Rush Limbaugh: How a right-wing radio host ended up as Trump’s closest confidant

The former president heralded his close friend and right-wing provocateur Rush Limbaugh as a ‘guiding light’, Chris Riotta writes, reflecting the pair’s genuine – and controversial – bond to each other

Donald Trump speaks to radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh at a Make America Great Again rally in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. (AFP via Getty Images)

Of all the many official and unofficial advisers to Donald Trump during his four years in the Oval Office, few were as effective in guiding the former president while simultaneously preaching his message to millions of loyal supporters as the late, right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh. 

Limbaugh, a controversial media personality who faced criticism throughout his career over allegations of racist and misogynistic comments, and yet simultaneously was heralded for saving AM radio with his conservative talk show, was known for having a brash manner seen as offensive by his critics. 

Yet conservatives attributed him with grooming a generation of Republican politicians; that work, which occurred both in front of as well as behind the scenes, appeared to culminate in 2016 with Trump’s victory in the presidential election – an event that would allow him to potentially influence domestic and international US policy as one of the new president’s closest confidants. 

Kathryn Limbaugh surprised listeners of The Rush Limbaugh Show on Wednesday morning by joining the program to announce the death of her husband following a year-long battle with cancer at the age of 70, after he was previously diagnosed last February with stage-4 lung cancer.

“I know that I am most certainly not the Limbaugh that you tuned in to listen to today,” she said. “I, like you, very much wish Rush was behind this golden microphone right now, welcoming you to another exceptional three hours of broadcasting.”

“For over 32 years, Rush has cherished you, loyal audience, and always looked forward to every single show,” she added. “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.”

Limbaugh was one of the most popular American radio hosts in history, and through his show he developed lasting connections with prominent GOP members on Capitol Hill. He was invited to Washington by George HW Bush, and stayed overnight in the Lincoln Bedroom. Mike Pence once said in 2001 during a statement made on the House floor that he was only “in Congress today because of Rush Limbaugh”.

Those relationships were stark in contrast to the tensions he fomented with Democrats over the years, however, often using contentious rhetoric to complain about liberals, the media and anyone else he viewed as an opponent to his ideologies.

After Georgetown student Sandra Fluke argued before Congress in 2012 that her birth control should be covered by employer health insurance plans, Limbaugh faced swift backlash for calling her a “slut” in his radio show.

“Not one person says, ‘Well, did you ever think about maybe backing off the amount of sex you have?’” he said.

A frequent purveyor of racist tropes, Limbaugh once told a Black caller to “take that bone out of your nose and call me back” and said: “Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?”

He mocked the LGBTQ+ community, once saying, “When a gay person turns his back on you, it is anything but an insult; it’s an invitation,” and complained about women’s rights, lamenting: “Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.”

During that time, and over the last four years, he also cultivated a personal friendship with Trump; one that, like many other relationships involving the former president, was transactional in nature. Other conservative pundits held similar roles in the Trump era, including Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Judge Jeanine Pirro and Pete Hegseth. 

However, there was a clear and genuine bond between Limbaugh and Trump; two media moguls who earned historic levels of support among Americans refreshed by their unscripted candor, as well as shock and disapproval from those who rejected what they described as divisive and polarizing rhetoric.

Throughout his presidency, it was clear that Trump was at the very least considering Limbaugh’s positions on the issues while making decisions of national importance. 

In 2018, he threatened to shutdown the government ahead of the midterm elections in an effort to secure more funding for his long-promised US-Mexico border wall, telling a crowd at a Maga rally: “You know who thinks it should [be] before? Rush Limbaugh thinks it should be before. Before the election. You know who else? Sean Hannity.” 

At times, it almost seemed like Limbaugh couldn’t get Trump off the phone. 

The president would routinely call into his radio show, occasionally talking to Limbaugh for hours on end about his various grievances with the media and Democratic Party. 

Providing him with free rein and an open platform to his weekly audience of over 15 million listeners nationwide, Limbaugh would give Trump as much time as he pleased to use his airwaves.

The former president awarded Limbaugh the Medal of Freedom during the 2020 State of the Union, crediting him for “the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity.” 

On Wednesday, Trump issued a statement mourning the loss of his friend and unofficial adviser. 

“The great Rush Limbaugh has passed away to a better place, free from physical pain and hostility,” the former president’s statement read. “His honor, courage, strength and loyalty will never be replaced.” 

He described Limbaugh as a “guiding light with the ability to see the truth and paint vivid pictures over the airwaves.”