This is Trump TV
by digby
They don’t really even try to hide it anymore:
Sean Hannity and Fox News asserted Monday that he wasn’t going to be on stage “campaigning” with President Donald Trump at a political rally the day before Election Day — perhaps leading readers to believe he hasn’t endorsed, campaigned for or appeared on stage with GOP candidates for office and other politicians in recent years.
But the television and radio personality has repeatedly made clear that he sees himself as both a partisan operator and a media presence, endorsing and appearing with candidates for office over and over again.
Here’s a brief timeline of Hannity’s most prominent political endorsements and appearances in recent years:
On March 11, 2016, Hannity interviewed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), then a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, at a rally in Orlando. The Orlando Sentinel recorded the event and reported: “GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz, interviews with TV-host Sean Hannity during a rally at the Faith Assembly of God church, in Orlando, Fla.” Cruz and Hannity appeared together at several campaign events in 2016, including one in February at which Hannity looked on as Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC) endorsed Cruz on stage.
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 11: Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks in a discussion with political commentator Sean Hannity during a campaign rally at Faith Assembly of God Church on March 11, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The candidates continue to campaign before the March 15th Florida primary. (Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)On March 18, 2016, Hannity interviewed Cruz again, this time in Arizona. Hannity aired the interview footage on his show but noted, referring to members of the audience holding “CHOOSE CRUZ” signs: “They’re here for an event that was put together by the super PAC Keep the Promise.” Cruz and Hannity spoke against a backdrop of “CHOOSE CRUZ” and “KEEP THE PROMISE” logos.
On Sept. 26, 2016, Hannity appeared in a Donald Trump campaign video, apparently without telling his bosses at Fox News ahead of time. “We were not aware of Sean Hannity participating in a promotional video and he will not be doing anything along these lines for the remainder of the election season,” a Fox spokesperson told TPM at the time.
On April 6, 2017, Hannity endorsed Amy Kremer for Congress.
On July 19, 2017, Hannity endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) for re-election. At the time, Cruz noted: “You endorsed me early in the primary when I first ran for Senate in 2012” — Here’s that tape.
On Nov. 8, 2017, Hannity endorsed Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach to be governor of Kansas.
On Jan. 17, 2018, Hannity endorsed then-Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) to be governor of Florida.
On June 26, 2018, Hannity headlined the 2018 Manhattan GOP Freedom Gala “in support of Chele Farley for U.S. Senate,” according to Farley’s campaign. Farley’s campaign made Hannity’s political involvement explicit: “With the federal filing deadline approaching, Hannity and the Manhattan GOP are helping to cap a strong fundraising quarter for Farley in her bid to unseat the Senate’s top obstructionist and 2020 presidential poser Kirsten Gillibrand.”
On July 2, 2018, Hannity appeared at three campaign rallies in one day in support of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and DeSantis. “We need these guys in office for us,” Hannity said while pointing to DeSantis and Gaetz, according to the Pensacola News Journal.
On Sept. 20, 2018, Hannity interviewed Trump ahead of a campaign rally in Las Vegas. He autographed “Make America Great Again” hats and threw them to fans. “I know this crowd— You ready to hear the President?” he asked rally attendees, to cheers.
Of course he’s campaigning with the president today. Everyone knows it. It’s absurd to even pretend otherwise. He is the president’s most important supporter and one of his most influential advisers. We can see that every single night.
By the way, Rush Limbaugh wants in on this action too. He’s going to be with Trump at his final rally as well.
No word on whether Alex Jones and David Duke are flying in but maybe it’s going to be a big surprise.
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