day out in a fair and balanced way and It is an honor to work with such great professionals.
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) November 6, 2018
Nevertheless, Hannity did end up making a guest appearance at the campaign rally, in line with the Trump campaign’s press release and seemingly going against previous statements made by cable news’ most popular personality and the network.
NEW: Pres. Trump announces “special guest appearances” by Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity at the final stop of his national midterm campaign tour in Cape Girardeau Monday evening. https://t.co/ynwLE7NpOU pic.twitter.com/13zZSXQEpm
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 4, 2018
It is unknown what, if any, additional actions will be taken by Fox News, in addition to its public statement.