Fox News personality Sean Hannity was widely mocked after he told former South Carolina Republican Governor Nikki Haley—a 2024 presidential hopeful—how he "trains" for mass shootings with mixed martial arts.
Hannity's remarks—in which he mentioned that he has his own "personal security plan"—came just hours after a mass shooting occurred in Lewiston, Maine, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people.
The shooting spanned two different locations: a bar and a bowling alley, with numerous individuals sustaining injuries in the incident, according to law enforcement sources. The shooter is still at large and a manhunt is underway.
You can hear what Hannity said in the video below.
Hannity said:
“And then I always ask the question ― when something like this happens, what is your plan? What do you do? I have a personal security plan. I train in mixed martial arts."
“I’ve been a big believer in the Second Amendment for a long time with the prayer that I would never have to use it.”
Hannity's remarks, particularly his mention of MMA training, drew criticism and mockery from social media users who questioned his response to the tragic shooting.
During the interview, Hannity asked Haley about the underlying causes of shootings in America, to which she responded by advocating for "serious law and order," the defunding of sanctuary cities, and addressing the mental health challenges facing the nation.
He also complained about people who would "politicize" the incident, taking a swipe at advocates who've reignited their calls for comprehensive gun control measures to address the spike in mass shootings.
Hannity also said he "can literally probably count the seconds before an incident like this becomes politicized and that part of it I never like," adding that demanding gun reforms is not the solution and "won't bring back lives."
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram