Vivek Ramaswamy brands Sean Hannity ‘fake news’ after spectacular trainwreck interview as they fall out over Israel’s response to Hamas terror atrocity

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called Sean Hannity “fake news” Thursday night after their televised interview.

Ramaswamy has risen in the polls as he portrays himself as an aggressive candidate in the mold of former President Donald Trump.

But he clashed with another pillar of the modern Republican Party over foreign policy, the Middle East, his ability to govern and his relationship with his nomination rival.

Specifically, Hannity cited comments he made recently accusing Republicans of “selective moral outrage” and suggesting that demands for action against Hamas after the attack on Israel were due to “economic and corrupting” influences.

It’s not much of a leap to interpret those words in line with a long history of anti-Semitic claims made by those on the left and right who see strong Jewish influence in everything from politics to the film industry.

Ramaswamy took exception to Hannity’s line of questioning, saying he fell in line with big money and the mainstream media.

“I enjoy this. How many times do you laugh about the fake media in recent years,” he said.

“And now you buy into the mainstream media narrative when you know how corrupt it is.

“This is a corrupt game. PAC super puppets are a problem.’

Hannity fired back.

“Did I or didn’t I do your exact words,” Hannity asked.

“About Azerbaijan and Armenia,” he said. “Absolutely, on a different topic where people should get their own information instead of it being filtered through centralized media.”

Their interview contained a subtext about the future of conservative broadcasting and power shifts in Trump’s world: Ramaswamy made his initial comments in an interview with ousted Fox host Tucker Carlson.

Ramaswamy has made a name for himself through combative TV appearances and debate shows, and is clearly positioned in MAGA land.

After the interview he took to X, officially known as Twitter, to speak his mind.

“For years, Sean Hannity has railed against ‘fake news.’ I guess that’s done,” he posted.

“My comments about the lobbyists were about Azerbaijan, not Israel. This interview was sponsored by Nikki Haley.’

The initial televised debacle involved a dispute over the former US ambassador to the United Nations and Ramaswamy’s opponent for the Republican nomination.

“Why would you call Nikki Haley corrupt?” Hannity asked.

“If you’re making money from your time in government, then I don’t think you’re fit to be president of the United States,” Ramaswamy responded.

“A lot of people think you’re not qualified because you weren’t even a Republican or voting Republican until 2020?” Hannity said.

“Well, Sean, it depends what your goals are with this interview,” Ramaswamy replied. “I voted libertarian in my first election, I voted Republican in 2020.

“You’re right, I’m not a party hack. I come in from outside. I am an independent patriot who speaks the truth.’

X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, filled with comments from conservatives who relished the confrontation.

Some mocked Ramaswamy, while others applauded Hannity’s behavior toward a candidate.

His supporters pointed out that Hannity had done an on-air burn on Trump’s frequent guest.

At one point he said, “I think people like you who have never held public office are perhaps not qualified to be president.”

Trump had never held public office before winning the 2016 election.