- Sean Hannity texted Mark Meadows a clip of Mitch McConnell condemning Donald Trump after January 6.
- "Well this is as bad as this can get," Hannity wrote to Meadows.
- The texts, obtained by CNN, are among thousands that Meadows turned over to the January 6 committee.
Fox News host Sean Hannity appeared dismayed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riot, according to a new text message reported by CNN on Monday.
Hannity texted White House chief of staff Mark Meadows a clip of McConnell condemning Trump on the Senate floor on January 19, 2021, and added: "Well this is as bad as this can get."
McConnell that day offered his strongest condemnation of Trump since the riot took place, pinning the blame on the president for the violence.
"The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people," the Republican leader said in a video posted on Twitter by The Recount, which Hannity texted Meadows.
"They tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the federal government, which they did not like. But we pressed on. We stood together and said an angry mob would not get veto power over the rule of law in our nation," McConnell added.
The text messages, obtained by CNN, are among thousands that Meadows turned over to the House select committee investigating the Capitol riot. Hannity exchanged texts with Meadows multiple times between Election Day 2020 and President Joe Biden's inauguration.
As the riot unfolded, Hannity urged Meadows to get Trump to stop the violence, according to text messages previously revealed by the January 6 committee.
"Can he make a statement? Ask people to leave the Capitol," Hannity wrote to Meadows.
In a text sent on January 5, 2021, Hannity wrote: "Im very worried about the next 48 hours."
In light of the texts, the January 6 panel earlier this year sent a letter to Hannity asking him for an interview as part of its investigation. Hannity's lawyer told CNN at the time, "We are reviewing the committee's letter and will respond as appropriate."
A Fox News spokesperson did not return Insider's request for comment.
—The Recount (@therecount) January 19, 2021
