Rush Limbaugh's widow Kathryn confirms 'GREATEST' rumor about death certificate



Kathryn Adams Limbaugh, widow of conservative radio legend Rush Limbaugh, joined Glenn Beck on the radio program Tuesday to reflect on her husband's life and legacy, saying she believes one of his greatest attributes was that "he was so humble. He had the biggest heart. He was so sincere, [and] he never forgot the little guy."

When asked if rumors that Rush's death certificate lists his occupation as "Radio's Greatest of All Time" are true, Kathryn laughed and answered, "Yes. We have to be on brand at all times. Very important ... it was a way to tweak the media as a final goodbye from Rush, which we know he certainly would have loved."

\u201cKathryn Limbaugh confirms to me that yes, Rush Limbaugh's death certificate actually lists his occupation as "Radio's Greatest of All Time": "It was a way to tweak the media as a final goodbye from Rush."\u201d
— Glenn Beck (@Glenn Beck) 1666724413

Glenn asked Kathryn if Elton John — who famously played at the couple's 2010 wedding — knew that she was marrying the conservative talk radio star.

"He did!" Kathryn answered. "And this may be breaking news, but I believe that Sir Elton John and Rush are actually very, very similar. They had quite a similar demeanor off of their performance personality. I believe that they both were so hard-working, they both were at the top of their game, so to speak, they both loved their audience ... so in many respects, they were very similar."

Watch the video clip below to catch more of the conversation. Can't watch? Download the podcast here.

\u201cI asked Kathryn Limbaugh if Elton John KNEW when he played her wedding that she was marrying Rush Limbaugh: "He did! I believe that Sir Elton John and Rush are actually very, very similar."\u201d
— Glenn Beck (@Glenn Beck) 1666728120

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Rush Limbaugh's widow opens up on losing the legendary broadcaster, details his incredible funeral: 'Rush is just shy of a president'



Kathryn Limbaugh, widow of the late Rush Limbaugh, says that losing her husband has been very difficult for her and the legendary broadcaster's loved ones.

The 70-year-old conservative icon passed away in February after battling Stage 4 lung cancer.

What are the details?

In a Tuesday discussion with "The Rush Limbaugh Show" guest host Todd Herman, Kathryn said that grieving the loss of her husband is a process.

"I'm doing OK," she told Herman. "Of course, it's a very difficult time. But I really, truly feel we are all going through this process together, and it's very much a process. And I think it helps us to all be together and grieve in a sense and keep our Rush with us in that way."

Kathryn recalled Rush's funeral, saying that the day of his burial was a beautiful one.

"It was an absolutely gorgeous day, slightly chilly, but nothing like the icy snow that Missouri had a few days prior," she said. "The sun was shining brightly and the really crisp air, and this cemetery is very historic. It has a lot of historic figures such as William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition and others. And just to picture it, it might remind you a bit of Arlington or other historic cemeteries around the world, with winding hills and pathways and big trees that are bare right now, but in the upcoming months, they will be full and green and very lovely to walk around."

She continued, "I've always said Rush is just shy of a president, in my opinion. And we did a funeral that was very worthy of him. So we concentrated a lot on tradition and ceremony at every turn. From the moment that he left the house here in Palm Beach, there was a procession escorting Rush to the transport plane that would take him to St. Louis, and then when we arrived in St. Louis, there was a procession leading to the cemetery."

"So he was never left alone in any aspect of this, and then once we got to the cemetery there was a horse-drawn carriage waiting for him, and it was simply stunning," she recalled. "There will be some pictures for you to see, but you could hear the clacking of the horse hooves as we walked through the cemetery following behind Rush. You could hear the singing of the birds.It was very peaceful, very beautiful. And we followed behind the horse-drawn carriage until we reached the chapel. And when we reached the chapel, we had a small service in the chapel, which is located in the cemetery. Rush was escorted into the chapel to his favorite version of The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

"And you can picture hearing that song and seeing the American flag draped over Rush at the front of the chapel," Kathryn added. "It was perfectly fitting and absolutely beautiful. And then once we had a small ceremony there within the chapel, we followed behind Rush again in the carriage leading down towards the burial site.And it was just stunning, if you can imagine, looking forward through a winding road to see this beautiful carriage with Rush in it and then flags around his gravesite. So as we approached the gravesite you could see these powerful American flags waving in the wind and the sun was shining directly on that spot.It couldn't have been more fitting."

Of her husband's death, Kathryn said that Rush went peacefully into the afterlife.

"I have his wedding ring and a cross on a chain around my neck, keeping him with me every day, every moment," she said. 'Rush didn't know after which EIB show he would follow God's plan to return to heaven. He went peacefully. Yes, he was greeted by many when he arrived back home."

You can listen to the segment in its entirety here.

The Daily Caller video screenshot

Longtime Limbaugh producer and friend Bo Snerdley delivers emotional tribute after Joy Reid says he was Rush's 'cover' to say 'outright racist stuff'



James "Bo Snerdley" Golden, Rush Limbaugh's longtime friend and producer on "The Rush Limbaugh Show," got emotional while recalling the life of the late conservative talk radio pioneer.

Limbaugh passed away Wednesday at the age of 70 after battling stage 4 cancer for at least a year.

Golden made emotional remarks Thursday evening about the passing of his longtime friend to Fox News' Sean Hannity just one day after MSNBC's Joy Reid blasted him as Limbaugh's "cover" to do and say "outright racist stuff."

What did Golden say?

Appearing on Thursday's episode of "Hannity," Golden said that he and the rest of the "Rush Limbaugh Show" family are devastated by Limbaugh's passing.

"Sean, we can't wrap our arms around this," he admitted. "We can't wrap our brains and our hearts around it that our beloved Rush has returned his talent to God. And we are so thankful for him. You know, Rush is to me a second-generation founding father. This went beyond radio. This went beyond politics, what Rush did for America. One man changed so many trajectories in this country. When Rush began his career, there were 1,200 radio stations, roughly, doing the talk radio format. Today, there are over 12,000."

Limbaugh's dynamic personality and ideas changed media, Golden said.

"There was nowhere on TV that you could get conservative ideology; that you could get the values that represent what most Americans believe until Rush. He changed the media. He changed the landscape," he said. "Rush Limbaugh's radio show grew for over 30 years. This is unheard of. And our audience from small children all the way up through the senior of senior citizens, and beyond all of this accomplishments, Rush Limbaugh was one of the finest human beings that you would ever want to meet.

"A generous, wonderful, beautiful spirit," he qualified. "Humble, a gentleman. Never failed to thank people for the smallest service that they could do to him. He never looked down on people. It burns me to my soul when people sully his reputation with falsehoods, calling him a racist."

A clearly emotional Golden added, "This man was just an incredible phenomenon, and we love you, Rush. God bless you and thank you, Sean, for having me with you to talk about Rush."

What did Reid say?

On the night of Limbaugh's death, Reid said that Golden — Limbaugh's "black sidekick" — was used as a pawn to shield Limbaugh from appearing to be racist.

During a panel discussion, Reid said that Golden was complicit in effecting racism, and said that he was guilty of "racializing" the former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act by referring to it as "secret reparations."

"[Limbaugh] used his Black sidekick as a cover to do like that kind of outright racist stuff," Reid insisted.

Joy Reid attacks @BoSnerdley as being no more than Rush Limbaugh's "black sidekick" that gave him "cover to be able… https://t.co/l1jTt3fcC8
— Curtis Houck (@Curtis Houck)1613613409.0

(H/T: The Daily Caller)

Bette Midler says God is punishing Ted Cruz with deadly winter storm in Texas, implies Rush Limbaugh is in hell



Bette Midler used the unprecedented winter storm in Texas to attack Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn. The Hollywood actress claimed that God is punishing the GOP senators from Texas with the deadly snowstorms that are believed to have a role in at least 35 deaths in eight states and left millions without power and heat this week.

Midler implied that the historic Winter Storm Uri is "payback" for Cruz and Cornyn previously questioning President Joe Biden's win in the 2020 election.

