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Ainsley Earhardt
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Sean Hannity
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Ainsley Earhardt
a little bit that you feel like you don't deserve that.
Sean Hannity
I just never had it before. I'm never lonely because I'm always busy. But then when somebody else adds so much to your life, it just is that much greater. She's tricking me. She's making me say stuff I've never said before.
Ainsley Earhardt
How often do you talk to your friend Donald Trump?
Sean Hannity
I've told you more than I've told anybody publicly. This has not worked for me, you know, I want to know more about your story. Tell me more about.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, no, this is about you.
Sean Hannity
What happened to this interview? Take your thumb, stick it in their eyes.
Ainsley Earhardt
Have you ever killed somebody?
Sean Hannity
If you come down.
Ainsley Earhardt
That's not answer, sunshine. Hi, Ainsley. Look, I know we don't serve a queen, but our language did come from Britain. Language is important. Do you see the smile on his face? Do you see that confidence? You're running for president, aren't you?
Sean Hannity
You really want me to answer?
Ainsley Earhardt
Show
Sean Hannity
this isn't what you want to put this on? I don't have an email account. I don't have a computer.
Ainsley Earhardt
Who doesn't have a computer?
Sean Hannity
Me.
Ainsley Earhardt
But is. So there's a reason for this. So no one can.
Sean Hannity
Yeah, I got. I mean, if you get enough preservation orders in your life, I'm like, I'm done. The answer is I don't have it. I've never turned on the cloud to my phone ever. I don't have a cloud. I don't Have a cloud account every day. I erase every text message I have. I do not have text messages with anybody.
Ainsley Earhardt
Are you kidding?
Sean Hannity
No.
Ainsley Earhardt
Did something happen? Is there trauma in your life you want to talk about?
Sean Hannity
It's not as bad or as sinister as you think. No, I just realized that.
Ainsley Earhardt
Smart.
Sean Hannity
This. It's such a litigious society. I mean, after. Especially after 2020. I mean, they were after me. Like, they were so after me. I'm like, excuse me, I'm in the media. It's none of your business. My. I'll tell you exactly what happened. I shouldn't put that there, right?
Ainsley Earhardt
No, go for it. It's fine. We just. Look, we. We thought about bringing tables with us.
Sean Hannity
So when you have 12 or 1500 text messages, like I had with me and Paul Manafort being released to the public, my private text messages, and then during the J6 hearings, my text messages with Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, Kayleigh McEnany, all released, I said, I had enough. I'm done. And so I didn't save anything. Now, they didn't get any of them for me anyway, because I would never hand it over. But for. I felt like that is such an invasion of my privacy. There's a great backstory to it, though. When they released, I think it was the Manafort text message exchanges. You know, all of a sudden, my producer comes in, my radio producer, and says, turn on CNN and msnbc. They're talking about you. I'm like, okay, what did I do now?
Ainsley Earhardt
Right?
Sean Hannity
What did I do this time? And they're like, sean Hannity, Paul Manafort, all the text exchanges. And then the best, best, best part of the story is. And they would conclude, oh, my God, he really believes this shit. Although they didn't say shit. It sounds like his monologues on tv. Now I infer from that maybe the stuff they're saying, they don't believe.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes, exactly.
Sean Hannity
If it sounded different, you know, then you would say, oh, he's a phony.
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly.
Sean Hannity
So. But when they were all concluding, wow, it sounds analog, I'm like, yeah, well, that he's genuine.
Ainsley Earhardt
This is terrible thing, that he's genuine about what he said.
Sean Hannity
I mean, I'm a real conservative. I believe what I say. I don't. Not contrived. I think that's one of the problems we have today. I think a lot of people looking for clicks to build an algorithm, because they monetize it and they'll say anything, and the angrier they are and the more personal attacks they make. I'm not in that space, I'm. You know what? I let my. I've been doing radio since 1987. Before you were born to write. We're on 760 stations. Even Dave's laughing. We're on SiriusXM. We also put that on a podcast. I've been on FOX since the day went on the air. 30 years.
Ainsley Earhardt
30 years. This year?
Sean Hannity
Yeah.
Ainsley Earhardt
Gosh. One of the OGs.
Sean Hannity
If I had two books to write Sage, and I'm not writing another one, I've written four. One would be An Undeserved Life. The second would be Everything I Wanted To Say But Knew would Get Me Fired.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, God. So you're writing that, right? And on the day that you step away.
Sean Hannity
No, I just like the title to make people think that everything I want to say, I say.
Ainsley Earhardt
How often do you talk to your friend Donald Trump?
Sean Hannity
I never disclose that. Okay.
Ainsley Earhardt
You are friends, though. Isn't that a fair way to describe your relationship with him?
Sean Hannity
I talk to him often. I'm going to be with him in China. I'm going on the China tour.
Ainsley Earhardt
Wow. Talk, slash text. Communicate. You communicate.
Sean Hannity
Yeah. A lot. I do, you know, but it's not the way most people think. I mean, it's like these ridiculous comments that people make that Bibi Netanyahu convinced him to go to war with Iran. That's not. No. Donald Trump listens to everybody, but he is a man of his own mind. Do I have a friendship that I can be honest with him and give him my opinion? Yes. He's the president.
Ainsley Earhardt
Sure.
Sean Hannity
He was elected to be the president. He's the one that makes that decision. And he's got very good instincts. And I think he will go down in history as consequential, transformational.
Ainsley Earhardt
Absolutely.
Sean Hannity
And he has hard decisions to make. I think it's the hardest job in the world.
Ainsley Earhardt
Absolutely. And I always wonder who the heck would want that because of your friendship. How difficult is it to not criticize? But if you. If there's something out there that you don't agree with, how he said something, which, hey, that's up for debate with pretty. Pretty much every day on Truth, Social or whatever it is. But I. But it, to me, would feel difficult to be constructively critical.
Sean Hannity
But I'll give you an honor. I'll give you a recent example. Remember the Rob Reiner. When Rob Reiner died and he made
Ainsley Earhardt
those comments that upset me. That upset me.
Sean Hannity
Okay. I called him and it just so happened. Melania was there. I said, put me on speaker. Really? Really. Like, this is I talked to him.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
New York as I am. I said, we don't need to hear every single thought that goes through your head. Yeah, we just don't. And I said, the guy's dead.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
He goes, he hated me, so he's gonna be himself anyway. It doesn't matter what anyone says. I think to hear a little pushback in a moment like that is good.
Ainsley Earhardt
But now, why wouldn't you do it on the air?
Sean Hannity
I would if I felt it was needed. For example, I think I probably did
Ainsley Earhardt
well because with Mueller, for example, when Mueller died and my goodness, that man put. That, put the Trump family through hell. And I saw same page times, a thousand. And to say, tweet, post, I'm glad he's dead. That, to me, is where you go for all those people of the fringe. Then you wonder why they go. I just. Stephen A. Smith admitted that the reason why he couldn't vote for Donald Trump is because of things like that, which I think is weak sauce. But whatever.
Sean Hannity
My point is, I am so over it, though.
Ainsley Earhardt
And the thing is, just because you are critical doesn't mean you, you don't support. Because I completely support him. Would vote for him every single day, like, forever. And please just stop with that stuff, because there's hatred in that.
Sean Hannity
It would be, I think, in his best political interest at times and maybe win other people over. However, you know, it's, it's, it's very. I want the authentic, unique guy with every war and every, you know, blemish, because we all have them. And I would be lying to you if I feigned outrage or offense at any of it, because none of it outrages me and it doesn't outrage everyone that's so critical of him. They're full of, to use my New York term, they just bull. It's bullshit. They're not outrage. They're not. They feign phony outrage, you know, for themselves.
