Posted on 02/17/2021 11:37:13 AM PST by Kaslin
Update: President Trump released an official statement on Limbaugh's passing.
"The great Rush Limbaugh has passed away to a better place, free from physical pain and hostility," Trump said. "His honor, courage, strength, and loyalty will never be replaced. Rush was a patriot, a defender of Liberty, and someone who believed in all of the greatness our Country stands for. Rush was a friend to myself and millions of Americans—a guiding light with the ability to see the truth and paint vivid pictures over the airwaves. Melania and I express our deepest condolences to his wonderful wife, Kathryn, his family, and all of his dedicated fans. He will be missed greatly."
ORIGINAL POST
The conservative movement lost one of its heroes on Wednesday as Rush Limbaugh lost his battle with advanced lung cancer. His wife, Kathryn, made the announcement on his radio show. President Trump called in live during Fox News's coverage of the breaking news to reflect on his friendship with the legendary radio host.
Trump explained that the two developed a friendship after Limbaugh told him he liked the "rather controversial" speech he gave in 2015 after coming down the escalator in Trump Tower to announce he'd be running for president.
"He was a unique guy, and he became a friend of mine...he was with me right from the beginning," Trump said of Limbaugh. "He was just a great gentleman. A great man."
And from then on, Limbaugh carried his message. After his win against Hillary Clinton, Trump says he called Limbaugh "just to thank him" and from there they developed "a very good friendship."
Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer noted that the two men don't exactly seem like two personalities that would mix.
"I like people that some people wouldn't think I like," Trump noted.
"He loved this country," Trump said, later adding that Limbaugh was "irreplaceable" and "a man of the future."
At his last State of the Union speech in February 2020, Trump surprised Limbaugh by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. First lady Melania Trump, who was sitting next to Limbaugh, placed the medal on him herself. Limbaugh was visibly emotional from the gesture.
Rush Limbaugh had over 20 C-SPAN appearances, including when he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the 2020 State of the Union Address. https://t.co/3jvuqdkg3s RIP. pic.twitter.com/JFtgK1cwMz— CSPAN (@cspan) February 17, 2021
"It was something special, it was an incredible night," Trump recalled on Wednesday.
President Trump comments at the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
The US president reacted with visible surprise when reporters informed him the 87-year-old supreme court justice had died. ‘She led an amazing life,’ Trump said, just after coming off stage at a rally in Minnesota. ‘What else can you say? She was an amazing woman who led an amazing life. I’m actually saddened to hear that.’
Biden comments on the passing of Rush Limbaugh:
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I thought same thing. Even a 6 month commitment.
Under Biden, there will be no flags at half staff, Rush will not lie in state at the Capitol, there will be no State Funeral, and no official national days of mourning.
When you compare Rush to other talk show hosts who are very good, you realize that Rush was in a stratosphere of his own. I had Rush on for the entire 15 hours a week and I never got tired of it and always hoped for more. Everyone else gets tiresome after a while but Rush never did.
I don’t think the EIB Network has a contract with the stations. Rush called his show that. AM stations may try to syndicate one host to replace him, but it won’t be Limbaugh’s people choosing the person. Not all of the AM stations will carry the replacement. Just like AM stations had Mike Huckabee and Bill O’Reilly compete with Limbaugh.
He has larger goals in sight. JMO.
This guy Hemmer must be a complete idiot.
ML/NJ
As much as I like Trump, I don’t know that he’s got the keen edge that Rush had to be on-the-fly incisive, and the expansive vocabulary empowering him to well-command his analyses and opinions.
NOT that Trump wouldn’t be a decent fill-in on occasion; I just don’t know that his toolset equips him to be that “on” for three hours at a time.
Rush is gonna be like Johnny Carson — one immense pair of shoes to even begin to adequately fill.
Earth has lost it’s Lovable Fuzzball, and it’s just gonna HURT for awhile.
Will Biden have Mr. Limbaugh lie in state in the rotunda?
It’s weird that Rush passed away at a time when grassroots Conservatives are more angry, more mobilized, and more determined than ever to bring down the GOP establishment.
God bless Rush and Trump, but it’s time for everybody to get off their butts and start getting involved! God is sending us a message.
I think that is a real possibility. Keeps Trump in the public eye and with a built-in audience of 30 million plus, Trump could even improve upon that.
I'm sure you would see liberal boycotts of sponsors and some timid stations might even drop the program. But with a daily podcast option, listeners can get around that and still hear the show. Overall, I think that's a solid possibility and could have been discussed with Rush himself in recent weeks.
“Just looked at DU....”
I’ll pass, thank you.
“This guy Hemmer must be a complete idiot.”
That was my reaction, too. I cannot imagine two such outsize superhumans getting along better than Rush and DJT.
Hemmer and Harris tried like hell to get Trump to talk about the election. That alone might get them fired. Both said they had lots of stuff to talk to him about and looked forward to it. They acted oblivious to throwing him under the bus on election night. There is no way in hell the liberal Murdoch boys will allow Fox to be a microphone for Trump to reach America. Daddy might step in soon if their ratings don’t start improving. But i doubt it.
The US flag should be lowered to half staff for Rush.
Biden obviously won’t do it.
Private citizens CAN.
Even if I’m the only one, out of respect for all Rush has done... my flag will fly at half staff.
I think it would be much more special and newsworthy if President Trump just occasionally filled in. People might grow complacent and bored about it if he was on all the time. No one can replace Rush, but I’d like to see Mark Steyn take over. He’s been a great substitute host, and is well-acquainted with Snerdley and the rest of the team.
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