Hannity, Fox News public relations, and Blanton did not respond to requests for comment on this story.

However, one thing is abundantly clear: Hannity doesn’t really answer to Fox News anymore, though he may receive annual salary from the network. He doesn’t even answer to the GOP anymore, the party to which he has for decades sworn allegiance. Sean Hannity seemingly works on behalf of Donald J. Trump—as a spokesman, as a relentless advocate, as an informal strategist, as a close and trusted “friend.”

Count on that trend to continue, in one form or another, whether or not Trump moves into the White House this coming January.