Ainsley Earhardt
I do think that journalistically, it can be. It can be tough. And it's different if you are a reporter and you're at the White House. That's the thing.
Sean Hannity
I'm a conservative talk show host with an opinion.
Ainsley Earhardt
You need to give your opinion. So that's what I think people need to remember is it is different than someone who has to report the news. You're going to report the news.
Sean Hannity
I could produce thousands of hours of straight news.
Ainsley Earhardt
I'm reporting, and you give the news and then you give your opinion. And I think that that's something people don't understand. The difference with I do think that where sometimes it can be tough, you know, from those on the outside looking in. Not that we always care what they think, but it is interesting to at least understand where they're coming from is, no, we're not just all in bed with the Republican Party. And we're going to like, what is that line? And when we can at times say, yeah, I support the man. He's the right person for this job, the only person, and this could have been done better.
Sean Hannity
Just be honest and what bothers you and what doesn't. I mean, and Donald Trump is fine with that, too. I don't think any of that affects him, but I will for myself. I have been my entire career a committed conservative. Liberalism, to me, has caused great damage to this country. The presidency of Joe Biden created caused great damage to this country. So a few offensive words or positions. I know people acted outraged, what he said on Easter Sunday. And they're all, you know, feigning outrage. I don't believe them. They bubble and fizz like Alka Seltzer and water. I think a lot of people want, especially in this space, this podcast space,
Ainsley Earhardt
well, that's a whole different world where right now there's such divisiveness. I don't.
Sean Hannity
Do you give a shit? I don't care what they say.
Ainsley Earhardt
I'm. But the future of the Republican Party. Can MAGA exist and the Republican Party, like, right now, there's a. There's a fracture there. And can we in 2028, continue this thing if those two sides don't stop doing this?
Sean Hannity
That'll work itself out.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
I have a funny feeling how it plays out, but I will save that for a different day. I walked in this room with no idea what we're going to talk about. You trust, though, the only thing we have to get into this interview.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes. No.
Sean Hannity
What do you mean, no? You don't even know what it is.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah, I do.
Sean Hannity
You do?
Ainsley Earhardt
I think it. I think it's about.
Sean Hannity
You think. You know?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
Okay. I knew you were getting. Getting engaged the day before because we were doing a test run of me doing a podcast because I wanted to do one, and you were gracious enough to come on, and you were great.
Ainsley Earhardt
I was honored to finally meet you in person. It was like, oh, come on.
Sean Hannity
I was honored to meet you.
Ainsley Earhardt
It meant the world to me. I was nervous.
Sean Hannity
Oh, come on.
Ainsley Earhardt
Swear to God, I was so nervous.
Sean Hannity
Nervous?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah. The fact that you. That Sean Hannity knew I was getting engaged before, that was insane.
Sean Hannity
No. So I met you and your now husband.
Ainsley Earhardt
And by the way, fast.
Sean Hannity
You know what you really need to do? You've got to put your wedding pictures. I've seen wedding pictures and they're like, oh yeah, nice. Oh they're really beautiful. Yours are like they should be in a bridal magazine, like every bridal magazine.
Ainsley Earhardt
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Podcast Sponsor/Announcer
Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available@public.com disclosures Dave told you.
Ainsley Earhardt
Like, how did it come up?
Sean Hannity
So there are certain times you see people together and you just know. And there was something magical about the two of you and how you interact, interacted with each other. And I was really impressed by. I was kind of taken by it. And I have this thing I like to set people up. I like, you know, I used to have on my website, Hannah date and hundreds of people got married. I know, right? And hundreds of people got married. I'm going to bring it back, I think. And they'd meet and I don't know, but I could tell you had a really, really special connection with each other just talking to the two of you together.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
Loved him immediately. Ready? Loved you. So I was asking almost immediately, if you remember. Well, yes, but before that I was at. So when do you two get married? My.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes, that's right. And I was like, dave, yeah.
Sean Hannity
You go to the bathroom, you go to the restroom. And I said, he go. He pulled me aside and said, I'm asking her tomorrow. I knew. Before you go, the worst part of this story is I want to hear all about it. Because I'm so friggin nosy. Right. I'm a talk show host. I want to know more about it. And so I talked to Ainsley and I'm like, ainsley, they're getting married. They're really cool. You know, Sage, she knows you, loves you. And I said, he. He's a really cool guy. Really liked him. Because I, I have like this radar thing going on. I can read people like that.
Ainsley Earhardt
I love that. I love that.
Sean Hannity
Never doubt it. If you see something in people that you don't like. We're almost indoctrinated into not seeing what we see.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes. To. To not to not trust your gut, basically.
Sean Hannity
Well, yeah. And people. Well, I don't want to think the worst of people. I'm like, I can see right through that person.
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly.
Sean Hannity
You know, I will whisper to Ainsley or my kids, that person's a dirtbag. Stay away from them.
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly.
Sean Hannity
And I can size them up that quickly. I have found it's actually discernment. It's a gift. Maybe I'm wrong sometimes. Sometimes people prove me wrong. Very rarely. And I knew right away. I really like both of you together. And so when you told me that, I wanted to know, and I told Ainsley and I said, well, I want to call and ask how it went. She goes, what if he didn't ask? And I'm like, oh, shit. I didn't think about that part. That wouldn't have been a cool call.
Ainsley Earhardt
That would be bad.
Sean Hannity
That would have been bad. I'm like, well. Then I went. I needed to know. Next thing, next time I see you, you guys are married already.
Ainsley Earhardt
I know. Here's the thing. When you're. I mean, I'm three years older, so he. I know.
Sean Hannity
Wow. Robbing the cradle.
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly. That was the plan the whole time. Sean, it's a good thing I didn't know that you were Hannah, date matchmaker.
Sean Hannity
Why?
Ainsley Earhardt
I would have been like, hey, Sean, help. I would have.
Sean Hannity
Were you waiting for a long time to find the right person?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah. I'd been divorced for five years.
Sean Hannity
You were single for five years?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
Yeah, yeah.
Ainsley Earhardt
And in this business. And it's this business. What is this business that we're in? Just, you know, broadcasting and media and being.
Sean Hannity
You're in the public eye.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
Yeah.
Ainsley Earhardt
And what I found. There was one guy that I dated in. During those five years.
Sean Hannity
One in the business.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, he wasn't. He was in sports. No. Not an athlete. Hell, no. Don't even. But I. What I realized is that. Especially when you were controversial, which I went from being normal and not controversial to controversial overnight, you're normal.
Sean Hannity
You're not controversial.
Ainsley Earhardt
And that and the sports industry. Right. If you are anything but one side,
Sean Hannity
and if you don't want to take an experimental shot. Bingo. Which it turns out, you were right. They were wrong. I mean, that was terrible.
Ainsley Earhardt
I'm no rocket scientist here to figure out, like, yeah, this doesn't make sense. So that made me controversial. And that literally made. Okay, I'm just going to do a rude blanket statement, but I'm not going to use the word I want to use. I'll wait till after because my mom would kill me.
Sean Hannity
No, go all the way.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, because it's really a foul. It's disgust. It's a foul.
Sean Hannity
Go foul.
Ainsley Earhardt
It's gross.
Sean Hannity
It's all right.
Ainsley Earhardt
It's inappropriate.
Sean Hannity
You'll get a lot more clicks.
Ainsley Earhardt
I've already been canceled. How many times? It's fine. Men Men.
Sean Hannity
Oh, are. Are.
Ainsley Earhardt
I can't say it. No, no, no. Because it's gross. Dogs, pigs, a type of kitty cat. Soft. How about that? Soft. No balls. How about that? Okay, no balls. When it comes to this being around, in my case, this is what I realized. A strong woman who's actually very traditional as well. Like, I wanted a man to lead, support me, but lead, like, masculinity is so important. And that's how I grew up with my father. And so I.
