Sean Hannity loses Volvo advertising from his Fox News show amid criticism over Roy Moore coverage

The Swedish car manufacturer joins a host of brands to stop advertising on the show after the host appeared to justify defend sexual misconduct

Fox News Channel anchor Sean Hannity poses for photographs on the set of his show during happier times (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Volvo has pulled its adverts from Sean Hannity’s show on Fox News amid criticism of the presenter’s coverage of sexual misconduct allegations made against Senate candidate Roy Moore.

Last week, the Washington Post alleged that Republican candidate for Alabama, Mr Moore, pursued a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32. The story also alleges that Mr Moore pursued other relationships with women under the age of 18. Mr Moore has strenuously denied the allegations but he said on Mr Hannity’s radio show that he may have dated teenagers when he was in his 30s in the late 1970s. Mr Hannity then appeared to defend Mr Moore's reported conduct on his show last week.

“We have spoken with our media agency and have advised them to cease advertising on the show,” Volvo USA tweeted on Monday.

The Swedish car manufacturer joins a host of brands including Keurig, real estate website Realtor.com and DNA-testing service 23andMe who pulled their ads over the weekend.

None of the companies has specifically cited Mr Hannity’s coverage of Mr Moore’s alleged conduct as their reason for suspending their ads. However, several announced their decisions on Twitter in response to critical comments about Mr Hannity and an online campaign against the presenter has gathered pace.

“Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We are adjusting our media buy to no longer include this show placement,” Realtor.com tweeted.

Mr Hannity cautioned viewers of his show last week against rushing to judgment against Mr Moore.

“Every single person in this country deserves the presumption of innocence,” Mr Hannity said.

“With the allegations against Judge Moore, none of us know the truth of what happened 38 years ago. The only people that would know are the people involved in this incident.”

Speaking with a co-host, Lynda McLaughlin, Mr Hannity seemed to justify Mr Moore’s reported conduct by calling one of the encounters “consensual", something he later said in a statement “was absolutely wrong” and that he “misspoke".

The Fox News host added that Mr Moore “should step aside and leave the Senate race” if the allegations are true.

Fans of Mr Hannity attacked Keurig after the coffee machine maker announced it would no longer advertise on his show. Mr Hannity welcomed tweets from his followers depicting them smashing Keurig coffee machines in response to the boycott.

Hannity himself tweeted that he is purchasing 500 coffee makers to give away.

“I am humbled and speechless and frankly laughing my ass off,” Mr Hannity said in a tweet. “I love all my deplorable friends. Thank you and game on!!”

Volvo’s decision was announced on the same day as a further allegation of sexual misconduct against Mr Moore emerged. Beverly Young Nelson alleged on Monday that Moore had sexually assaulted her when she was 16.