Fox Information’ Sean Hannity on his unlikely relationship with Gavin Newsom: ‘We simply hit it off’

Sean Hannity and Gavin Newsom are an unlikely cable information bromance.

The conservative Fox Information host and the Democratic California governor are ideologically polar opposites. However their current joint appearances — an hourlong sitdown in June and a prolonged interview after the second Republican presidential candidates’ debate on Sept. 27 on the Ronald Reagan Library — provided a sturdy however cordial dialogue of points, a rarity today in a media panorama the place politicians and advocates are extra comfy preaching to their very own tribes.

Hannity, who usually cites California’s issues with crime and housing as a logo of all that’s improper with the Democrats, was even singing praises for In-N-Out Burger at his second interview with the governor.

“From the primary time we met we simply hit it off and there was a sure relationship that developed that that was like, ‘Oh, come on, you don’t imagine all that,’” Hannity mentioned of Newsom in a current interview at Fox Information headquarters in midtown Manhattan. “It was all the time pleasant and by no means contentious. You’ll be able to say something to him. You’ll be able to have enjoyable with him.”

The success of their current conferences prompted Hannity to show it up a notch. He invited Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, operating for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, to debate on his program.

Hannity negotiated the phrases and particulars instantly with the political rivals, who will meet Thursday in a 90-minute showdown at 6 p.m. Pacific on Fox Information.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets donors earlier than talking on the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley on March 5. DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, will face off in opposition to California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in a debate hosted by Fox Information’ Sean Hannity on Thursday.

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Instances)

The matchup is uncommon from a TV information perspective as a result of it’s uncommon for 2 politicians not operating in opposition to one another to be given such a high-profile discussion board. (Fox Information is asking it “The Nice Crimson vs. Blue State Debate.”)

The final memorable instance was on Could 15, 1967, when a earlier California governor, Ronald Reagan, appeared with Robert F. Kennedy, then representing New York within the U.S. Senate, to take questions from college students finding out abroad for a full hour on CBS.

“Neither of them have been operating at the moment,” mentioned Larry Sabato, director of the College of Virginia Heart for Politics. “They each have been bold and all people suspected they’d.”

Each males did pursue the presidential nominations of their respective events the next yr, with Kennedy’s surging marketing campaign ending when he was assassinated simply after profitable the California Democratic main.

However it was Reagan who burnished his nationwide status on the 1967 program, because the polished former actor displayed a agency grasp of worldwide affairs. The second helped set him on his path to the White Home in 1980.

On Thursday, Hannity will query the dueling governors himself — with out an viewers — in Alpharetta, Ga.

Hannity, 61, is the longest tenured host in cable information historical past with 26 years on Fox Information. He has survived the most important scandals which have hit the group over time, comparable to Fox’s $787.5-million payout to Dominion Voting Programs to settle a defamation case over the community’s reporting on former President Trump’s inaccurate claims of 2020 voting fraud. Hannity was not among the many hosts named as defendants within the case, however his present was cited by Choose Eric Davis for airing false statements.

Loyal Fox Information viewers, who are likely to shrug off adverse tales concerning the community, have caught with Hannity. In October, his program was probably the most watched cable information present amongst viewers ages 25 to 54, the demographic most desired by advertisers.

This week’s debate affords the chance for Fox Information to host an attention-generating TV occasion that doesn’t contain previous controversies and will draw elevated sampling from viewers who don’t share the worldview of its provocative hosts.

To make sure, whereas Hannity likes Newsom personally and respects his political abilities (“I warn conservatives and Republicans, you’d higher take note of this man”), he wouldn’t be comfy having him within the Oval Workplace as a result of their coverage variations.

On most nights, Hannity’s program is a one-sided affair, with the host typically pounding away at what he calls the unconventional left and President Biden’s cognitive capability. At a current broadcast, the host warmed up his viewers with an impersonation of the president, reducing his head and shuffling throughout the studio flooring.

It raises the query why Newsom would wish to interact in a possible two-on-one state of affairs the place he’ll be the lone liberal.

Nathan Click on, an advisor to Newsom, mentioned the governor is totally conscious of the problem.

