By Salma El-Sakka
Fox News host Sean Hannity used his first program after the midterm elections to deliver a forceful defense of the Iran war and launch a personal attack on newly elected Senator Abdul El-Sayed. Democrats seized control of the next Congress in what analysts described as a "blue tsunami," flipping key Senate seats in traditionally Republican states and winning historic gubernatorial races.
Hannity Calls El-Sayed 'Crazy' After Victory Speech
El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat from Michigan, became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. In his victory speech, he addressed President Donald Trump directly: "I know you struggle with my name, so after [Vice President] JD [Vance] swears me in in January, you can just go on and call me senator." Hannity responded on air Wednesday: "We'll just call you crazy, because you are." The host dismissed calls for bipartisan cooperation, declaring, "Those days are gone."
Trump's Earlier Attacks on El-Sayed
During a late October rally in Port Huron, Michigan, Trump demanded El-Sayed pass through metal detectors at the Capitol if elected, calling him a "Jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member." El-Sayed has vehemently denied any ties to the organization. Hannity did not reference Trump's rhetoric when criticizing the senator-elect.
Host Stands By Iran War Despite Electoral Fallout
Hannity gave full-throated support to the eight-month conflict with Iran, which analysts credit for soaring gas prices that contributed to Republican losses. "The Iran war — yes, I absolutely stand by. It was the right call to prevent the Iranians, the radical No. 1 state sponsor of terror, from getting nuclear weapons," he said. Hannity acknowledged the war caused "a headache for Americans at the pump" due to "indecisiveness" that prevented a quick resolution, but argued Democrats exploited the issue and Republicans must now "fix that problem."
Hannity and Trump React to Defeat
The host vowed not to retreat, saying, "I'm not going to Ireland because of one election-year loss. These things sadly are cyclical; it is predictable." Trump, in his first public appearance since the results, focused on construction of a White House ballroom and suggested willingness to work with Democrats while remaining uncompromising on immigration and transgender policies. He emphasized his veto power as a check on the new Democratic majority.
