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The news that we were all expecting was coming broke this morning. Rush Limbaugh, the giant of conservative talk radio, lost his battle with lung cancer at the age of 70.
Rush’s wife Kathryn made the annoucement as the show opened this morning.
“I, like you, very much wish Rush was behind this golden microphone now, welcoming you to another exceptional 3 hours of broadcasting,” Kathryn Limbaugh said. “It is with profound sadness I must share with you directly that our beloved Rush, my wonderful husband, passed away this morning due to complications from lung cancer.”
Over the course of the next few days, weeks, months, and likely years, Rush’s influence on the conservative movement is going to be analyzed and scrutinized. However, one thing is for certain. There will never be another Rush Limbaugh. He was a unique force of nature, and one that cannot be duplicated. The conservative movement will have other champions. We have lost voices like his before. But Rush Limbaugh was special because of how he revolutionized talk radio into a force for conservative thought.
The tributes from others who recognized his genius in using the talk radio format are beginning to pour in. It is safe to say that without Rush Limbaugh, these voices would not be on the radio today.
RIP Rush Limbaugh, the creator of talk radio and by extension the alternative media, an indispensable and iconic conservative voice.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 17, 2021
No words … I just got news the Rush Limbaugh has passed away.
thanks Rush for all you taught, gave and were. A hero to many. An icon. A patriot. A revolutionary that saved radio.
Heavens gain, our loss.— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) February 17, 2021
It is hard to describe the influence that Rush Limbaugh had on the modern conservative movement. From the time that his national radio show began in 1988, he never gave up on his conservative beliefs. He was not a follower, he was a leader. He rejoiced in the success of the Republican party, but wasn’t afraid to hold them to account. While other so-called “conservatives” in media changed their tune in the era of Trump for a myriad of reasons, Rush Limbaugh was not one of them. He supported the president, period. And when the horrible news came out last year that Rush had been diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer, it was President Trump who ended up being the one to honor Rush for all he had done for the country by awarding him – on the spot – with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
This was such a great moment. Rest in Peace, Rush. pic.twitter.com/BOl1aIkgQU
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) February 17, 2021
However, Stage IV cancer is unforgiving, brutal, and barring a miracle, we all knew that the news that was announced today was coming sometime. It makes Rush’s Christmas program sign-on and sign-off just that much more poignant. Those who listened had the unmistakeable feeling that we were hearing a true good-bye.
Was Rush Limbaugh a perfect person? No. Did he do many good things? Yes. Did he have his share of successes and struggles, both personally and professionally? Yes. Will people – especially on Twitter – spend all day doing hot dunks for the social media seal-clapping highs? Yes. Does that tell you what kind of people they are? Yes.
Despite the opinions now running amok on social media, one cannot deny that Rush Limbaugh was the standout voice of conservatism for over thirty years. He was unashamed in his beliefs and encouraged his audience to stick to their beliefs. Even in death, his voice will not be silenced. His volumes of thought will continue to exist and be examined for years to come. His legacy will be the listeners that he leaves behind to carry on.
Godspeed, Rush. And thank you.
Featured image: Rush Limbaugh at the 2020 State of the Union address, via the Trump White House Archived on Flickr, Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen, cropped, public domain
Kevin says: Rush is going to give Satan a run for his money. Satan is going to have to put some limits on his social media accounts or else he’ll lose control of hell. Couldn’t of happened to a worse human being. February 17 will be a day to remember.
Don_RN says: You sir, are exposing how much of a despicable person you are.
Shame on you.
Cameron says: Why do you smell like depression and cats?
Oh, and it’s “Couldn’t have” not “Couldn’t of”, little chihuahua.
American Human says: I’m sorry that Kevin doesn’t like Rush. He seemingly couldn’t even wait until Rush had assumed room-temperature to start the hate-fest. No matter. Rush was an imperfect person but had a heart of gold. He held his ground and fought hard against the hate that came his way. It never seemed to be a back-and-forth discussion with his haters (see Kevin above) but pure hate. It seemed as if his critics didn’t want to debate with him on the points he was making, it was always “Shut-up please”. I’m glad he never shut up.
Cameron says: I always got a laugh about the liberal talk show hosts (Before their programs died out) who complained about Rush’s success. They never wanted to put in the same effort but wanted equal reward.
Quentin Q Quill says: According to an article I recently read, Limbaugh made fun of people who had died from AIDS. Although there are not transcripts of these shows, they are articles documenting Rush doing this. Was this an example of him being “the standout voice of conservatism?”
Cameron says: How about this: Do your own fucking research and post it here instead of vague statements like “they are articles” (By the way, I think you meant to say “there are articles.”).
Quentin Q Quill says: HI Cameron,
Thanks for the correction. I did do my own “fucking research.” It was a simple Google search. I figure people like you are at least intelligent enough to do a simple Google search. You sure seem triggered. Are you suffering from TDS (Trump Defeat Syndrome)?
Cameron says: I notice that you keep breaking out the TDS remark and “triggered” as if it was actually an insult. Spamming the same things doesn’t really make you look witty.
And since you are the one who brings up the point up above, telling someone who disagrees with you to “just google it” doesn’t help you. It shows that you’re too lazy to bring your own evidence. Now please stop clutching your pearls about how shocked you are at people’s behavior.
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