Sean Hannity
Father, by the way. Father's awesome.
Ainsley Earhardt
The best.
Sean Hannity
The picture of you and your dad at your wedding.
Ainsley Earhardt
I know.
Sean Hannity
Awesome. I know.
Ainsley Earhardt
Don't get me going again. I think that this is this whole toxic masculinity and just the feminization. It's a whole different topic, which I want to dive further into just in my career in general. But what I found was that men were. Oh, gosh, she. She. She's perceived as this now. So, no, thank you. Like, no one has any interest in me because of that.
Sean Hannity
Is it because, like, I think men. I'll go through a list. I think men are intimidated by successful women. I think men can be intimidated by outspoken women, by pretty women, by, you know, there's a lot of little checklists where. And I'm like, and you're not a confident guy. You got problems.
Ainsley Earhardt
Well, and that is everything. Because what woman, real woman, is going to be attracted to a man with no confidence?
Sean Hannity
We should bring Dave on just to show you. You married a guy's guy. He's hanging out in a T shirt, jeans. I know the sneaks, you know, which, by the way, he's pretty jacked. He's looking good.
Ainsley Earhardt
Listen, don't make his head too big, okay? Don't make it blow up too much.
Sean Hannity
I have a whole thing about this, too. What if you break down the word gentleman?
Ainsley Earhardt
Mm.
Sean Hannity
The word gentle is before man.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
And I think some men, you know, are they. You know, they think they're Bam Bam or Fred Flintstone or Dino the Dinosaur. I have no idea what they think. And they're not nice. And, you know, I know there are guys that I expect dinner on the table. I'm like, well, in my house, I actually cook dinner because I'm the better cook. All right, so we'll start there. I also believe, from a Christian perspective, is that. And by the way, I'm going to start. Disclaimer. Sorry. Don't. Don't take a relationship advice from me. However, I've gotten wiser as I've gotten older, and this is what I've learned. And this is the person that I strive to be and am becoming in many ways. But I believe that if you really love another person, you shouldn't be looking at what you're getting. You should be, what can you give, how can I serve? What can I do for you in terms of like, sorry, guys, open the door, pay for the date or don't go. You know, none of this will split the check stuff, which a lot of young kids do. Yeah, I. I do think it's better. And this is going to sound bam, bam ish and I don't really care. I think it's better when the man is the breadwinner and the provider. I think men naturally. And this is where I'm gonna have to deal with this shit after, but I don't care. I think there are natural hunter gatherers in that sense. Women have like amazing God given gifts that men don't have, generally speaking. There are plenty of exceptions to these rules. Right. So let's say that at the top, women are just more nurturing.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
More loving. You know, for example, my daughter will call Ainsley before she calls me.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yep.
Sean Hannity
I'll be next to Ainsley and she can call me now also. That's the path of least resistance. If she wants something.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
All right, that's part of it. But there's just a different bond. However, she's a daddy's girl in every way, too, which I love.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes. And then. And she always will be, by the way. I'm 53 and my dad. Absolutely. But there's a real emasculation, I think, and it is so much more costly than people understand. Not just to the man, to the kids, to the woman. And I don't. People don't want to touch it, but it needs to be discussed.
Sean Hannity
See, I also think if you're in the public eye, it brings a whole other element, you know? Now I know your husband, so I know he's a secure guy.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
Okay. For a lot of men, if they're with a famous woman, you're a star. Publicly, you are a star. Okay.
Ainsley Earhardt
Strong word, Sean. I don't agree. But I'm now more so than espn. Crazy enough. Recognizable more now. And it's something that I was worried about because it is a thing for men. And I remember for years and years and years, I'd always try to just minimize it because I didn't want my husband to feel intimidated or fill in the adjective. I don't know. I don't have to worry about that with Him. And I think that's. It is key, actually. It doesn't work if that man isn't confident enough in themselves to understand. And for me, and I know this is how you are too. You've been in this at this level for longer than anybody, really. I'm not saying you're old, but I mean, she's just kind of old.
Sean Hannity
I didn't hear that.
Ainsley Earhardt
Just did. Just saying.
Sean Hannity
I can't believe she did that. That's terrible.
Ainsley Earhardt
People don't understand it unless they're in it. Ainsley understood, understood what she was getting into here. Right. But it isn't something that you can, you can teach. And I just, I was like, listen, keep your Instagram private, for instance. And I'm sorry for what might come. People come after him and say terrible things now they've done it to my kids. I know you've experienced that. And it's sick. So you have to have somebody who has that confidence to say, okay, all that doesn't matter. And I know that whatever attention might come your way, that you love me. And if, if you can figure that out, I will say I kind of now understand why. And I'm down here compared to you. Look at Hollywood people, whatever. You almost understand why they marry each other, because they get it. They understand what that public spotlight is like now. They never last either. So I don't know what that breakdown is, but I do think it's, it's unique. It is unique. And you have to have, you have to have those conversations beforehand, obviously. Now, this is my second marriage and you learn a lot. Most people don't realize this, but over 85% of the grass fed beef sold here in the US is actually imported from overseas. The problem with that is that it creates a system that slowly pushes out American farmers and ranchers. And that's why I've become a lot more intentional about where I buy my meat. And that's why I choose Good Ranchers. Good Ranchers partners with local farmers and ranchers to deliver 100% American meat straight to your door. It's on pasture, raised. It has no antibiotics and no added hormones. It's the kind of quality you can actually feel good about serving to the people around your table. With Good Ranchers, you're not just getting high quality beef, chicken and pork. You're supporting the people right here in this country who are doing it the right way. And for me, that peace of mind matters. So if you've been thinking about making a switch, this is a great time to just try it. So start your plan today and you will get free meat included with every order plus $100 off your first three orders if you use My Code Sage. Just go to goodranchers.com, use code sage at checkout. Again, free meat with every order and 100 bucks off your first three orders. When you start your subscription plan only this month or if you just want to try it out, you can get 40 bucks off your first order with my code SAGE. Instead, goodranchers.com, american meat delivered Support for
Podcast Sponsor/Announcer
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Ainsley Earhardt
You were married for a long I was married for 20 years to the day, the first time together from age 20 to 47. That's all I knew. You grew up with your first wife as well. Like you changed from 20 to 30, 30 to 40, 40 to 50. And then you say you take that wisdom and I learned I'm not allowed
Sean Hannity
to talk about it. So but I will just say this. I have learned a lot.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
And there's definitely, there is a factor if, if you're a public personality. Like I think the coolest thing I can tell you is obviously Ainsley's well known in her own right and you know, people may notice me and then they'll be oh, Sean Hannity, Sean Hannity. Then they'll see Ainsley and go, hold on, Ainsley, Ainsley. And all of a sudden, hey, you missed her. Can you Take a picture of me and Ainsley.
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly.
Sean Hannity
But I celebrate that. I mean, she's worked her whole life, and, you know, I'm proud of her success and proud of the work that she does. She's less controversial than me, and. But, I mean, we kind of celebrate each other's success, and we get it. And, you know, it's. All my kids have known. I've been in the public eye since they were born.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
And so they grew up with it. They're fine with it. I mean, you're cool with all this, right? You don't. Yeah, my son and daughter, usually. Because nobody can work a camera. If somebody wants a picture, I'll do it.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
It's either that or I'm gonna stand here for 10 minutes exactly. You know, they're like, wait, wait, wait, hang on. I know how to do it. Oh, how do you turn it around again, Martha? How do you turn the phone around?
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly. It's just easier. But I. I wonder.
