After Fox News pulled a report based on a conspiracy theory about the murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich, Sean Hannity, one of the most prominent voices pushing the theory, said on Tuesday night that he would stop talking about Rich for the time being.
Hannity said that he would stop discussing the conspiracy theory on air out of respect for Rich’s family, but he indicated that he will still attempt to prove the theory true and that he may return to it at a later time.
“I totally, completely understand how upset, how hard this is on this family, especially over the recent coverage of Seth’s death,” he said on his Fox News show, noting that he has been in touch with Rich’s family. Seth Rich’s brother made a plea to Hannity to stop pushing conspiracy theories about the murder.
“Out of respect from the family’s wishes for now, I am not discussing this matter at this time,” Hannity continued before launching into a rant about the probe into potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Hannity said that Democrats and the media “have been pushing that tinfoil hat conspiracy with zero evidence.”
Though he said he would stop talking about Rich’s death for now, Hannity indicated a few minutes later that he would keep digging.
“I want to say this to you, my loyal audience, please do not interpret what I am saying tonight to mean anything — don’t read into this. I promise you, I am not going to stop doing my job. To the extent of my ability, I’m not going to stop trying to find the truth. That’s what we do here every single day. That effort is not stopping in any way, shape, matter or form,” he said. “I’m continuing the work that I promise to do every day for you and at the proper time, we shall continue and talk a lot more.”
Hannity also followed up with tweets suggesting that he was not dropping the conspiracy theory entirely.
Ok TO BE CLEAR, I am closer to the TRUTH than ever. Not only am I not stopping, I am working harder. Updates when available. Stay tuned!
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 24, 2017
Not giving up at all. I'm working harder than ever to get to the truth the family wants and deserves. Stay tuned. https://t.co/dVjWT6PZyh
— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) May 24, 2017
Conspiracy theories about Rich’s murder resurfaced recently after a private investigator alleged to Washington, D.C. Fox affiliate WTTG that Rich was communicating with Wikileaks before he was killed. A spokesman for Rich’s family pushed back on the claim, and the investigator later backtracked, however.
TiP? HitlarYs death SquaD knows the truTh. AsK thEm.
So tell me Sean, is life easier if you have a complete lack morals, ethics or compassion?
I thought I should ask someone with experience
Better idea: Just stop talking, Sean.
So do we have the spectacle here of Hannity trying to shore up his so-called credibility, or is he just Mulvaney-ating*
*Mulvaneyate, v.-To deliberately make taunting, obscenely cruel statements in an effort to prove one’s manhood.