A new book reveals the behind-the-scenes drama during the Dominion lawsuit, detailing how Fox News host Sean Hannity was forced to beg President Donald Trump to stop attacking the network. As the legal battle over election fraud claims heated up, Hannity reportedly became increasingly concerned that Trump's public criticisms were jeopardizing the network's position. According to the book, Hannity, a longtime ally of Trump, urged him to reconsider his strategy, fearing it could escalate the situation and damage both his own reputation and the network's credibility.
According to The Independent, an excerpt from the new book "Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump’s Return to Power" by Axios reporter Alex Isenstadt reveals how Sean Hannity pleaded with former President Trump during a phone call weeks before Fox News settled its defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems in 2023.
“Please do not hit Fox; do not hit the Murdoch family. Just please, for the love of God, please don’t do it,” Hannity said, according to an excerpt from the book. “Mr. President, I’m trying to help you out here with the Fox people here. But you’re not making it easy for me by going after the Murdochs. You’re not helping me. You’re not helping yourself. If you can just lay off, we can start making some moves and getting back to normal.”
Trump reportedly replied, “Sean is trying to do the right thing. But, man, the Murdochs? I don’t know.”
Hannity then reportedly asked for Trump’s then-campaign manager, Susie Wiles.
“Susie, are you in the room?” Hannity asked. “Susie, can you talk to the president? For the love of God, can you talk to the president?”
“Well, Sean, President Trump is going to do what President Trump thinks is best and fair,” Wiles reportedly responded, according to Isenstadt’s book.
Trump seized on revelations from the defamation lawsuit Dominion filed against the network. The lawsuit sought $1.6 billion over false claims about the 2020 election. In April 2023, the network reached a $787.5 million settlement with Dominion.
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