Some Fox News viewers were left fuming after Senator Josh Hawley made what many called a hypocritical statement live on air during a Hannity interview about Dr. Fauci, with viewers taking to social media to slam the politician
Josh Hawley spoke with Hannity about Dr. Fauci's testimony(Image: AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
Fox News viewers have turned against one of the network's guests after he made what many are calling a hypocritical statement during a live broadcast.
Senator Josh Hawley joined Fox News' Hannity to weigh in on Dr. Anthony Fauci's appearance at a highly charged Senate Homeland Security subcommittee hearing. Throughout the proceedings, Dr. Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times, sparking fierce debate throughout Washington, D.C.
The hearing, spearheaded by Dr. Fauci's vocal critic, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), centered on the origins of COVID-19, pandemic lockdown policies, and recently disclosed entries from the Chief Medical Adviser's personal diary. It comes after Fox News viewers called Donald Trump "pathetic."
Throughout the committee proceedings, Dr. Fauci declined to respond to questioning, expressing concerns that Republican lawmakers were orchestrating a "perjury trap" designed to wrongfully prosecute him. In his opening remarks, he condemned the hearing as an "unhinged obsession" solely intended to land him in prison, reports the Irish Star.
Additionally, given that Joe Biden issued Fauci an unconditional pardon in early 2025 covering any federal crimes from the preceding 11 years, Republicans contend he can no longer invoke self-incrimination protections. Following the hearing, Senator Josh Hawley sat down with Sean Hannity to discuss the day's proceedings.
The senator slammed Fauci(Image: Fox News)
As the chyron, "Fauci pleads the Fifth to questions asked by Senator Hawley," appeared at the bottom of the screen, the member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee declared, "Think about this. A million Americans died, and what was Anthony Fauci doing at work? Anthony Fauci was out trying to get awards for himself, taking a million dollars in money."
Senator Hawley was referring to Fauci's 2020 nomination for the prestigious Dan David Prize, a globally recognized award based in Israel. Fauci went on to win the accolade in 2021, receiving a $900,000 personal cash prize.
During the hearing, Hawley read aloud an email from one of Fauci's staffers, which stated: "We're working on this nomination for the Dan David Award for Fauci. We need to beef up the COVID part."
Additionally, Senator Hawley claimed that Fauci had pursued at least eight separate cash awards and honors, including prizes connected to the Partnership for Public Service, the Adelson Prize, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Academy of Medicine, and the CDC Foundation.
Dr. Fauci had to testify in front of Congress(Image: AP Photo/Allison Robbert)
It was at this point that Senator Hawley made a remark that prompted Fox News viewers to turn on him. "It was illegal, Sean. It was illegal to solicit this money. He did it anyway. That's yet another one of his crimes," he stated, before concluding, "There is nothing lower than that-getting rich while other people are suffering and dying."
Fox News viewers were quick to call out Senator Hawley's closing remarks as deeply hypocritical, with one furious X user posting, "Do these people hear themselves? ? ? ? ? ?"
Another chimed in with, "Every accusation is a confession! !" while a third X user fired back, "Um, would you like to tell that to your dear leader?".
"He's quite right. I suggest he look toward the White House," added a fourth, as a fifth Fox News viewer concluded, "Read the room. Trump and Republicans like YOU are getting rich while the American people suffer, you complete nimwit.
"No health insurance. Unaffordable groceries. Higher Medicare Part D premiums. Lack of housing. Rents rising higher. Are you stupid or what?"