Sean Hannity
But I'll tell you this. The minute people don't want your picture, I'm grateful, because those are our customers. Now, I. When people ask me, oh, that must be burdensome. I'm like, no. I mean, if somebody in your industry, whatever it happens to be, wanted your picture, would you say, no?
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, my gosh, no.
Sean Hannity
No. You serve your clients, your customers, you. They've given me a life that I never dreamed of. I'm grateful.
Ainsley Earhardt
It's an honor. And I think that what I've tried to explain to. To people as well. Does it get old, even to my kids, who, you know, every once in a while, the kids are like, come on, I just want to go to lunch with my mom. I get that. And I know your kids have grown up with it, but it can still be annoying and difficult on them. But how I try to describe it is okay. Sean Hannity has come into their living rooms, bedrooms. You know, sometimes we're watching stuff late at night when you're getting ready for bed or listening, whatever, and so people feel like they know you. And it is absolutely an honor, because that's a choice. They could change the channel they have chosen to watch you.
Sean Hannity
I have to earn their viewership every night. I can't force people to watch. I love when people go to me. I go to bed with you every night. I'm like, really? You're like, I didn't know that, Ainsley.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, it's not. No, it's fine.
Sean Hannity
Then they'll say, I wake up with you every morning.
Ainsley Earhardt
That's a Good one.
Sean Hannity
That's pretty funny.
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly. I do think I have seen so many people in our industry who are rude about it, who aren't nice, who don't take that moment. And yes, you might be in a rush, but when you forget where you came from, that's a problem. And I don't think I ever would have become that way. I was just raised differently, and you're just grateful, et cetera. But when I did see that with people that I looked up to, certainly espn, et cetera, it's like that's the opposite of how I want to be. It's good reminders along the way to be kind. These people are the reason why our kids have the life, the lives that they have, and family, like, a lot of people benefit from this because those people made a choice.
Sean Hannity
Yeah.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
Well, I mean, that's why I say they're our customers. We. My dream. When I first got behind a microphone, the light went on, and my life changed, and that's all I wanted to do. I never wanted to do anything else. And they make that dream come true if they tune into the radio show, if they watch the TV show, they watch the podcast. You know, that is what I love to do, sitting here with you. I love being here. This has not worked for me. You know, I want to know more about your story. Tell me more about.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, no, no. This is about you. You're.
Sean Hannity
Listen, what happened to this interview?
Ainsley Earhardt
No, absolutely not. You're really good at flipping. This is why you're Sean Hannity, because you can flip it. And I have questions about you because I never get to ask you questions. Oh, boy. I know.
Sean Hannity
Fire away.
Ainsley Earhardt
Well, first of all, one of the things that struck me so much the day that you found out I was getting engaged before I did is what I was hoping. Like, my impression of you from afar and my hope when I met you in person was. It was fulfilled that immediately because you're literally a regular person, a regular guy. Look, jeans, tennis shoes, like you are.
Sean Hannity
This is me every day, chill and casual.
Ainsley Earhardt
And by the way, with your. With your new podcast, he dressed as
Sean Hannity
cooler than I do, though.
Ainsley Earhardt
Again, we're going to have a problem. Sean, bring him back down. You are the most welcoming, genuine superstar in our business that I think I've met. And it was just. It was refreshing because you know how it is. And to the point where I think I. I read that you think all tuxedos should be burned. Right? Is that true?
Sean Hannity
Yes.
Ainsley Earhardt
Explain.
Sean Hannity
Fox made me wear it. I was the emcee of the last two FOX Patriot Awards.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
Which I'm honored to do because it is such a cool event and we honor the unsung heroes in life and people that would never get recognized never get credit. It's not that self congratulatory BS that you, you know, at an Emmy Awards or the Oscars, whatever. And we honor real heroes. So I'm really cool. But this is how I dress. Although there are changes. I mean, I do have a fiance and I will ask what would you like me to wear? Because this does not fit every situation and you know, is it really that big a deal, you know, to put on a different pair of pants on a nicer shirt? Not really.
Ainsley Earhardt
And this is the wisdom that you've gained where you just decide, say, okay, what do you want me to wear? Yeah.
Sean Hannity
You know, the other thing I learned, I, you know, I learned that I argue for a living and can argue for a living and oftentimes you argue and you win the argument, but you lose the war, you know, And I don't know, my faith, to be very honest, everything to me is like, goes back to faith. My belief in God, my Christianity. And I honestly just am at a point in my life that I'm grateful for things that I don't think I deserved in my life. I think of my parents, my grandparents, they were all poor and the hard lives that they had and how they all sacrificed for me and my sisters. I know I stand on their shoulders
Ainsley Earhardt
and
Sean Hannity
it doesn't give me a right to complain. Whenever I would see, I went to Walter Reed or Bethesda or. And I used to go a lot with Ollie north and we'd go together and I'd walk out of there embarrassed that I thought I had problems in life. Those are people that have real problems in life and they may not get their leg back. They may have to, you know, restart their lives and facing difficulties or challenges or, you know, friends of mine that get diagnosed with a really severe cancer and now they're in the fight for their life and some of them don't make it.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah, perspective.
Sean Hannity
I don't know it's called perspective. But you know what, you have it. You talk about meeting me, but to meet you, what I knew about you from afar was amazing to me. You know, the fact that you had the courage, the strength, the fortitude, the toughness. Most people in our industry would never do what you did. And that was take a stand. You didn't take one stand, you took two stands. And one was on the COVID shot and the other was on a political position you took, and other people were giving out commentary and you were willing to lay it all on the line for your deeply held personal beliefs. That is the embodiment of courage to me. And I think courage is one of the greatest attributes you can have in life, and I really admire you for it. So meeting you is an honor. Also, learning from people that are courageous and put it all on the line. Those are the people I admire the most. The people in our military, the 911 heroes. You go through the list of people that you meet in life.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
So, I mean, we have a lot to be grateful for.
Ainsley Earhardt
So much, so much. And I think so often, pretty much every day, about the what if. I may have told you this before, maybe it was on your show with Billy Bush. It almost makes me shudder to think of what if I had just continued to shut up and stay silent out of fear and to get that paycheck, you know, I would not be talking to you. That's for darn sure. Listen, he might be. No, I'm not Stephen A. Stephen A's allowed to. There's the Stephen A. Rules and there's everybody else. Oh, we talked about that because I had him on my show recently, and we laughed about it. And he's like, well, you know, I
Sean Hannity
go, well, why not on his show? He was on your show.
Ainsley Earhardt
He was on mine.
Sean Hannity
Yeah. Steve's one of my close buddies.
Ainsley Earhardt
I know you guys go way back.
Sean Hannity
He loves you.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah, and I love him, too. And it was actually so cathartic to sit down with him and talk for almost three hours. It was really. It was emotional. It was beautiful. There's a deep friendship that goes back almost 20 years now. But I would never have been allowed to talk to you, for sure. I would never have been able to be on Trump Force One the night of the election, the night before the election. I would never have met. I would never have met my husband. My life would be so different. So I hope that people.
Sean Hannity
I forget. How did you meet him?
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, God. See, no, this is. You're in a Flip it again. No.
Sean Hannity
You notice I have no say on this show.
Ainsley Earhardt
It's the best story ever.
Sean Hannity
Oh, come on. You can't tease your audience.
Ainsley Earhardt
You know, the day. The week after our wedding, which was September 5th, I should say two days before our wedding, he surprised me. He and David, my producer, surprised me and sat me down in my makeshift studio in Nashville before we had this new one, and he interviewed me. He sat in my chair and Interviewed me and went deep on a whole bunch of stuff. And he really did well. I was like, you know what? You're too good at this. You can leave now. I need a job and switch.
Sean Hannity
Because I'm used to interviewing.
