Former President Donald Trump joined “Hannity” on Wednesday to remember conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who died at the age of 70 after a long battle with lung cancer.
Trump reflected on his decision to award Limbaugh the presidential medal of freedom during the Union’s speech in February 2020, a few days after the conservative icon announced his stage IV lung cancer diagnosis.
“It was an idea we had and that a lot of people introduced me, to be honest, a lot of great people in our country, mostly Republicans,” Trump told host Sean Hannity. “It was an incredible night because the Republicans went wild and the Democrats sat there, but everyone respected Rush.”
First Lady Melania Trump presented America’s highest civilian honor to Limbaugh at the House Gallery, an emotional moment that marked what Trump called one of Limbaugh’s great honors of his life.
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“Presidential Medal of Freedom – this is a big issue, and he’s very honored about it,” Trump said.
The former president met with Limbaugh after announcing his bid for the 2016 Republican nomination. According to Trump, the two immediately connected and bonded over their love of golf and mutual commitment to conservative values.
‘I got to know him immediately after coming down the escalator [to announce my candidacy in July 2015]. He was there from the beginning, ‘Trump said, revealing that he would check in with Limbaugh regularly about the state of his health.
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“Rush was so wonderful, and it was something very special to know him. A very awesome man.”
Trump praised Limbaugh as ‘just an absolutely brilliant guy’ who could manage to do what ‘many people could not do’.
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“He could only talk for three hours, no phone calls, nothing, just talk and everyone found it wonderful,” Trump recalls, calling their short friendship an honor. ‘
The conservative icon and author began a revolution in the radio industry with the nationally-syndicated “The Rush Limbaugh Show” beginning in 1988, and is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in broadcast and political history.