The contentious rivalry between Fox News’ opinion programming and its news department was on full display Friday, as host Sean Hannity clapped back at his colleague, anchor Shepard Smith, a day after Smith slammed Hannity and the entire network’s opinion programming, calling it strictly “entertaining.”
In a lengthy interview with Time, Smith — who recently signed a multiyear contract with the network — said that part of the reason he’s staying put is because of “what would go in [his show’s] place.”
The Fox News anchor then took a swipe at the network’s opinion programming, saying they don’t “really have rules” and exist “strictly to be entertaining.”
Unsurprisingly, Hannity, the network’s primetime headliner, had something to say about that.
On Friday, Trump’s cheerleader-in-chief, aired Fox News’ dirty laundry on Twitter, calling Smith “clueless.”
“While Shep is a friend with political views I do not share, and great at breaking news, he is clueless about what we do every day,” Hannity wrote. “Hannity breaks news daily-Warrant on a Trump assoc, the unmasking scandal, leaking intel, Fisa abuse, HRC lawbreaking, dossier and more REAL NEWS! 9p”
Smith has been known to veer from the conservative network’s talking points over the years, especially when it comes to Donald Trump, which contradicts fellow Fox Newsers like Hannity and the “Fox & Friends” crew.
The public spat between two of the network’s most visible stars has now ensnared other network anchors as well.
Laura Ingraham called Smith “inconsiderate and inaccurate,” while Geraldo Rivera tweeted: “Shep Smith @shepnewsteam is greatest living breaking TV news anchor. @seanhannity is nation’s most powerful political commentator But he’s become Best Sourced most effective journalist probing #RussiaGate breaking more Legit News than most investigators including #WAPO & #NYTimes.”
Shep Smith @shepnewsteam is greatest living breaking TV news anchor. @seanhannity is nation's most powerful political commentator But he's become Best Sourced most effective journalist probing #RussiaGate breaking more Legit News than most investigators including #WAPO & #NYTimes
— Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) March 16, 2018