Hannity: Roy Moore Has 24 Hours To Clear Up Inconsistent Story

BIRMINGHAM, AL — As advertisers began distancing themselves from Sean Hannity over his coverage of Roy Moore's sexual misconduct accusations, the Fox News host backed away from his defense of the Senate candidate from Alabama Tuesday night and demanded further explanations.

"You know I do not and will never rush to judgment, because we have seen the media and politicians get it wrong so many times," Hannity said.

But "inconsistencies" have emerged in Moore's response to recent allegations, Hannity said. The allegations include the sexual molestation of a 14-year-old girl and assault of a 16-year-old. The conservative commentator, who initially treated the accusations against Moore with skepticism, said the candidate had one day to get his story straight.

"For me, the judge has 24 hours. You must immediately and fully come up with a satisfactory explanation for your inconsistencies that I just showed," Hannity said. "The American people deserve 100 percent truth and honesty."

Hannity pointed to the fact that, in his own interview with Moore, the candidate was cagey about saying whether he had had relationships with teenage girls while he was in his 30s. He also noted that while Moore says he never met Beverly Young Nelson, the most recent accuser to come forward, she nevertheless has presented her high school yearbook which has the former judge's signature.

Moore has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual misconduct, and he has said he will go after the accusers and The Washington Post, which originally published the story.

Keurig announced Saturday it had pulled advertising from "Hannity" after several Twitter users questioned the host's coverage of the allegations against Moore. The move drew anger from conservatives, some of whom posted videos of themselves smashing Keurig coffee-makers.

President Trump believes that the Republican candidate for an Alabama seat in the U.S. Senate will "do the right thing and step aside" if recent allegations of sexual misconduct against him are true, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters Friday.

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona was one of the few lawmakers to give a decisive statement about Moore straight away.

"The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying," he said. "He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of."

Monday afternoon, Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins tweeted, "I have now read Mr. Moore's statement and listened to his radio interview in which he denies the charges. I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama."

Moore has strenuously denied the Post's report. When asked about whether he dates teenagers as an adult, he told Hannity on Friday "Not generally, no."

'I don't remember ever dating any girl without the permission of her mother," he added.

Moore entered the special election to take over Attorney General Jeff Sessions's Senate seat, winning the primary against Republican Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to take the seat in the interim. McConnell, along with Trump, endorsed Strange over Moore, who was twice removed from his position as a judge for disobeying court orders.

Also See: Roy Moore Speaks To His Evangelical Base

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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