'Embarrassing spectacle': Sean Hannity slammed for 'yucking it up while the country reels'

Arizona Republic columnist Bill Goodykoontz came away decidedly unimpressed with the interview that Fox News' Sean Hannity conducted with President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk.

Labeling the interview an "embarrassing spectacle," Goodykoontz said that Hannity "outdid himself" in terms of lobbing softball questions at the president.

He said that this was particularly tragic from a journalistic perspective because many Americans have deep concerns about the role that Musk is playing in Trump's administration.

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"There have been legitimate questions about the power Musk wields, how much oversight he is subject to, who is making decisions about the slash-and-burn approach his DOGE group is taking to the federal government," he argued. "But Tuesday, with Hannity's gentle assistance, it was one hearty slap on the back after another. Just three ol' pals yucking it up while the country reels."

Goodykoontz also took a shot at Fox News writ large for the interview, as he ridiculed the network for featuring a chyron that read, " "Elon Musk responds to the left's smears."

"Good thing Fox News dropped that whole 'Fair and Balanced' motto a few years ago," he quipped.

Goodykoontz concluded his column by questioning what, if any, news value such interviews have for viewers.

"It's hard to know what the purpose of the interview was," he wrote. "Although it did bring up a question. If the U.S. had state media, what would the difference be?"