Ainsley Earhardt
I know it's very uncomfortable, and I will say that. Go Back to the September 10th, whatever it was, episode where he asked me questions. We both were sobbing at one point. It's really sappy. But we do go through how we met, and I don't want to take up my Sean time to explain that.
Sean Hannity
No, no, no. But it was like, take your time. I want to hear every detail.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, no, no.
Sean Hannity
Everyone. All right, now can we do.
Ainsley Earhardt
Damn it. Like, don't do it.
Sean Hannity
Before you do. Before you tell the story. Now, what I am going to strongly suggest.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, boy.
Sean Hannity
Is that you have got to intersperse as you tell this story.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, I'm not telling it.
Sean Hannity
Well, first of all, you have a. A beautiful picture of you two on the beach getting engaged.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
Okay, number one, then. I'm not saying this because you're my friend and I love your husband. I'm not. But your wedding pictures are sick. It is like Bridal Magazine 101, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Ainsley Earhardt
I'll say this. We plant 200 people, black tie. Even women wear black dresses. I don't want your hot pink showing up. I have a vision this time. And we planned it. Black tie, 200 people in four and a half months.
Sean Hannity
Crazy.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, it was insane. It was ridiculous.
Sean Hannity
So it was four more than I did he. After the.
Ainsley Earhardt
After. Yes, exactly.
Sean Hannity
You were even married before I got to know you got engaged. The next time I saw you, I went right up to, how'd it go?
Ainsley Earhardt
How'd it go? He's like, well, we're married.
Sean Hannity
No. Wrong. Wrong answer. The first thing I said to Ainsley, I told her you were going to be on, and she said, I want to know what happened. I said, you know. And she goes, look and see if she has a ring on.
Ainsley Earhardt
Guys don't do that. Girls do that.
Sean Hannity
I didn't think about that.
Ainsley Earhardt
I know. Exactly. And he did.
Sean Hannity
I did say to her, like, I hate jewelry. I don't wear jewelry. I don't wear watches.
Ainsley Earhardt
Are you gonna wear one this time?
Sean Hannity
I had no choice.
Ainsley Earhardt
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Sean Hannity
I said, what am I wearing to the wedding? I just asked.
Ainsley Earhardt
Is it a tuxedo?
Sean Hannity
Yeah, I did ask if I could not wear that stupid bow tie thing.
Ainsley Earhardt
Cumberbun. Are you doing that?
Sean Hannity
I have no. I don't even know what one is.
Ainsley Earhardt
I can't.
Sean Hannity
You know, that's.
Ainsley Earhardt
Well,
Sean Hannity
no.
Ainsley Earhardt
Whatever. He.
Sean Hannity
He wore.
Ainsley Earhardt
You enjoy dressing up. He bought. He bought that tuxedo that we wore at our wedding to go to the inauguration with me. He had the inside whatchamacallit. Just the inside of the jacket. What is that? Just the inside. Okay. The lining. That's a tough word for me.
Sean Hannity
Like the American flag. Like Pete Hegse.
Ainsley Earhardt
No. Republican like the elephant red, white and blue. And he came to D.C. to meet me for the inauguration and surprised me. And I was like, that's love. So I was like, how much did you spend on that? You're wearing it for the wedding. We're gonna recycle.
Sean Hannity
Oh, really?
Ainsley Earhardt
We're gonna recycle this? Okay, enough, enough. We're not doing this. You're really, really good. So what I'm saying. Yes. What I was saying was the regular guy, Sean Hannity, also, I feel like it all makes sense with your perspective, with your humility because of the way you started. And I actually wrote down because I couldn't even believe how many different jobs you had. Newspaper delivery boy, dishwasher.
Sean Hannity
I was eight when I delivered papers.
Ainsley Earhardt
Eight with his first job. Eight? Yeah. Newspaper dishwasher.
Sean Hannity
12.
Ainsley Earhardt
Cook.
Sean Hannity
13.
Ainsley Earhardt
Busboy.
Sean Hannity
15.
Ainsley Earhardt
Waiter.
Sean Hannity
16.
Ainsley Earhardt
Bartender.
Sean Hannity
17.
Ainsley Earhardt
Illegal criminal.
Sean Hannity
It was illegal. All true. But the legal age was 18, so it was just a little early.
Ainsley Earhardt
Okay, fine. Painting houses. Hanging wallpaper, which, by the way, I'm doing. I need a lot of wallpaper help in Nashville now, if you're not busy.
Sean Hannity
I got so good at hanging wallpaper.
Ainsley Earhardt
Grass cloth or just wallpaper?
Sean Hannity
Oh, no, I could do real deal grass cloth. I could do string cloth. Grass cloth. I could do real cross, you know.
Ainsley Earhardt
When's the last time you hung wallpaper, Sean?
Sean Hannity
It's been a long time. However, I was really good at it. I mean, I'd get like $200 to do a bathroom. I'd knock it out in two and a half hours. You know, I love the whole creative process of doing amazing. And because you have to know where the last piece is going later. For example, have you ever hung paper?
Ainsley Earhardt
No, I just hire. No, but that scares me because you scares everybody. And I was like, it's worth paying you because if I screw that up.
Sean Hannity
Right. Like for. If you get pre pasted wallpaper. If you get the cheap stuff.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
What people don't know is as soon as it dries, you're going to see the seams. So you have to actually put the equivalent of Elmer's glue, but it's a liquid paper paste, so this way it won't separate. When it's done, you have to make sure your wallpaper is only going to look as good as your wall prep.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
So you have to prep the wall out. Are you laughing? Now?
Ainsley Earhardt
If you do.
Sean Hannity
Or string cloth, which is. You cannot get any wallpaper paste on it.
Ainsley Earhardt
Exactly. It shows zero.
Sean Hannity
So you have to be really good at it. I learned from A friend of mine I went to high school with, he went to the Vermont school. Wallpaper, paper hanging. I ended up making a fortune. But then I also wanted to be
Ainsley Earhardt
grass cloth in my new dining room. Oh, okay, wait, go back.
Sean Hannity
Wait, I'm looking at it now.
Ainsley Earhardt
Did it go?
Sean Hannity
Yeah, it's good.
Ainsley Earhardt
Is that good?
Sean Hannity
Who's doing that? The professional?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah, he's really good. And the whole family. You should see the stuff in the powder room.
Sean Hannity
First of all, why he's down on the ground is silly. You should have a table.
Ainsley Earhardt
You should have a table.
Sean Hannity
Yeah, I had a table.
Ainsley Earhardt
I know.
Sean Hannity
At one point.
Ainsley Earhardt
Did you ever have it like a dream or a thought about doing any designer TV shows?
Sean Hannity
No.
Ainsley Earhardt
You should. Can you imagine Sean Hannity hosting his own show on hgtv?
Sean Hannity
Well, I'm in the middle of my house looks like Gaza right now. Because I'm in the middle of. I'm in the middle of a home construction project that's pretty massive.
Ainsley Earhardt
And you're not hanging the wallpaper. Are you standing over that? Being critical, I hope.
Sean Hannity
No. And one of the contractors says, oh, Mr. Contractor. Because I'm like, the people, you know, they're so slow. And I don't understand slow. Like, I also loved. I really. When I was in construction, I went to school in Rhode Island. I've been to school, college twice, didn't finish, ran out of money. And then I go back to work because I paid every penny myself. And so at one point, I went to a college, but it was a technical college. I wanted to be a contractor. Then the contractors found out I can paint, hang wallpaper, and lay tile, and they gave me more work than I ever dreamed of. And I'm like, guys, I can't go to class and do all this work.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, my gosh.
Sean Hannity
Their answer was no. No worries. We'll give you an A. I'm like, I want to learn to build a house.