Her remarks replied to a random Twitter user who called Cruz and Cornyn "inept" for requesting disaster relief for Texas while both lawmakers voted against federal aid during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Both senators voted against the relief package because they said it had "billions in unrelated spending," including money for "things like repairing fisheries in the Pacific" and "Smithsonian repairs."

Midler argued that "inept" was the "wrong word" to characterize the Republican senators. Instead, she described the GOP senators as "hateful," "vicious," and "cruel."

"I feel for the people suffering thru this weather, but #God doesn't seem to like #TedCruz or #JohnCornyn," Midler tweeted. "These two also never recognized that #Joe won. If this isn't payback, I don't know what is."

"Inept" is the wrong word. "Hateful", "Vicious", "Cruel" might all apply. I feel for the people suffering thru th… https://t.co/wfuGHsvH9r
— bettemidler (@bettemidler)1613537478.0

Sen. Cornyn acknowledged Biden as "president-elect" on Dec. 9. Cornyn did not object to the certification of the Electoral College votes.

"There's good constitutional and other legal grounds to say: You had your day in court, 60 different lawsuits in state courts, you had a chance to appeal those to the Supreme Court, and as I read the law once a state certifies its electoral vote it's conclusive," Cornyn previously stated.

"That's sort of the nature of these elections. You got to have a winner. You got to have a loser," Cornyn told the Associated Press in December. "Joe Biden's on a path to be president of the United States."

Sen. Cruz called for the dispute of the certification unless Congress established a commission to conduct an audit of the 2020 presidential election.

The "Hocus Pocus" actress was also one of many noted leftists who viciously celebrated the death of broadcasting legend Rush Limbaugh. Midler, who has more than 2 million Twitter followers, seemed to hint that Limbaugh is in hell after passing away from lung cancer on Wednesday.

#RushLimbaugh has gone to his reward. Bet it’s hot.
— bettemidler (@bettemidler)1613598073.0

Midler has a history of tweeting hatred toward Limbaugh. The actress has called Limbaugh a "bully," "feral pig," "gobbler of OxyContin," "the Taliban," and said his massiively popular radio program was spewing "sewage." Following Limbaugh's stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Midler said she would offer "zero prayers."

Last week, Midler was one of many Hollywood celebrities who suffered complete meltdowns after the Senate acquitted former President Donald Trump in his secondimpeachment trial. Midler went on an unhinged rant, claiming that Trump "got away with murder."

"This lopsided vote is an American tragedy of monumental proportions., one we made all by ourselves," the singer alleged about the impeachment acquittal. "The consequences of this travesty have yet to be known, but I predict they will be uglier than even the last four years have been."

Rush Limbaugh defined conservatism for a generation. In his words, this is who conservatives are.



Conservatives are in mourning. Rush Limbaugh, the No. 1 conservative radio talk show host, whose voice reached tens of millions of Americans for more than 30 years, died at 70 Wednesday, succumbing to late-stage lung cancer.

After his passing, many prominent conservatives, in their tributes to America's Anchorman, credited the late patriot with founding the conservative media industry. They remember him as a tireless advocate for beliefs shared by millions of Americans whose voices are to this day ignored by the mainstream, "drive-by media" Rush would so often vilify on his program.

Limbaugh's critics have vilified him in turn, predictably and boringly recalling, in the words of NBC News for example, "his long history of sexist, homophobic and racist remarks" to commemorate his death. Such critics accuse Limbaugh of inflaming "the partisan divide that came to characterize political discourse in the United States." This is the way the mainstream media and the left would have most Americans remember Rush, if at all.

That is not who Rush Limbaugh was. That is not how he should be remembered. And he would tell you so himself.

"I've made mistakes and try to own up to them, but I just wish one out of a hundred of my critics had ever actually listened to an entire show of mine," Limbaugh once said.

Those that did listen to Rush know who he was. Rush Limbaugh was a conservative. To understand what that means, to genuinely understand Rush Limbaugh and who he thought he was, there's perhaps no better place to begin than a speech he gave in 2009.

President Barrack Obama had just assumed office. Republicans and conservatives were swept out of power in the election, with the Democratic Party achieving full control of the federal government with a supermajority in the United States Senate. The conservative movement was arguably, in terms of holding federal elected office, at its weakest position since before Ronald Reagan was president.

