[[Image:SHannity.jpg|right|190px]]
'''Sean Hannity''' (born December 30, 1961) is a talk show host and [[television]] host of [[Fox News]]'s show [[Hannity (tv show)|Hannity]], as well as host of the former [[Hannity's America]]. He generally takes strong [[conservative]] stances, with a notable exception being the controversy regarding [[Todd Akin]] (see below). Liberals strongly oppose Hannity<ref>Ernst, Douglas (May 24, 2017). [httphttps://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/may/24/sean-hannity-warns-fans-of-organized-left-wing-eff/ Sean Hannity warns fans of organized, left-wing effort to ‘silence’ him]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 24, 2017.</ref> because he contradicts their favored narratives.<ref name="MonopolizeMedia"/>
== Media bullying of Todd Akin and Roy Moore ==
Hannity claimed that Akin should consider withdrawing from the Senate race: "I think there is one political reality that I think has to be faced by you and your campaign ... Democrats now have a ton of ammunition and they are now going to try to use these remarks to hurt everybody they can. And if I was put in that position, I would at least be thinking about what is in the best interest of the party."<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/08/20/hannity_urges_akin_to_consider_dropping_out_in_interview_with_him.html]</ref>
True conservatives stood with principle and defended Akin's remarks, and his right to remain in the race.<ref>http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=004DDFAC-6907-452E-93F5-62D3793BBABE</ref><ref>httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/08/21/tony-perkins-gop-treatment-of-akin-suspect/</ref><ref>http://www.rollcall.com/news/missouri_delegates_still_support_todd_akin_despite_controversy-217050-1.html</ref><ref>httphttps://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57497428-503544/rep-steve-king-backs-up-todd-akin-weighs-in-on-rape-and-abortion/</ref><ref>[http://mycn2.com/politics/rand-paul-reticent-to-weigh-in-on-akin-s-future-but-says-akin-s-comment-was-incorrect Rand Paul reticent to weigh in on Akin's future but says Akin's comment was incorrect] by Ryan Alessi, mycn2.com, August 22, 2012, retrieved August 24, 2012</ref><ref>http://akin.org/huckabee-chip-in</ref><ref>http://hinterlandgazette.com/2012/08/social-conservatives-including-frc-head-tony-perkins-defending-rep-todd-akins-legitimate-rape-comment.html</ref><ref>httphttps://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80049.html</ref><ref>http://buchanan.org/blog/a-grand-old-party-in-panic-2-5223</ref>
Hannity showed himself to be a [[RINO Backers|RINO backer]] through his actions.
He accepted the offer and became co-host with liberal [[Alan Colmes]] of ''Hannity and Colmes'', a prime-time one-hour debate-driven talk show focusing on the controversial issues and newsmakers of the day.<ref name="foxnews.com"/> January 9, 2009, was the final show of Hannity & Colmes, replaced the following week with Hannity's solo, self-titled show [[Hannity (tv show)|Hannity]]. ''Hannity and Colmes'' ranked among the leading cable TV news shows (just behind CNN's ''Larry King Live'' and FOX's ''O'Reilly Factor''). Hannity also has a weekend show on Fox News, [[Hannity's America]].
In September 2017, Hannity's show was moved to the 9 pm EDT time slot, putting him in direct competition with left-wing MSNBC host [[Rachel Maddow]]. In his first week in competition with her, Hannity received much higher ratings than her, despite her rise in ratings prior to that in 2017.<ref>Schwartz, Jason (September 29, 2017). [httphttps://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/29/sean-hannity-rachel-maddow-ratings-243307 Hannity beats Maddow in first week of 9 p.m. showdown]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref><ref>Enloe, Chris (September 30, 2017). [http://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/09/30/sean-hannity-is-now-in-head-to-head-competition-with-rachel-maddow-and-the-ratings-just-came-in/ Sean Hannity is now in head-to-head competition with Rachel Maddow — and the ratings just came in]. ''The Blaze''. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref><ref>Beck, Conor (September 29, 2017). [httphttps://freebeacon.com/culture/hannity-beats-maddow-first-week/ Hannity Beats Maddow in First Week at 9 P.M. Hour]. ''The Washington Free Beacon''. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref> Not only has Hannity consistently ranked #1 on cable television, but some days, such as during his coverage of President Trump's summit with [[North Korea]]n dictator [[Kim Jong-un]], he has ranked #1 out of every television show whatsoever.<ref>Miles, Frank (June 12, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/06/12/hannity-is-most-watched-show-on-all-television-monday-even-beating-bachelorette.html 'Hannity' is most-watched show on all of television Monday, even beating 'The Bachelorette']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 13, 2018.</ref>
==Controversy==
Hannity has also received criticism for his involvement with the Freedom Alliance charity and the associated Freedom Concerts that he has hosted for the [[charity]] since 2003. The concerts are held to raise money to give to severely injured [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. soldiers]] or as scholarships for the children of slain or injured soldiers. Through 2008, less than 20% of revenues raised by the Freedom Alliance have actually gone to these causes (and as low as 3.7% in 2006), according to IRS Form 990 tax data.<ref>Economic Research Institute. Nonprofit Organization Information - Freedom Alliance. http://www.eri-nonprofit-salaries.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=NPO.Form990&EIN=541411430&Year=2009</ref> This was widely reported by [[Debbie Schlussel]], a conservative commentator and [[blog]]ger, and Schlussel has also made corroborated accusations that hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent by the Freedom Alliance for each concert to accommodate Hannity and his friends and family.<ref>Schlussel, Debbie. "Sean Hannity’s Freedom CONcert Scam: Almost None of Charity’s $ Went to Injured Troops, Kids of Fallen Troops; G5s for Vannity?" March 18, 2010. http://www.debbieschlussel.com/6938/sean-hannitys-freedom-concert-scam-only-7-of-charitys-money-went-to-injured-troops-kids-of-fallen-troops-g5s-g6s-for-vannity/</ref> Hannity has been accused of taking advantage of the charitable nature of conservative, patriotic Americans.
In May 2017, Fox News published and then retracted a story about the [[murder of Seth Rich]]. Hannity did not retract anything he stated, noting the fact that liberals and Democrats themselves widely accepted and circulated [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]], most notably those regarding alleged Russian interference in the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 presidential election]].<ref>Concha, Joe (May 23, 2017). [httphttps://thehill.com/homenews/media/334825-hannity-on-seth-rich-coverage-i-retracted-nothing Hannity on Seth Rich coverage: ‘I retracted nothing’]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved May 23, 2017.</ref> Because of Hannity's decision, liberal advertisers chose to pressure and bully him by pulling out their ads from his show.<ref>Kew, Ben (May 24, 2017). [httphttps://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/24/advertisers-bow-to-activist-left-begin-pulling-ads-from-hannity/ Advertisers Bow to Activist Left, Begin Pulling Ads from Hannity]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 24, 2017.</ref> Many of these attacks were attempts on the part of left-wingers to destroy a non-left-wing voice in the media.<ref name="MonopolizeMedia">Kew, Ben (May 25, 2017). [httphttps://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/05/25/brent-bozell-attack-on-hannity-part-of-liberal-strategy-to-monopolize-the-media/ Brent Bozell: Attack on Hannity Part of ‘Liberal Strategy to Monopolize the Media’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 26, 2017.</ref>
==Books==