In recent days, rumors have been swirling about the fate of longtime Fox News host Sean Hannity’s future with the network. After Fox News President Bill Shine abruptly left amidst repeated allegations of sexual and racial harassment leveled by former employees.
Bill O’Reilly’s firing from the network was seen by many as the last straw for Shine, and Hannity himself predicted that a “high up” individual within the network was pushing for Shine to be removed from Fox News.
After Shine’s departure on Monday, many believed that Hannity would bolt Fox News as well, instead opting to join a much-talked about new conservative cable news channel to compete with Fox News, however that will not be the case.
In an impromptu meeting with his staff on Tuesday afternoon, Sean Hannity reaffirmed his commitment to Fox, telling them he’s not trying to leave the network.
from source at meeting @seanhannity staff pizza party – where he told them he’s not negotiating leaving, thanked them for their work pic.twitter.com/tQBIVKIFdk
— Hadas Gold (@Hadas_Gold) May 2, 2017
From Politico:
Staff-wide meetings for Hannity agpre unusual and one person close to his show expressed surprise because “Hannity doesn’t do meetings.”
But at the meeting held Tuesday afternoon, the anchor told his staff that he’s not negotiating an exit despite reports, according to a person present at the meeting. He thanked his staff for what they do and told them he’s “always available” to answer questions.
“And don’t believe the destroy-Trump media,” the person said he added.
According to multiple sources, Hannity has a “key man clause” in his contract that gives him the option of leaving Fox News at any time after the departure of Ailes; he only needs to give 60 days notice before he can leave the network.
Given the upheaval at Fox in recent months with primetime anchors Megyn Kelly and Greta Van Susteren jumping ship to NBC, and now O’Reilly’s sudden departure, it would not have been unreasonable for Hannity to abandon what many perceive as the sinking Fox News ship.
As such, Hannity likely realized that Fox News offered him a platform with a large audience that could not easily be duplicated on another conservative platform. In recent months, Hannity has seen record ratings for his show, and he has been a consistent voice giving President Trump a fair shake on television.
While many are likely upset at the shakeups occurring within Fox, Hannity’s fan will be relieved that his conservative voice will remain with the network, hopefully for years to come.
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