The Trump era was made possible by the gradual erosion of reality propagated by far-right networks like Fox News. They radicalized a huge chunk of conservatives in this country and when Trump became president, a putrid symbiosis took root in this country.
Trump won the presidency because conservative news outlets were so radical, and once in power Trump prompted these networks to become even more radical. It’s a dizzying, downward spiral that is eroding the very fabric of our democracy.
Of all the professional liars and fearmongers in the employ of Fox, few have lost their rationality and shame as quickly as Sean Hannity, who has taken to peddling literal conspiracy theories during his primetime slot.
He’s abandoned any attempt to report the real news, and simply spews hatred and petty distractions at his audience. His latest target is popular late night television host Jimmy Kimmel.
Hannity launched his campaign against Kimmel yesterday by attacking him for crude videos he made as a young comedian. The videos have been public forever, and while they are a little inappropriate and perhaps in poor taste to a modern audience, they’re certainly far from criminal and essentially harmless.
Hannity referred to Kimmel as “Harvey Weinstein Jr.” The deeply offensive comparison shows how cynical and dishonest Hannity has become. There is an ocean of difference between Kimmel making penis jokes and Weinstein raping and terrorizing women for decades. It’s absurd to pretend they’re even slightly similar and demonstrates how desperate Hannity is to attack the left.
This is ABC’s @jimmykimmel aka Harvey Weinstein Jr. Asking 18 year old girls to grab his crotch and “put their mouth on it”. Jimmy that’s you being a pervert asshole. How would you feel if that was your daughter? I bet @Disney is so proud. https://t.co/o7ydG72Pzc
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) April 6, 2018
Hannity then took aim at The Man Show which Kimmel starred on. It’s almost funny that Hannity thinks dredging up an old show is some kind of “scoop.” Everyone knows Kimmel was on the show. Again, it was crude at times, but it’s also public knowledge and a complete non-issue.
Molly McNearney, Kimmel’s wife and co-header writer for his show tweeted back at Hannity, calling him out for his hypocrisy by pointing out that he is acting offended by Kimmel’s old comedy bit, but was completely fine with Trump bragging about sexual assault on the Access Hollywood tape.
Oh man, Sean. If you are offended by that 20 year old comedy bit, WAIT until you hear what our President said to Billy Bush! https://t.co/mahuqMLBmf
— Molly McNearney (@mollymcnearney) April 6, 2018
This morning, Hannity returned to this dry well again by attacking Kimmel for the video and whining about the host’s criticism of First Lady Melania, asking his unhinged fans to vote on what “offensive” thing Kimmel will do next.
Today’s poll. So tonight will @jimmykimmel be 1- Asking 18 year old girls to touch his crotch. 2- Make fun of the First Lady reading books to children. 3- Be a racist asshole. 4- all of the above? @Disney #pervertkimmel https://t.co/bq5WE4eyOP
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) April 6, 2018
Kimmel himself chimed in by voting for “whichever” option helps Hannity “trivialize the horrors of Harvey Weinstein by comparing them to televised comedy bits in which every woman was a willing participant who gladly signed a release.” The concise tweet perfectly deconstructed precisely what’s so offensive and disingenuous about Hannity’s rhetoric.
I vote for whichever one best helps you trivialize the horrors of Harvey Weinstein by comparing them to televised comedy bits in which every woman was a willing participant who gladly signed a release https://t.co/6jlpRqtttY
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 6, 2018
Hannity responded with a tepid tweet and the two went back and forth.
You are a bully attacking the First Lady of the USA. Attack me any time you want. Attack @realDonaldTrump anytime you want. Suck up to Obama all you want. Having 18 year old girls grab your crotch is creepy and perverted. How would you feel if it was your daughter Harvey Jr? https://t.co/uuddgKAZJl
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) April 6, 2018
Thank goodness we have kind, tolerant men like you to protect this nation from bullies. https://t.co/gVmJwtEGeJ
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 6, 2018
Stop picking on woman that can’t fightback Mr Harvey Weinstein jr. And maybe pledge not to ask 18 year old girls to touch your crotch and put their mouths on it like you did. Why don’t You Be a grown up and simply apologize. https://t.co/WFP5GdJf25
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) April 6, 2018
Not surprisingly, Kimmel got the last laugh.
When your clown makeup rubs off on Trump’s ass, does it make his butt look like a Creamsicle? https://t.co/DEhmfOh0Hn
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 6, 2018
Follow Rob Haffey on Twitter and Facebook.