Speaking at CPAC 2009, to a movement facing recent defeat, Rush gave what he called his "first ever address to the nation" broadcast on national TV, courtesy of Fox News. Speaking for nearly 90 minutes, encouraged on by the American Conservative Union leaders organizing the event, Limbaugh spoke directly to the American people about who conservatives are, what we believe in, and why we are eternally optimistic because our core principles are right and true.

Excerpts from that address, quoted below, should serve as the final word on who Rush Limbaugh was, what he believed in, and why millions of Americans love him and mourn him.

Now, seriously, for those of you watching on C-SPAN as well, and on Fox, I want to tell you who we all are in this room. I want to tell you who conservatives are. We conservatives have not done a good enough job of just laying out basically who we are because we make the mistake of assuming people know. What they know is largely incorrect based on the way we are portrayed in pop culture, in the Drive-By Media, by the Democrat Party.

Let me tell you who we conservatives are: We love people. When we look out over the United States of America, when we are anywhere, when we see a group of people, such as this or anywhere, we see Americans. We see human beings. We don't see groups. We don't see victims. We don't see people we want to exploit. What we see -- what we see is potential. We do not look out across the country and see the average American, the person that makes this country work. We do not see that person with contempt. We don't think that person doesn't have what it takes. We believe that person can be the best he or she wants to be if certain things are just removed from their path like onerous taxes, regulations and too much government.

We want every American to be the best he or she chooses to be. We recognize that we are all individuals. We love and revere our founding documents, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. We believe that the preamble to the Constitution contains an inarguable truth that we are all endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life. Liberty, Freedom. And the pursuit of happiness. Those of you watching at home may wonder why this is being applauded. We conservatives think all three are under assault.

We don't want to tell anybody how to live. That's up to you. If you want to make the best of yourself, feel free. If you want to ruin your life, we'll try to stop it, but it's a waste. We look over the country as it is today, we see so much waste, human potential that's been destroyed by 50 years of a welfare state. By a failed war on poverty.

We love the people of this country. And we want this to be the greatest country it can be, but we do understand, as people created and endowed by our creator, we're all individuals. We resist the effort to group us. We resist the effort to make us feel that we're all the same, that we're no different than anybody else. We're all different. There are no two things or people in this world who are created in a way that they end up with equal outcomes. That's up to them. They are created equal, given the chance - -

We don't hate anybody. We don't -- I mean, the racism in this country, if you ask me, I know many people in this audience -- let me deal with this head on. You know what the cliche is, a conservative: racist, sexist, bigot, homophobe. Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen of America, if you were paying attention, I know you were, the racism in our culture was exclusively and fully on display in the Democrat primary last year.

It was not us asking whether Barack Obama was authentic. What we were asking is: Is he wrong? We concluded, yes. We still think so. But we didn't ask if he was authentically black. We didn't say, as some Southern Christian Leadership Conference leaders said: Barack is not authentic, he's not got any slave blood. He's really not down for the struggle, but his wife is. So don't expect the race industry to go away. Southern Christian Leadership Conference -- you may not know this, because it wasn't reported in the Drive-By Media -- the racism, the sexism, the bigotry that we're all charged with, just so you across the United States of America know, and you'll see demonstrated here as the afternoon goes on, doesn't exist on our side. We want everybody to succeed.

You know why? We want the country to succeed, and for the country to succeed, its people -- its individuals -- must succeed. Everyone among us must be pursuing his ambition or her desire, whatever, with excellence. Trying to be the best they can be.

...

Conservatives are naturally happy. We seek happiness. We pursue it. It's part of who we are. So what can you do? Live your life. I swear, folks, you do not know in just the everyday life that you live in your homes, your neighborhoods, the favorite word of this administration, your "communities." Remember the root word there is "commune." Be happy, live your life according to your values and principles. Know you're going to fail, no human being is perfect, you're going to make mistakes, but live your life -- you'll be stunned at how many people you impress. Don't be afraid to tell children that they're wrong. They don't know what you do. They simply haven't lived long enough. It's not their fault, but they're being fed a bunch of garbage in school and don't be afraid to tell them that they're wrong.

