Rush, even from the early days, I think was always inside GOPe Establishment. Don’t forget he was always close to the Bush’s, bragged about the parties he went to and the people he knew. He doesn’t seem to do that much anymore.
Rush distanced himself for years from Republicans, and has referred to himself as ‘conservative’ rather than ‘Republican’, at least starting the year Bush ran for office.
I was pissed at him for getting on the bandwagon during the Harriet Miers nomination and parroting the snotty elite conservatives (many of whom now don’t support Trump) — Rush seemed to be influenced by people who did NOT support the GOP at that time. His brother, Levin...? IDK.
I don’t believe he’s ever been part of the eGOP.