Fox News host Sean Hannity called a Wall Street Journal editor an “asshole” and a “dumbass” in a series of messages on Twitter late Thursday night, after the WSJ columnist described Hannity as “Fox News’ dumbest anchor.”
WSJ deputy editorial page editor Bret Stephens sparked Hannity’s anger with this tweet Thursday night:
Fox News’ dumbest anchor had a message for y’all: https://t.co/AMQutLDeow via @Yahoo
Advertisement— Bret Stephens (@StephensWSJ) August 5, 2016
Hannity responded with a storm of tweets directed at his “corporate cousin,” as Rupert Murdoch is CEO of Fox News and chairman and CEO of Journal parent News Corp.:
If Hillary wins I will hold assholes like you accountable. You will be responsible for her Supreme ct selections..,, https://t.co/oaH1b92PFS
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 5, 2016
It’s arrogant, elitist, enablers like you that never hold R’s accountable that created the opening for Trump!! https://t.co/oaH1b92PFS
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 5, 2016
Where were you when R party refused to use the power of the purse to defund Obamacare ? https://t.co/oaH1b92PFS
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 5, 2016
Wsj genius. Where were u when Boehner punted on the power of the purse a added nearly 5 trillion in new debt? https://t.co/oaH1b92PFS
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) August 5, 2016
The in-family fight raises questions a shift in culture at Fox News in the post-Ailes era, as Roger Ailes was known as a fierce protector of his talent, and the shop he ran kept a tight lid on public displays of discord.
Friday morning, Stephens got in this final shot:
Why does @seanhannity remind me of Otto from “A Fish Called Wanda”? https://t.co/2hTspHoaPM
— Bret Stephens (@StephensWSJ) August 5, 2016