State of the Union: Rush Limbaugh given Medal of Freedom by Melania Trump during address
Controversial right-wing radio host honoured a day after revealing cancer diagnosis
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Donald Trump has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the controversial right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh during his State of the Union address, asking the first lady to put it round his neck while Republican politicians cheered.
The conservative commentator, who announced this week that he had stage four lung cancer, appeared overwhelmed by the honour, putting his hands together as if in prayer.
The president said: "Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness. Here tonight is a special man, someone 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. 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 honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I will now ask the First Lady of the United States to please stand and present you with the honour. Rush, Kathryn, congratulations!"
Melania Trump then put the medal around his neck as Republican politicians cheered.
The outspoken Mr Limbaugh has long been a hero to the right and the scourge of the left.
While many on social media wished him well following the announcement of his diagnosis, despite political differences, others pointed out his own previous lack of sympathy with the illnesses of people he disagreed with.
In 2006 he mocked the actor Michael J Fox, one of the world's best known spokespeople on Parkinson's disease and an advocate for stem cell research, for the shaking caused by the condition. Mimmicking the Back to the Future star's shaking during a political ad, Mr Limbaugh tells listeners: "He's either off his medication or acting. He is an actor after all."
The clip started trending on Monday after Mr Limbaugh's announcement.
Mr Trump is known to enjoy bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States, particularly favouring sportsmen like Tiger Woods, Bob Cousy, Jerry West and Mariano Rivera.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments