In a nasty pre-taped obituary for conservative talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh just minutes after news broke of his death following a long cancer battle, CNN’s Brian Stelter tarred the late media personality as “racist,” “sexist,” and someone “whose legacy will always symbolize division.”
“Major breaking news just in to CNN, the conservative radio talk show icon Rush Limbaugh passed away today at age 70, that after a long battle with lung cancer....He created an entire industry with his voice, his brash, and his often inflammatory opinions,” anchor John King announced during the 12:00 p.m. ET hour. The report from Stelter began with the Reliable Sources host proclaiming: “A pioneer of conservative media and a deeply polarizing figure, Rush Limbaugh became the most prominent political radio host in modern American history.”
After going through some of Limbaugh biography and early radio career, the CNN hack went on the attack:
Fans, known as Dittoheads, cheered his brazen style. While critics blasted him for racist, sexist, and other offensive speech. He accused actor Michael J. Fox of exaggerating his Parkinson’s symptoms....And he insulted a college student who advocated for access to birth control....In 2003, his stint as an NFL commentator on ESPN lasted only four weeks. He resigned in the face of public outcry after suggesting Eagles quarterquack Donovan McNabb was overrated because of his race.
Stelter noted that “Limbaugh’s popularity survived all the controversies as well as his own personal struggles” mentioning the conservative thought leader’s hearing loss, but then emphasizing his struggle with an addiction to prescription pain medication: “...he admitted a drug problem....Limbaugh was arrested for doctor shopping in 2006, but went to rehab and the charge was dropped.”
Stelter then incredulously declared: “Through it all, he remained a hero to the right, defending Republicans from what he said was the biased liberal media.”
He wrapped up the disgraceful piece with a final jab, labeling Limbaugh: “A conservative media icon whose legacy will always symbolize division.”
Given the amount of incendiary partisan division Stelter serves up every week on his show, perhaps he should have enough humility to show some basic decency.
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Here is a full transcript of the February 17 segment:
12:32 PM ET
JOHN KING: Major breaking news just in to CNN, the conservative radio talk show icon Rush Limbaugh passed away today at age 70, that after a long battle with lung cancer. Rush’s wife Kathryn announced his death at the start of Limbaugh’s radio show just a short time ago. Limbaugh was an original, beyond a doubt, whether you agreed or disagreed. He created an entire industry with his voice, his brash, and his often inflammatory opinions.
BRIAN STELTER: A pioneer of conservative media and a deeply polarizing figure, Rush Limbaugh became the most prominent political radio host in modern American history.
RUSH LIMBAUGH: We make the complex understandable, and we do it in a way that makes you love your country, not hate it.
STELTER: He started as a Top-40 DJ.
LIMBAUGH: My program exclusively designed for rich conservatives and right-minded Republicans.
STELTER: But shifted to AM talk radio in the ’80s. His namesake show was nationally syndicated in 1988, eventually expanding to more than 600 radio stations. Fans, known as Dittoheads, cheered his brazen style. While critics blasted him for racist, sexist, and other offensive speech. He accused actor Michael J. Fox of exaggerating his Parkinson’s symptoms.
LIMBAUGH: He is moving all around and shaking, and it’s purely an act.
STELTER: And he insulted a college student who advocated for access to birth control.
LIMBAUGH: It makes her a slut, right? Makes her a prostitute.
STELTER: After sponsors dropped his show, Limbaugh apologized for that one.
LIMBAUGH: I again sincerely apologize to Ms. Luke for using those two words to describe her.
STELTER: In 2003, his stint as an NFL commentator on ESPN lasted only four weeks. He resigned in the face of public outcry after suggesting Eagles quarterquack Donovan McNabb was overrated because of his race.
LIMBAUGH: The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.
STELTER: But Limbaugh’s popularity survived all the controversies as well as his own personal struggles. In 2001, he suffered hearing loss from an autoimmune disease. Two years later, he admitted a drug problem.
LIMBAUGH: I am addicted to prescription pain medication.
STELTER: Limbaugh was arrested for doctor shopping in 2006, but went to rehab and the charge was dropped. Through it all, he remained a hero to the right, defending Republicans from what he said was the biased liberal media. Radio executives praised his storytelling abilities and his broadcasting talent. Limbaugh was a GOP kingmaker and a close ally of President Trump, with a direct line to the White House.
LIMBAUGH: I just received clearance. The President has gotten word to me that he is either getting funding for the border or he’s shutting the whole thing down.
STELTER: In 2020, President Trump awarded Limbaugh the Medal of Freedom at the State of the Union.
LIMBAUGH: In recognition of all that you have done for our nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and that you inspire.
STELTER: A day before, Limbaugh announced that he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, and he spoke directly to his radio audience.
LIMBAUGH: Over the years, a lot of people have been very nice telling me how much this program has meant to them. But whatever that is, it pales in comparison to what you all have meant to me.
STELTER: A conservative media icon whose legacy will always symbolize division.