Ainsley Earhardt
We'll give you an A.
Sean Hannity
We'll give you an A. Oh, my gosh. Because. But I was making them a ton of money. They all had private, you know, their own business on the side, on top of teaching at this college. They didn't care about teaching. They wanted. That was just an extra way to make money.
Ainsley Earhardt
But you've worked your butt off since you were eight. Where does that come from, you know?
Sean Hannity
Well, first of all, I kind of raised myself, and I don't want this to be misinterpreted. My parents, much greater people than I am. My dad grew up dirt poor, in bed, stuy in Brooklyn. My mom grew up in the South Bronx, dirt poor. She was the valedictorian of our high school class. She was brilliant. She could do the New York Times crossword puzzle in ink every single day and finish it. You ever try to do one?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah, I don't even try.
Sean Hannity
It's like, impossible. Yeah, she was very. She was just very learned. But she didn't. College was not. That wasn't part of the equation for them. But being a civil servant was the next level up from where their parents came from. All four of my grandparents came from Ireland, and they came here with no money and. But it was a big deal. My dad grew up in the Depression, fought in World War II. He signed up, came back, and when he got a 50 by 100 lot house, a typical Levitt style house, it was just a small little Cape Cod of. I went back once with CBS Morning show and looked at it now. They added a whole second. They had a second floor with one of those slanted roofs, like this tiny. It was a tiny house. And my room, I went in there. I'm like, this was tiny. I didn't know it was that small.
Ainsley Earhardt
Mm.
Sean Hannity
Three older sisters, one bathroom, which is hell on earth. So your camera guy's laughing. All right, I got somebody. It really was. However, they were working all the time.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
My dad was a probation officer for family court and then was a waiter on the weekends, which got me into the restaurant business. My mom was a prison guard and work 16 hour shifts pretty much all of her life. My dad died six months after I started at Fox. My mom, not that long after. They had the hardest life. They really did. They never really. They never had a new car. They never took a. We took one family vacation for three days that was like a motel in the Hamptons or something. We never went on a family vacation. That wasn't part of the equation. We didn't go out to eat ever. That I can really recall. But because they weren't around, I got to live my life my way. I raised myself. And because I had money, like I. To this day, I mean, like my best friend from grade schools, John Gomez, he could not believe it. I'd walk in, you know, in grammar school, you know, and this is what it was like when I was a kid. Sean and I still carry that.
Ainsley Earhardt
There's 20s on the outside, but on the inside, let me tell you. Yes.
Sean Hannity
Here are the hundreds. There you go.
Ainsley Earhardt
People don't even like cash anymore. Oh, thanks. I'll take it.
Sean Hannity
So. But I always had Cash like that. And. But you know what the cool thing was? I got to buy my own food. Whatever I wanted. I wanted to eat pizza. I went to a deli. I'd get these. Remember the old Italian bread?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes.
Sean Hannity
I would get that with roast beef, lettuce, tomato, mayo, salt and pepper, and I'd eat the whole thing. I'd go home with that or five pieces of pizza. I mean, I. At that point in my life, I could eat whatever I want. Now I only eat meat and eggs. And I loved having money. I would go to school and my best friend growing up from third grade on, John Gomez, we're friends to this day. And he would bring in fried chicken or barbecue chicken. His dad would make. I didn't know at the time. His dad always sent extra in for me. And John would want to eat that crap pizza in the cafeteria. And I would give him money for the crap pizza. I would take the chicken.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, my gosh.
Sean Hannity
But. And then I'd go home with all this great food because we didn't sit around at 6 o' clock and have family dinner.
Ainsley Earhardt
They were working.
Sean Hannity
They were working.
Ainsley Earhardt
And your sisters are older.
Sean Hannity
They were older. And like, occasionally they'd make like a meatloaf, which is garbage. I hate meatloaf now. I like it. But I make a better one than they did. And then when I was 13, the stuff I learned to cook at 13, seafood fra diablo, shrimp scampi, live stuffed lobster, fettuccine Alfredo. All of this stuff. I was making it all. And I learned. I love cooking. I love moving.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
I love. Like when I was washing dishes, I had to move up. They didn't have a machine. I did it all by hand. I moved fast. What I liked about painting and hanging paper and laying tile and doing construction is I like to move. When I was tending bar, I'd get an hour before my shift and I'd be cutting. We were known for frozen drinks and strawberry daiquiris, banana daiquiris, margaritas. No other bartender like making them. I loved it. And you had to make them all individual. You have to put it in a blender.
Ainsley Earhardt
You like the detail?
Sean Hannity
Loved it.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
And I liked that. Bar was big. There were two of us working. We had three restaurant rooms. I mean, and sometimes they were packed to the brim. You had to move your ass. There were nights I'd come home with a few hundred dollars in cash, just in tips for the night. And I was a kid in high school. It became a problem, by the way.
Ainsley Earhardt
What do you mean?
Sean Hannity
Because the Bar. Last call was at 4:00am you know, and I'm 17. I was even a junior at that time. And then.
Ainsley Earhardt
So you're in high school, work until 4 in the morning. Bartending.
Sean Hannity
Yeah. And then at 4, lock the door. At 4:30, I'd go to the diner. And then most days, I'd wait till my parents went to work. Then I'd go home and go to sleep. When you have a bad story?
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes, please.
Sean Hannity
I don't think I've ever told it publicly. No. I might have, maybe. So senior year, high school, I was naturally, you know, bright.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
You know, like if I knew I had a test the next day, I would just. At 2 in the morning, when the bar would calm down, I'd open the book and I'd read a chapter or two and then say, okay.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, my gosh, I'm so jealous.
Sean Hannity
I did not. I never, never did homework. I would say, my entire school career, except for when I went to college, I got serious and I became a Dean's List student. Wasn't that hard. It was so easy, it was ridiculous. So that really sounds arrogant. Take that out. Take that back. All right. So it's my senior year in high school and my poor mother. I can't believe I did this to her. We get called in to see the dean of students, guy by last name Leitner. Turns out he projected a tough image, but he was actually pretty cool. And so I have no idea what this is about. My mother has no idea what it's about. She's asking me on the way in, what is this about? I'm like, I have no idea. I know. I don't know. And we go in, we sit down. She's in a prison uniform because she's leaving that meeting and she's going to the jail. And Mrs. Hannity, this is just before Christmas of my senior year in high school. I don't know if your son's gonna graduate. Mother looks at me like that. I'm like, oh, shit. And she goes, are his grades not good? I've seen his report card. The report card looked okay. I don't know. He. Since September, he's missed 37 days.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, my goodness.
Sean Hannity
Yeah, that was not good. That was not a good day in my life.
Ainsley Earhardt
What did she do?
Sean Hannity
She just looked at me. I don't. I'll never forget that face. To this day, 37 days. I said, Ma, I close the bar at 4am I start at 4, 5pm I go eat breakfast, wait for you to leave, and I can't I'm exhausted. And so we're, like, arguing. This guy is looking at this poor, nice, old kind of short Irish lady. And I could tell he felt horrible for her, not for me, because he's thinking, oh, this poor lady is dealing with this incorrigible SOB kid. So my mom very cleverly said to him, okay, he will not miss another day. I will drive him to school every day from now until graduation. I will drop him off right in front of your office and watch him walk into your office. And the guy said, fine. A little problem with that. She would drive me every day. I would walk in, I would check in with him, and then she would pull away. I would go to homeroom, check in. Then before the first class, I'd make my way to the other end of the school. I'd walk out. I'd hitchhike home. What?
Ainsley Earhardt
Hitchhike home?
Sean Hannity
Well, I've said many times on the air I was an incorrigible child. I really was.
