USAA, an insurance, bank and financial services company that caters to active duty military, veterans and their families, is getting slammed by members after announcing on Twitter Wednesday night the company was withdrawing advertising on the Sean Hannity show in response to pressure from liberal activists trying to silence Hannity by cutting off his advertising base. It was not stated by USAA if they advertised on Hannity’s Fox News Channel show or his nationally syndicated radio show.
Hannity is a strong supporter of the military and veterans. He has a strong fan base among the military community.
https://twitter.com/NewtTrump/status/867405967759114240
The effort to drive Hannity off the air was promoted by Democratic Party front group Media Matters which posted a list of Hannity’s advertisers this week for liberals to complain to after Hannity pursued the unsolved 2016 murder of Democratic Party activist Seth Rich in Washington, D.C. and possible connections to Wikileaks.
As of early Thursday, seven companies have announced they are no longer advertising on Hannity’s show, according to Media Matters: Cars.com, Casper, Crowne Plaza, Leesa Sleep, Peloton, Ring.com and USAA.
A sample of the most common tweet from USAA on Hannity, “Thank you for reaching out to us. USAA advertises on news programs, but advertising on opinion shows is not in accordance with our policy.”
Thank you for reaching out to us. USAA advertises on news programs, but advertising on opinion shows is not in accordance with our policy.
— USAA (@USAA_help) May 25, 2017
USAA posted a direct mention of Hannity in a reply to a poster claiming they are cancelling their accounts.
“You’ve ignored my messages USAA -all of my family’s banking and insurance is with you. We are an active duty family. We stand with Hannity…You reply to the left bots but not a member?! By Friday ALL of our stuff will be moved to Navy Fed and GEICO/ALL State/Nationwide, et al.”
USAA coldly replied, “We are no longer advertising in relation to Hannity. Thank you!”
You've ignored my messages USAA -all of my family's banking and insurance is with you. We are an active duty family. We stand with Hannity
— TXEquestrian (@TXEquestrian) May 25, 2017
You reply to the left bots but not a member?! By Friday ALL of our stuff will be moved to Navy Fed and GEICO/ALL State/Nationwide, et al.
— TXEquestrian (@TXEquestrian) May 25, 2017
We are no longer advertising in relation to Hannity. Thank you!
— USAA (@USAA_help) May 25, 2017
Many others claiming to be USAA members chimed in to say they too were canceling their accounts with USAA.
Thanks. Just told my parents. And, they are canceling tomorrow!
— Kambree (@KamVTV) May 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/saksivas_/status/867580873767608320
https://twitter.com/dogtorphil/status/867589850475761668
Been with USAA 27+yrs, now I am EMBARRASSED to be associated with such a weak-ass company that caves to liberal fascism.
— FlyingSkillet (@flyinskillet) May 25, 2017
@USAA contacting Ed Jones tomorrow to dump my shares. Not much but it will make me feel better about your betrayal. Price is $19.43 ⤵️⤵️⤵️
— DiHaggis I’m Back and Thank You Elon Musk🚀 (@Dihaggis) May 25, 2017
GEICO came on one USAA thread to welcome potential new customers.
https://twitter.com/GEICO_Service/status/867612199518425088
More accounts being closed, many after being with USAA for decades:
https://twitter.com/SantaFean/status/867586209811283969
https://twitter.com/SFC_RobJF/status/867576978278416384
After 16 years of being a USAA member. I will cancel my insurance, bank account, and credit cards. #dissapointed
— John Basham (@JohnBasham) May 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/thquickfox/status/867593792131440643
https://twitter.com/myredcar/status/867585215086112768
Seriously? I have been a USAA Customer for 21 years. Time to find a new insurance company. Cowards.
— Based Savage (@BigBadPatriot) May 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/LyzEstrada/status/867610938215682048
And Average Joe sums it up nicely, “How can a company who supports Vets who fought for our rights cave to silencing free speech. You ought to be ashamed”
https://twitter.com/azgrogg/status/867590476622249984
Hannity is scheduled to take a long Memorial Day weekend break starting Thursday. Will he have a show to return to next week? Will USAA have a customer base next week?