An email from a producer of Fox News’ Hannity pressing members of Congress on why they’re not specifically backing Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) in the race for Speaker of the House is making the rounds. MSNBC host Chris Hayes was not amused by it.
During his primetime program Tuesday, Hayes questioned why a network recently embroiled in a high-profile defamation case — alluding to the settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems — would take such an angle.
“So, one of the most powerful forces in conservative politics – a network that pretty recently, I don’t know, am I remembering this correctly? — paid nearly $800 million to settle a lawsuit about its own involvement in the coup – is bullying individual members for Donald Trump and Jim Jordan so that the coup team can get back together wielding their power,” Hayes said.
The email from “Stephanie from the Hannity show with Fox News” was reportedly sent to several representatives who had shared their intention to vote for someone other than Jordan.
“Can you please let me know if this is accurate? And, if true, Hannity would like to know why during a war breaking out between Israel and Hamas, with the war in Ukraine, with the wide open borders, with a budget that’s unfinished why would Rep xxxx be against Rep Jim Jordan for speaker? Please let us know when Rep xxxx plans on opening The People’s House so work can be done,” the email read. “Lastly, are there any conditions Rep xxxx will choose to work with Democrats on the process of electing a new speaker? The deadline for comment is 11 AM ET tomorrow 10/16. Thank you.”
Chris Hayes argued there is only one way for representatives to receive the correspondence from the producer.
“The message here is that Sean Hannity and Fox News will publicly punish you if you cross the leader of our party and his chosen speaker.”
