Unlike many in conservative media, Sean Hannity refuses to call for MSNBC host Joy Reid to be fired over a series of controversial blog posts.
In a statement posted on his website Friday, the Fox News host referred to the news cycle domination of “comments made by TV personalities” before naming Reid and stating that she “has now apologized for her previous blogs and commentary.” (RELATED: Old Joy Reid Blog Posts Disappear From Internet Archive)
“It’s good to see Joy (who is no fan of mine) starting to take responsibility for her past remarks,” the Fox News host wrote. “My suggestion is that she follows up with the groups and people who she offended, and learn from all of this. Her apology should be accepted, and she should be given a chance to make it right, and not fired.”
Stating that he is a believer in “second chances” and “freedom of speech for all Americans,” Hannity wrote, “as the number one rated host in cable,” he wants to “take the lead” and end the pattern of media figures being essentially deplatformed for saying things people disagree with.
“And as someone who believes in forgiveness, I have to say, we have fallen short,” concluded Hannity.
In addition to controversial blog posts about homosexuality and 9/11 conspiracies, Reid also has made inflammatory comments about supporters of Israel, saying they may have “dual loyalties” and calling AIPAC a “powerful lobbying group that holds the whip hand over Republican and Democratic [sic] members of Congress alike.” (RELATED: Joy Reid Wrote About Possible ‘Dual Loyalties’ Of Israel Supporters, Said AIPAC ‘Holds The Whip Hand’ Over U.S. Politicians)