Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Bosom buddies

OK, it may not be bosom. They're up each others ass.
The phone calls between President Trump and Sean Hannity come early in the morning or late at night, after the Fox News host goes off the air. They discuss ideas for Hannity’s show, Trump’s frustration with the ongoing special counsel probe and even, at times, what the president should tweet, according to people familiar with the conversations.

[...]

The revelation this week that the two men share an attorney is just the latest sign of how Hannity is intertwined with Trump’s world — an increasingly powerful confidant who offers the media-driven president a sympathetic ear and shared grievances.

  WaPo
Two lawyers in common, as it turns out.
Hannity offers what [Trump] prizes: loyalty and a mass audience. And Trump, in turn, has directed his supporters to Hannity’s show — urging people on Twitter last week to watch the commentator attack special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who heads the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.

[...]

“The president sees him as an incredibly smart and articulate spokesman for the agenda.”

Trump and Hannity usually speak several times a week, according to people familiar with their relationship. The Fox News host, whose show averages more than 3 million viewers daily, is one of the few people who gets patched immediately to Trump. The two men review news stories and aspects of Hannity’s show, and occasionally debate specifics about whatever the president is considering typing out on Twitter. There have also been times when Trump has assessed the merits of various White House aides with Hannity.
No wonder Trump thinks he doesn't need a chief of staff.
Another regular topic: venting about the Russia probe and senior Justice Department figures such as Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein, who oversees the investigation, the advisers said.

On air, Hannity has accused Rosenstein of launching a “war” on Trump and called Mueller part of “deep state crime” family.

“Sometimes, Hannity gets him fired up,” the adviser said. “But Hannity also reminds him of what his base thinks.”

Hannity’s journey into Trump’s political sanctum took a decade to develop. The two became friendly before Trump became president, when Hannity would occasionally venture to Trump Tower to interview him, according to a Hannity producer who traveled with him.

[...]

Hannity’s relationships with Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, have served as the “glue” of his relationship with the president, one White House official said.

The two men appreciate Hannity bringing them on his program and recognize how those appearances have been important for their own profiles, the official said, noting that Hannity was a constant presence with the family at debates during the presidential campaign and widely liked by Trump family members.

[...]

[Trump (and Hannity) attorney Michael] Cohen appeared on Hannity’s TV show three days before Trump’s inauguration last year. Hannity pressed him on one issue: Given that Cohen was Trump’s personal attorney, “Can I assume that in that role, not being a government role, that you’d have attorney-client privilege with President Trump?”
Yeah, boys. How'd that work out? Mr. Cohen maybe needs to go back to law school.  Maybe he can study in jail.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

No comments: