Fox News scolds its star Sean Hannity for appearing at Trump campaign rally, referring to press as ‘fake news’

Fox News scolded its top star, Sean Hannity, after he appeared alongside Donald Trump onstage at a campaign rally and referred to the press corps as “fake news”.

The network called Hannity’s appearance at the event in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, an “unfortunate distraction” and said it had been addressed.

Fox News did not say if he faced consequences for the transgression.

“Fox News does not condone any talent participating in campaign events,” the network said in a statement. “We have an extraordinary team of journalists helming our coverage tonight and we are extremely proud of their work.”

Hannity went onstage at the Trump rally after tweeting earlier in the day that he was just there to interview the president. He was followed by another Fox News host, Jeanine Pirro, both of whom gave remarks from the lectern backing the president.

Hannity also mimicked one of the lines that Trump frequently delivers at rallies: He pointed toward the press in the back of the room and called them “fake news”.