Trump honors ‘great conservative’ Rush Limbaugh on his fifth death anniversary

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump marked the fifth anniversary of Rush Limbaugh’s death with a video tribute, praising the late broadcaster’s lasting impact on conservative media. In the message, Trump highlighted Limbaugh’s role as a pioneering radio host who shaped political debate with his unfiltered commentary and influenced millions of listeners nationwide.

Limbaugh hosted one of the longest-running talk radio shows in the United States for more than three decades. In 2020, while battling lung cancer, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump in recognition of his influence and career achievements.

Trump honors Rush Limbaugh on anniversary

Trump addressed viewers directly in a video filmed at his desk in the Oval Office and later posted on Truth Social and the official White House account on X.

“Well, this is the fifth anniversary of the loss of a really great man, a great conservative, somebody that loved our country, loved his family, loved a lot of things, but he was a friend of mine, Rush Limbaugh,” Trump said, praising the late radio host’s love for his country and family.

The president also recalled Limbaugh’s endorsement of his 2016 campaign, describing how he first learned of the support. Trump said, "I’d never met Rush when I announced that I was running. I’ll never forget, 2015 and I got a call all excited that Rush Limbaugh just endorsed you. I’d never met him. He liked my opening speech." Trump recalled, "He liked when I got up in June and I said, “You know, well, we got bad borders, we got bad crime, we got bad everything.” And he liked it. I came down the escalator with now our first lady, and he thought it was great."

"And he endorsed me and then I got to know him and I realized what a great guy he was," Trump continued.

"But, it’s five years and we miss Rush,” he said, adding that, "As Sean Hannity would often say, there will never be another Rush Limbaugh. So to his family, his great wife and family, I just want to say we miss you all, we miss him, and they’ll never be anybody like him. Thank you very much."

Melania Trump awards Rush Limbaugh Medal of Freedom

In 2020, Rush Limbaugh sat next to first lady Melania Trump during the State of the Union as President Donald Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Limbaugh became emotional during the ceremony.

Earlier that week, Limbaugh had announced on his radio show that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Speaking about health care, Trump said, “Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness.”

Trump praised Limbaugh, saying, "Here tonight is a special man, beloved by millions of Americans, who just received a Stage 4 advanced cancer diagnosis. This is not good news, but what is good news is that he is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet."

He added, “Rush Limbaugh. Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country. Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

An emotional Limbaugh stood to accept the honor as lawmakers applauded and the First Lady presented him with the medal.