...

So as you leave here, as you leave here optimism, confidence, not guilt, it's not worth it. There's nothing to be guilty about. Don't treat people as children. Respect their intelligence. Realize that there's a way to persuade people. Sometimes the worst way is to get in their face and point a finger. Set up a set of circumstances where the conclusion is obvious. Let them think they came up with the idea themselves. They'll think they're smart that they figured it out. Who cares how you persuade them, the fact they can be persuaded is factually correct, it's possible. But the main thing to do here is stop thinking that we are a minority. Stop thinking that it is being in the minority that liberates you. It is your beliefs. It is your core principles, it is your confidence that liberates you. It's not being in the minority.

In fact, for those of you watching my first national address and still hanging in there, we really are not that happy about being a minority and we're out to change it.

Noted leftists celebrate Rush Limbaugh's death with hateful tweets: 'Bigoted King of Talk Radio'



It likely will come as no surprise that noted leftists quickly took to Twitter after hearing Wednesday's news about the death of Rush Limbaugh and engaged in a kind of macabre celebration that hardly masked their hatred for the legendary conservative radio talk show host.

What did they say?

A sampling of "blue check mark" Twitter users showed they tried their darnedest to make viral history with the snarkiest take.

Leading the way was Huffington Post reporter Christopher Mathias who used Twitter to hawk the Limbaugh obit he penned with Nick Robins-Early titled, "Rush Limbaugh, Bigoted King Of Talk Radio, Dies At 70."

It's safe to say Mathias isn't a Limbaugh fan:

Rush Limbaugh was a bigot and a misogynist who saturated America's airwaves with cruel lies and conspiracy theories… https://t.co/uKOjR6GWmf
— Christopher Mathias (@Christopher Mathias)1613582566.0

"Rush Limbaugh was a bigot and a misogynist who saturated America's airwaves with cruel lies and conspiracy theories for decades, transforming the GOP in the process," he tweeted.

Where to go from there? How about the Palmer Report's tweet:

Rush Limbaugh spent decades advancing his career by opportunistically spreading vicious lies that got a lot of bad… https://t.co/UBhYQd9nkb
— Palmer Report (@Palmer Report)1613583538.0

"Now he's dead," the tweet read. "So be it. There's a reason 'Rest in Piss' is trending right now."

Indeed, it appeared to be a popular left-wing response to Limbaugh's passing. Comedian Steve Hofstetter sure seemed to like it:

“Rest in Piss” is trending because Rush Limbaugh died. I don’t know who the first person to write this was, but h… https://t.co/6FYYE15GvJ
— Steve Hofstetter (@Steve Hofstetter)1613584093.0

Remember the NFL punter known more for his far-left politics than by actually punting effectively? Well, Chris Kluwe is still hanging around, and he had quite the reaction to Limbaugh's passing: "Good. F*** Rush Limbaugh, and let the celebration about his death be a reminder to the rest of the racists and bigots that we'll happily dance on your graves too."

Parkland shooting survivor-turned-snarky-leftist celeb Cameron Kasky had the following to say:

Rush Limbaugh has passed on, but worry not- his memory lives on through bigots everywhere
— Cam (@Cam)1613583833.0

LGBTQ writer and activist Charlotte Clymer clearly had no tears for Rush:

Rush Limbaugh was a coward and white supremacist. He aggressively and cynically exploited divisions in our country… https://t.co/KHDU01KQSD
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️‍🌈 (@Charlotte Clymer 🏳️‍🌈)1613583578.0

Activist pastor Rev. Rob Lee apparently tried his best to be, you know, Christlike:

Rush Limbaugh is dead.This is the only honest thing I can say without being uncharitable. May he reckon with God when he meets her.
— Rev. Rob Lee (@Rev. Rob Lee)1613583774.0

David Axelrod also attempted civility — kinda:

Whether you loved him or hated him-and there are very few people in between-Rush Limbaugh was indisputably a force… https://t.co/Ao3Pbuz2og
— David Axelrod (@David Axelrod)1613584127.0

Canadian TV producer and script writer Emily Andras apparently summoned all her skills for this visionary tweet:

Rush Limbaugh slowly opens his eyes. Finds himself in an all-white room with a single pink chair -- and a small tab… https://t.co/qCaHul11Ya
— Emily Andras (@Emily Andras)1613584191.0

Bless her chilly heart. It's frigid up yonder, after all.

