Sean Hannity is a popular FOX News host and was an informal Trump advisor. He has been accused of sexual misconduct by two women. The conservative blogger Debbie Schlussel claimed he twice asked her back to his hotel room and after she declined was never asked back on his show. She clarified that she did not want to accuse him of sexual harassment. She said he was “weird and creepy” and made her uncomfortable, but that it didn’t fit the legal definition of sexual harassment. She was not his employee or subordinate, so that could be why she said it wasn’t technically sexual harassment.
Another woman, Cathy Areu filed a lawsuit against FOX, alleging sexual harassment by Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Howard Kurtz, and Ed Henry. Her case was dismissed because she was not employed by FOX and she did not prove that the subsequent drying up of invitations to appear were motivated by reprisals. She also did not prove discriminatory hiring practices.
FOX released emails she sent after the incidents to point out that they were friendly, thanked the hosts, etc. Of course, she wanted to be invited back and eventually work into a paid position, so that doesn’t prove her allegations were false. This kind of defense is offensive and proves nothing. Women often remain friendly with harassers and abusers because of professional obligations.
- NewChannel 5: Sean Hannity the latest Fox News host to be accused of sexual harassment
- The Daily Beast: Sean Hannity Accused of Inviting Fox News Guest to His Hotel Room
- CASETEXT: Areu vs. FOX News
- Salon.com: Sean Hannity’s long-standing defense of sexual abusers
Detroit Free Press
Detroit, Michigan · Tuesday, April 25, 2017