A new book has revealed that Fox News host Sean Hannity desperately pleaded with former President Donald Trump to stop publicly attacking the network
while it was embroiled in a high-profile lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems.
The explosive claim suggests that behind the scenes, even some of Trump’s most loyal supporters were trying to contain the growing tensions
between him and the conservative news outlet.
Hannity’s Private Plea to Trump
According to the book, which provides an in-depth look at the inner workings of conservative media and its relationship with Trump,
Hannity reportedly urged the former president to tone down his criticisms of Fox News. At the time,
the network was facing a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems over false claims regarding the 2020 presidential election.
Trump, known for his outspoken nature, had repeatedly expressed frustration with Fox News, accusing the network of not being supportive enough of his election fraud claims. This put Fox News in an increasingly difficult position, as it tried to balance its loyalty to Trump with the legal and reputational risks it faced in the Dominion case.
‘For the Love of God, Stop’
The book alleges that Hannity, a longtime Trump ally and one of Fox News’ most influential figures, directly appealed to the former president, reportedly telling him, “For the love of God, stop.” The plea was an attempt to prevent Trump from further damaging Fox News’ credibility and worsening its legal troubles.
Despite Hannity’s request, Trump continued to voice his displeasure with the network, taking to social media and public appearances to criticize Fox News for not fully backing his election fraud narrative. His attacks only intensified as Dominion’s lawsuit gained traction, ultimately leading to a historic $787.5 million settlement between Fox News and the voting technology company.
Fox News’ Legal Battle with Dominion
Dominion Voting Systems filed the lawsuit against Fox News in 2021, alleging that the network knowingly spread false claims that its machines were involved in rigging the 2020 election. Internal communications revealed during the lawsuit showed that several Fox News hosts and executives privately doubted Trump’s election fraud allegations but continued to air them on television.
The case became one of the most significant legal challenges in Fox News’ history, culminating in a massive settlement just before the trial was set to begin in April 2023. The lawsuit exposed internal tensions within the network, particularly regarding how to handle Trump’s unfounded claims without alienating its conservative audience.
Trump’s Rocky Relationship with Fox News
While Trump had long been a favorite of Fox News, his relationship with the network became strained after the 2020 election. He was particularly enraged when Fox News was the first major network to call Arizona for Joe Biden on election night—a decision that many of his allies saw as a betrayal.
Following that moment, Trump began promoting other conservative media outlets, such as Newsmax and One America News Network (OANN), which were more willing to amplify his claims of election fraud. He repeatedly accused Fox News of shifting away from its pro-Trump stance, leading to ongoing friction between him and the network.
Hannity’s Dilemma
As one of Trump’s closest media allies, Hannity found himself in a difficult position. On one hand, he remained publicly supportive of Trump and continued to provide a platform for his views. On the other, he was reportedly aware of the risks Fox News faced due to its election coverage and the Dominion lawsuit.
The book suggests that Hannity’s plea to Trump was motivated by a desire to protect the network from further legal and reputational damage. However, his efforts appeared to have little effect, as Trump continued to criticize Fox News, particularly its news division, which he accused of being too moderate.
The Fallout from Trump’s Attacks
Despite Hannity’s reported intervention, Trump’s ongoing attacks on Fox News contributed to a divided conservative media landscape. While many of his supporters remained loyal to Fox News, others began seeking alternative sources of right-wing news that were more aligned with Trump’s views.
The Dominion lawsuit ultimately forced Fox News to make a costly settlement, but the fallout didn’t end there. The controversy led to the ousting of Tucker Carlson, one of the network’s highest-rated hosts, and raised questions about Fox News’ editorial decisions moving forward.
Conclusion
The revelation that Sean Hannity personally begged Trump to stop attacking Fox News adds another layer to the complex relationship between the former president and the conservative media giant. While Hannity’s plea may have been an attempt to shield the network from further legal trouble, it highlights the broader challenges Fox News faced as it tried to navigate Trump’s post-election controversies.
Even after the Dominion settlement, Trump’s influence over conservative media remains strong, and his criticisms of Fox News continue to shape its coverage. Whether Fox News will fully regain his favor or continue to face his wrath remains an open question—one that could have major implications for both the network and the broader conservative media ecosystem.