Oh, and make sure to check out writer Tony Posnanski's Twitter page — he seems just a bit overly occupied with Limbaugh's passing. Did he lose his copy of "The Way Things Ought to Be" or something?

Here's one of his F-bomb-free takes:

Rush Limbaugh was an author and a man who knew how to excite a crowd.And so was Hitler.
— Tony Posnanski (@Tony Posnanski)1613586569.0

Writer David Klion gave it the ol' college try. (Is he a DeVry University alum?)

Today is a sad day, as the excruciating physical and spiritual agony Rush Limbaugh experienced at all times has finally ended.
— David Klion (@David Klion)1613584180.0

Finally, here's a valiant dunk attempt from Media Matters editor-at-large Parker Molloy:

Looking forward to the goofy right-wing blogs that put together tweet round-ups of people celebrating that Limbaugh died
— Parker Molloy (@Parker Molloy)1613583847.0

Looks like you made it, sweetie.

Anything else?

None of this should come as any surprise, given the same day Limbaugh announced his cancer diagnosis last year, leftists far and wide piled on with glee.

Tributes pour in for the late Rush Limbaugh, beloved American patriot



Rush Limbaugh, the founding father of conservative talk radio, died Wednesday after losing his battle with stage 4 lung cancer. He was 70. His wife, Kathryn, made the tragic announcement on his radio show, which was dedicated to celebrating his legacy.

Immediately following the news of Limbaugh's passing, conservatives who were inspired, entertained, and educated by his radio program, many of whom would not have their careers were it not for the trail he blazed, offered their tributes to the uncontested greatest conservative radio host of all time.

"God Bless you Rush. I love you. Always and ever," said Bo Snerdley, aka James Golden, Limbaugh's longtime call screener, producer, and program engineer.

BlazeTV host and conservative radio host Mark Levin eulogized Limbaugh on Fox News, remarking that he made it "cool to be a patriot."

Levin, who at the beginning of his radio career was a frequent guest on Limbaugh's radio program and was a close friend, said, "We lost a tremendous patriot."

"I've known Rush for 25 years. I want your audience to know how much he profoundly loved them," he told Fox News host Harris Faulkner. "An incredibly wise man, a very, very smart man. A dear person. If you thought somebody needed help, he would help them. Nothing like what the liberal media has tried to do to him."

Levin said Limbaugh should be remembered as "a tremendous patriot of this country who refused to accept the attacks that came against this country from within. He refused to accept the ideological changes in this country. He defended the traditions of this country, and he spoke for tens of millions of us and, you know, I've met a lot of smart people in my life, dealt with a lot of smart people, never smarter than Rush, never wiser, and never kinder."

Radio and Fox News host Sean Hannity also called in to Fox News, acknowledging that "there's no Fox News or even some of these other opinionated cable networks" without Rush Limbaugh.

"There is no talk radio as we know it without Rush Limbaugh... There's no Fox News or even some of these other opin… https://t.co/3mhh4OmiNy
— Washington Examiner (@Washington Examiner)1613585662.0

Other stars in conservative media shared similar feelings about Limbaugh.

"No words ... I just got news the Rush Limbaugh has passed away. Thanks Rush for all you taught, gave and were," said BlazeTV host Glenn Beck. "A hero to many. An icon. A patriot. A revolutionary that saved radio. Heaven's gain, our loss."

"No conservative would have a voice on ANY platform today if not for Rush Limbaugh," said BlazeTV host Steven Crowder. "The world is a sadder place with him not in it."

"RIP Rush Limbaugh, the creator of talk radio and by extension the alternative media, an indispensable and iconic conservative voice," Daily Wire editor emeritus Ben Shapiro tweeted.