Ainsley Earhardt
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Sean Hannity
Hitchhiking was, you know, back then. It was kind of normal.
Ainsley Earhardt
It was just normal. Yes.
Sean Hannity
It wasn't that. So I'd hitchhike home and I'd go to bed.
Ainsley Earhardt
You'd sleep because you've been working all night.
Sean Hannity
And then I'd go back to work the next night.
Ainsley Earhardt
So you missed another 37 days.
Sean Hannity
More. one point, he pulled me aside and said to me, do I look stupid? No. I remember what he did. He did say to me, do I look stupid? He brings me in his office. At that point, I smoke cigarettes. He smokes cigarettes. He hands me a cigarette in his office. I'm like, yeah, you know.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, my gosh.
Sean Hannity
True story. And that's why I said he was kind of a cool guy.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah.
Sean Hannity
Everyone was afraid of him. I was not afraid of him.
Ainsley Earhardt
You weren't afraid of anything. It feels like.
Sean Hannity
No, no. Fierce doesn't. I'm not afraid. Fear not. Let not your heart be troubled.
Ainsley Earhardt
Very nice.
Sean Hannity
Right.
Ainsley Earhardt
Full circle.
Sean Hannity
Words of Jesus. Okay. And he goes, really? I said, I know your whole routine. You come in, you check in, you walk out. He said, I'm not gonna call you out on this. He goes, but I'll say this. You better find out from those dopey friends of yours whenever there's a test, and you better show up and you better pass the test or you won't graduate. And he just kind of let me go. I think he realized school was not my number one interest. It wasn't like I was getting in trouble. Although tending bar at 17 and 18, probably not the best environment to be in. I actually walked away from that on purpose, which is when I made a transition to construction. Because that life is not. It wasn't leading down a good road for me. Because every night is a party. It just becomes one.
Ainsley Earhardt
And the cash is great. And then you're young, with a lot of money in your pocket.
Sean Hannity
Well, the money part wasn't the problem. The stuff. Everybody at the bar wants to party with the bartender. And if I did, every shot that somebody bought me, you would never be able to walk. It'd be impossible.
Ainsley Earhardt
You might not be here right now.
Sean Hannity
No. So you do a shot, take a sip of a beer, spitting it out. You know, there are all sorts of tricks and. But he saw that I was working. I think he saw some value in that for me, saw that I would work with him, saw that I could Pass the test. Felt. I think he felt really bad for my mother. I don't think he wanted to bring my mother back and put her through the horror of that she went through
Ainsley Earhardt
that day, knowing how hard she was working.
Sean Hannity
He knew it.
Ainsley Earhardt
See, I love that human element that he had for her and for you. I mean, especially when he brought you back in and. Here, sit down, here's a cigarette. My mom has a story like that where she was smoking a cigarette with her principal too. My mother's half Irish, half Italian too. You would love her. We'll have to make that happen because
Sean Hannity
I'm dying to meet her.
Ainsley Earhardt
I mean, the visual of that and it, you know, very different time. My mom's obviously older than you and that. Can you imagine that happening today? I mean, instead they're trying to chop off body parts. It's very different.
Sean Hannity
It's worse on the smoking part. My parents smoked like my mother smoked Palm Malls for a long time. Non filtered cigarettes. But they smoked from the time I was young. I remember 12 years old, because at that point I was washing dishes, there'd be cigarettes on the table. I would take one out and smoke in front of them.
Ainsley Earhardt
At 12, they let you. They didn't care.
Sean Hannity
What were they going to do?
Ainsley Earhardt
Well, they're your parents.
Sean Hannity
Well, another story if you really want another one. My mother said to me once, I remember, she's like, do not leave this house. I looked at her, I'm like, you can't stop me.
Ainsley Earhardt
Oh, my God, I would have beaten you.
Sean Hannity
She couldn't catch me.
Ainsley Earhardt
Okay?
Sean Hannity
I was a good athlete.
Ainsley Earhardt
First things first. Yeah.
Sean Hannity
But as I was leaving. Wait till your father comes home.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yes, that's the line.
Sean Hannity
Oh, I got the belt a lot.
Ainsley Earhardt
Do you really?
Sean Hannity
Oh, ton from your dad all the time. And I can look back on it. First of all, I'm not damaged. I turned out okay. Wasn't the worst thing in the world. I mean, we, we like baby our kids.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, I can't stand it. I completely believe in spanking. Well, I never did.
Sean Hannity
Interestingly. I never. I did never spank my kids.
Ainsley Earhardt
They were perfect.
Sean Hannity
No, not at all. I took their shit. Whatever they liked, I took it. No, my son like PlayStation. Yes, I took it. He liked his little games. I took it. And I also put them in their room and locked the, you know, lock them in there. And I'd be like, you're in prison for the next 12 hours.
Ainsley Earhardt
The next 12 days.
Sean Hannity
Yeah, whatever. Yeah, you know, until they were. Until they break.
Ainsley Earhardt
Until you gotta break them. You gotta Break them. I had to do. To do that with one of them this past weekend, actually. Break them.
Sean Hannity
How old?
Ainsley Earhardt
20.
Sean Hannity
What did she do?
Ainsley Earhardt
I can't. I can't.
Sean Hannity
Oh, come on. Is that bad?
Ainsley Earhardt
No, not even that bad. Here, here's what it is. And whether they're 20. Mine are 20, 22 and almost 24. Or 2, 4 and 6 back in those days. I mean, honestly, the, the. The respect is what it comes down to.
Sean Hannity
She was being respectful.
Ainsley Earhardt
Yeah. Disrespectful. And I'm out. I. I like. I'm done if it is. It is not. That's what I always tell them. It is not usually your words. It's how you use them. It's the tone.
Sean Hannity
So what did you do?
Ainsley Earhardt
And then I'm done. Well, it goes back to when she was three. I'd say two, three. And.
Sean Hannity
Well, I think you're holding on to
Ainsley Earhardt
this a bit long for 17 years. No, this is the example about. About spanking and how you must set the tone for any young parents out there. If you don't set the tone early on, you're screwed. And it's going to be your own fault big time. Honestly. So I remember she. And she's the third. Right. And I had. When she was born, my, my. My third was born. My first was still three. So they were very close together.
Sean Hannity
That's hard.
Ainsley Earhardt
I don't remember half of it. I'm still tired.
Sean Hannity
When did you become single then? How old were they then?
Ainsley Earhardt
13. 15.
Sean Hannity
17 hard years for that to happen.
Ainsley Earhardt
Very, very, very hard. And they've done well, relatively speaking.
Sean Hannity
They have a great mom and they have a great stepdad.
Ainsley Earhardt
They like him more than me, that's for sure. And I don't blame them. And I don't blame them.
Sean Hannity
No, my kids, like, it infuriates me.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, don't.
Sean Hannity
Everybody in my life, honestly, that knows Ainsley likes her better than me.
Ainsley Earhardt
She is just sweet and kind.
Sean Hannity
There you go. See?
Ainsley Earhardt
But you're sweet and kind, too. I didn't say I liked her more. I have spent much more time around you. So if I can balance that out, then I'll make a choice.
Sean Hannity
Spend an hour with her. It's over. I lost.
Ainsley Earhardt
Okay. I like that you just admit. Just don't even try. When Evan was three, two to three, we were. I was trying to get her in the bathtub and she was, you know, just a little attitude. And as that third kid, chip on her shoulder, you know, the youngest, and she mouthed off about something and she was getting ready to get in the tub. So, you know, this big. And she was naked, and I was. I got on her eye level and I said, don't say it again. And she said it. And I just.
Sean Hannity
I admire that. I admire that.
