New text messages show Sean Hannity privately warning about January 6 – while he was promoting the event on his show

The congressional committee released text messages from Sean Hannity that appear to contradict his public message – and show him coordinating deeply

Written by John Whitehouse

Research contributions from Rebecca Martin & Madeline Peltz

Published

The congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol has requested an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, and also released several text messages of his:

In particular, the committee released a text message from Hannity to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows on December 30, 2020, that read:

We can't lose the entire WH counsels office. I do NOT see January 6 happening the way he is being told. After the 6 th. [sic] He should announce will lead the nationwide effort to reform voting integrity. Go to Fl and watch Joe mess up daily. Stay engage. When he speaks people will listen.

The committee released another text from Hannity to Meadows from January 5th, 2021, in which Hannity wrote, “Im very worried about the next 48 hours.”

As he was sounding this alarm in private messages, Hannity was also promoting Donald Trump's January 6 event.

On his Fox News show on January 5, Hannity gushed about both the event and the efforts of his guest, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), to object to and possibly overturn the election results.

From the January 5, 2021, edition of Fox News' Hannity

SEAN HANNITY (HOST): Also, developing tonight -- tomorrow, Sen. Ted Cruz and about a dozen other Republicans, they are promising to vote against certification. They are demanding audits of the 2020 election. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz joins us. Senator, thank you for being with us.

Big day tomorrow, big crowds apparently showed up to the point where the West Wing could hear the music and the chanting of the people that were there already. And this all kicks off in the morning tomorrow.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): Well, Sean, that's right, and tomorrow is an important day. We have an obligation, I believe, to protect the integrity of the election and to protect the integrity of the democratic system.

Hannity did not directly respond to the request on today's radio show; Fox News' program Special Report read a statement from Hannity's lawyer, Jay Sekulow.