"None of us, NONE OF US, would exist in conservative media without his success," said BlazeTV host Steve Deace. "We all owe him a massive debt of gratitude. He leaves behind an unmatched legacy. Prayers to my friend @DavidLimbaugh for his loss."

"RIP. More than any single person, Rush Limbaugh helped break the left's monopoly in the media," observed Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume. "The left is still dominant, but not to the extent it was before he came along. He waged a brave struggle against deafness and later, the cancer that killed him. He was a giant."

"The legacy of Rush Limbaugh is clear: the most successful radio broadcaster in history," said former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. "Mr. Limbaugh provided a conservative balance against the dangerous left wing corporate media machine. History counts few entertainers among those who made a difference in the country. Rush Limbaugh did."

"Rush Limbaugh had unrelenting boldness to proclaim the truth. Watching his wit, passion, and willingness to hold the media accountable informed my entire career," former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a tweet thread offering a longer tribute to Limbaugh. "Growing up in Plant City, Florida, my dad would always play the Rush Limbaugh program in his pick-up truck. My fellow classmates from my all girls Catholic school knew if they [rode] in my car, we would be listening to Rush Limbaugh.

"I am the definition of a 'Rush Baby,' and it's not just me. There are tens of thousands of us all across the conservative movement. He has built a legacy that will endure for many generations to come and will continue to inform our country.

"Thank you, Rush, for all you have done for this nation. The United States of America is better because of you," McEnany concluded.

Several Republican politicians, including two former presidents, expressed their admiration for Rush and their condolences for his family.

"He was a fantastic man, a fantastic talent. People, whether they loved or hated him, respected him," said former President Donald Trump on Fox News Wednesday.

"Laura and I are sorry to learn that Rush Limbaugh has passed away," former President George W. Bush said in a statement. "A son of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Rush rose as a pioneer of talk radio starting in the 1980s, and was a friend throughout my Presidency. While he was brash, at times controversial, and always opinionated, he spoke his mind as a voice for millions of Americans and approached each day with gusto."

Former President George W Bush on Limbaugh death: https://t.co/xRPQXJEXOw
— Meridith McGraw (@Meridith McGraw)1613585227.0

"Rush Limbaugh revolutionized American radio. His voice guided the conservative movement for millions every day," said Republican Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). "Rest In Peace, Rush."

"Rush was a voice for forgotten Americans long before the internet gave us a voice. His was a voice that helped shape our thinking; but more than that, it reminded us to stay the course. I am saddened that I will never hear that voice again," said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas).

"He was, like all of us, imperfect; but he was unapologetic and unafraid to advance the cause of freedom and limited government. He stood strong when so many others turned tail and ran away from the fight. He leaves behind an army of freedom-loving Americans who are more-ready and better-prepared to defend this great Republic as a direct result of his life's work."

"A proud son of Missouri, Rush Limbaugh was a voice for the voiceless," said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). "He changed talk radio, but more importantly, Rush changed the conversation to speak up for the forgotten, and challenge the establishment. He lived the First Amendment and told hard truths."

"Rush Limbaugh was a giant," said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). "With his straightforward, simple articulation of conservatism, he inspired millions. He was one-of-a-kind and he will be missed."

"Rush Limbaugh was an inspiring and important voice for the conservative movement. He will be missed dearly. My sincere condolences to the Limbaugh family," said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

Conservative radio host Erick Erickson wrote a tribute to Rush that concluded:

Rush Limbaugh was the best and will perpetually be the gold standard by which everyone else in talk radio is measured.

There's a public caricature of Rush Limbaugh that exists formed by those jealous of his success and contemptuous of his views. Then there is the Rush Limbaugh — a friend, a mentor, and now the man who gets to personally deliver back his talent to the God of all [creation] who, yes, Rush knew, loved, and served.

Rush Limbaugh's radio show drew an estimated 43 million listeners over its three-hour runtime. Many, many more people who listened to Limbaugh regularly or were impacted by his work offered their own tributes to Rush, too many to report.

Throughout his life, and here at the end, Rush Limbaugh was loved. And he is missed.