Ainsley Earhardt
I've always said it's going to serve her well someday. Just not now. Just not now. And just never to me. Never to me. What's that whole line? I brought you in this world, I will take you out, and I will. I will gladly do it. I'll go to prison over. I don't care. So I got on her eye level, and she did it again. And I just took my hand and I smacked. I don't even remember. I honestly don't even remember. Smacked. And it wasn't a bad word. It was just. Don't say it again. Yeah, mouth and off. And I smacked her little butt. And because it was on skin. It sounds worse than it is. She let out a. It was a tap, but it was this on skin, bloody murder scream. And she's like, you hit me. And I got her this close, and I said, I didn't hit you. Your brother might hit you. I spanked you. There's a difference. And when you're disrespectful, you're going to get spanked. Her eyes got that big, and then I walked away, and she got in the tub.
Sean Hannity
Did you spank her? Seventeen years later, I punched her. You did not punch her.
Ainsley Earhardt
I wanted to, but I did. I didn't.
Sean Hannity
All right, what did she do at 12? Now I want to know.
Ainsley Earhardt
She will literally never talk to me.
Sean Hannity
Like she had to kiss a boy.
Ainsley Earhardt
What?
Sean Hannity
She was with someone.
Ainsley Earhardt
I'm sure she has never done that.
Sean Hannity
Yeah, okay.
Ainsley Earhardt
She's that Ole Miss. She's a sophomore sorority girl at Ole Miss.
Sean Hannity
Okay?
Ainsley Earhardt
So definitely, I'm just pretending like that this whole life isn't happening.
Sean Hannity
I do the same thing.
Ainsley Earhardt
I do think it is so important to set the tone so it isn't beating your child. It's not at all. But I do. I mean, the discipline matters. And then people are like, I'll put them in timeout. And then they, oh, okay, let them go. Like, who's in charge here? So she. So, no, no. He just doesn't. He will bring you down. You're gonna. You're gonna leave me.
Sean Hannity
I just got done telling you that I hitchhiked, that I cut school, that I was tending bar and I was smoking in front of my parents at 12. And now you can't tell me what you did, yo.
Ainsley Earhardt
Because that's about her. If you want to ask me question,
Sean Hannity
the terrible things I did, I was incorrigible.
Ainsley Earhardt
I was perfect.
Sean Hannity
Were you really? Well, you. No. I bet you were a good kid.
Ainsley Earhardt
I was so annoyingly good, I regret it. I want to start over. I want to do over. Yes, it was annoying. Wait, do you agree, like, if kids don't. To all the young parents out there, it isn't about dominance. It's not that. But it is about structure and boundaries and accountability. And if you don't follow through as a parent, what you said and also admit when you're wrong, I mean, I think that that matters tremendously. But in that moment, I will say her eyes got really big and she shaped up, and it didn't happen. Now there's other things that every kid's gonna do. And then I walked away, and I was like, that's pretty good. I was pretty proud of myself. And then I walked five more steps and went, oh, no. Oh, no. Did I abuse her? Like, we always have questions, and to this day, do we handle things the right way? Your daughter's 24. Do you handle things right? We don't know. You do your best, but I do think when.
Sean Hannity
Let me ask you a question about me, because I think you're smarter than I am on this. So how did the person that I described to you my life growing up, how is it possible I became the worst helicopter parent in the world?
Ainsley Earhardt
You did horrible. That's because you know what they could potentially do because you did it. But they.
Sean Hannity
Well, in fairness to me, they both were athletes, and I did invest in their sports, and that did consume every tennis. Right. Every weekend. And they were both, you know, played D1 college tennis. But I was all over.
Ainsley Earhardt
You knew the potential. You knew the potential of what's out there. Do you know my daughter? Exactly. My daughter, the one that's almost 24, said not the other day a couple months ago. She. I mean, we're pretty much best friends now, which is the point you hope to get to with your kids, right?
Sean Hannity
Yeah.
Ainsley Earhardt
And she said to me, and I mean, we go at it still, and she's like, mom, I hated you. She's like, you weren't evil, but you were close to evil. She's like, I was so scared of you because I was just consistent and tough.
Sean Hannity
I like that.
Ainsley Earhardt
And I screwed up a lot, for sure. But I'm just saying, like, she knew the line, and she'd come very close to crossing it. But she said you were not evil, but close to evil. And I hated you. And she goes, and I'm going to be even tougher than you.
Sean Hannity
That's a great compliment.
Ainsley Earhardt
It really was. When there's been tears and questions, because all mothers and fathers do that. But kids do want structure. They're not going to ask for structure at that age. They're not going to ask for rules and accountability. But they want it, I think, beg for it without verbally saying it.
Sean Hannity
They need to be loved. And one of the biggest mistakes parents make is. She's tricking me. She's making me say stuff I've never said before. I've told you more than I've told anybody publicly. This has not worked for me, you know, I want to know more about your story. Tell me more about.
Ainsley Earhardt
No, no, this is about you.
Sean Hannity
What happened to this interview?
Ainsley Earhardt
Best interview ever.
Sean Hannity
Take your thumb, stick it in their eye.
Ainsley Earhardt
Have you ever killed somebody?
Sean Hannity
If you come down.
Ainsley Earhardt
That's not answer, sunshine. Hi, Ainsley. Look, I know we don't serve a queen, but our language did come from Britain. Language is important. Do you see the smile on his face? Do you see that confidence? You're running for president, aren't you?
Sean Hannity
You really want me to answer?
Ainsley Earhardt
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Episode Title: Sean Hannity on the Call He Made to Trump, the Texts That Got Released and the Life Nobody Knows About
Date: May 27, 2026
Host: Sage Steele (represented in conversation by Ainsley Earhardt for this episode)
Guest: Sean Hannity
This episode features an in-depth and candid conversation between Ainsley Earhardt ("filling in" as interviewer with Sean Hannity) and Sean Hannity himself, focusing on his deeply personal philosophies, privacy habits, storied media career, close relationships (especially with Donald Trump), and reflections on upbringing, masculinity, parenting, and hard work. The tone is honest, playful, and reflective, often veering into moments of self-deprecation and vulnerability that Hannity claims to rarely express publicly.
On the Release of Private Texts:
“They’re talking about you. I’m like, okay, what did I do now? … And then the best, best part of the story is… oh my God, he really believes this shit. …Now I infer from that maybe the stuff they’re saying, they don’t believe.” — Sean Hannity (03:20–04:39)
On Supporting Trump Authentically:
“He hated me, so he’s gonna be himself anyway. ...We just don’t need to hear every single thought that goes through your head.” — Hannity recounting his message to Trump after controversial comments (07:37–08:01)
On Media Personas:
“I’m a conservative talk show host with an opinion.” — Sean Hannity (10:04) “A lot of people looking for clicks… I’m not in that space.” — Sean Hannity (04:52)
Describing Traditional Values:
“Women are just more nurturing. Men are better when they provide.” — Sean Hannity (24:12–24:20) “If you really love another person… you shouldn’t be looking at what you’re getting. You should be: what can you give, how can I serve?” — Sean Hannity (23:52–24:12)
On Children and Parenting:
“One of the biggest mistakes parents make is… they need to be loved. …Kids do want structure. They're not going to ask for structure at that age...But they want it.” — Sean Hannity (73:21)
On Faith & Gratitude:
“My belief in God, my Christianity ... I know I stand on their shoulders and it doesn’t give me a right to complain.” — Sean Hannity (36:18–37:04)
The conversation blends warmth, playful banter, and depth. Hannity reveals rarely-shared vulnerabilities, his gratitude for what life has brought him, and a drive rooted in both faith and the hardships of his working-class childhood. Ainsley gently but persistently probes for the “life nobody knows about,” resulting in a portrait that’s both relatable and revealing for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
End of Summary