“We’re beneath no illusions,” Click on mentioned. “This can be a two-on-one match with the refs within the tank for the house crew. However Gov. Newsom has lengthy believed that Democrats need to go on offense in enemy territory, and that’s precisely what he intends to do.”

Hannity has given assurances he gained’t be the wrestling referee who seems to be the opposite means whereas one of many brawlers brings a metal chair into the ring. He famous that Newsom was happy with their first interview.

“I stored my pledge to present him a good shot and let him reply,” Hannity mentioned. “If I’ve one aim entering into, it’s that folks stroll away and say, ‘Wow that was , spirited, wholesome informative debate.’”

Mike Murphy, a screenwriter and longtime Republican political advisor, mentioned there’s worth in Newsom’s willingness to seem in a doubtlessly hostile surroundings as he builds a nationwide status.

“There’s a sense typically amongst Democrats that no one goes into the Fox lion’s den with a giant stick and fights again, so I believe he thinks he may assist the broader trigger whereas serving to himself,” Murphy mentioned. “I’m all the time in favor of seize a microphone and go on offense so long as it’s reside TV and no one can edit it.”

Hannity interviews Newsom after the second Republican presidential main debate on Sept. 27 on the Reagan Library.

(Fox Information)

Newsom has mentioned up to now that he watches conservative media. He could also be higher acquainted than most Democrats, as his ex-wife is Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former co-host of the Fox Information panel present “The 5” who’s now engaged to Donald Trump Jr.

Hannity recollects Newsom visiting Guilfoyle on the community’s places of work and studios.

Whereas Murphy thinks Newsom’s upcoming look may also help pave the highway to a future White Home run, he believes there’s short-term danger for Democrats. The governor’s smoothness and on-camera vigor might invite extra dialogue about Biden’s age — the president turned 81 on Nov. 20 — which has develop into a big problem amongst pollsters and pundits.

DeSantis is utilizing the occasion to advertise the concept Republicans must be ready for a situation the place Biden shouldn’t be the nominee in 2024.

“He [Newsom] is operating a shadow marketing campaign,” DeSantis advised “Fox & Mates” final week. “Even individuals in his personal celebration are saying that a variety of Democrats wish to transfer Biden out …. You would have Newsom. You would have a variety of totally different individuals. However I believe it’s vital that Republican voters get the sense that we might not be operating in opposition to Biden.”

Whereas Newsom has been steadfast in his help of a second Biden time period, his political motion committee has been operating its personal adverts criticizing the Florida regulation DeSantis signed that bans abortion for pregnancies longer than six weeks. Newsom’s lively position as a Biden White Home surrogate has led to criticism that he’s being distracted from coping with state enterprise.

However DeSantis is now not the Republican juggernaut of six months in the past, when he entered the race as one of the best likelihood for the celebration to maneuver on from former President Trump. DeSantis has fallen behind former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley in some polls and didn’t get any bounce from the three GOP main debates held to date.

Click on mentioned Newsom’s workplace was “shocked” when DeSantis accepted the controversy problem, which Newsom issued months in the past.

“The truth that he lastly accepted as his marketing campaign was circling the drain reveals simply how dangerous DeSantis must distract from his catastrophe of a candidacy,” Click on mentioned.

A spokesperson for DeSantis didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Hannity believes DeSantis has the identical qualities of Newsom — good and likable — though that evaluation doesn’t seem like backed up in polls. Based mostly on chats along with his viewers, Hannity has his personal idea.

“They like each Trump and DeSantis, however they need they weren’t butting heads just a little bit on this main,” Hannity mentioned. “Perhaps the ballot numbers are extra reflective of ‘no, this actually must be Donald Trump’s likelihood,’ after having a contentious 2020 election with COVID in play.”

Hannity seems energized by the exchanges with Newsom and the upcoming debate. He mentioned he would do extra applications with Democratic politicians if might get them to say sure.

“You’d be stunned what number of don’t wish to come on,” he mentioned.

However Hannity additionally acknowledges that audiences have moved towards shops that align with their very own opinions.

“If you’d like [a Democrat’s] view, they’ve their locations to go,” he mentioned.