President Donald Trump reportedly marked the five-year anniversary of the death of conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh on Tuesday with a heartfelt video message honoring his friend and praising his enduring legacy.
In a video posted to Truth Social, Trump spoke directly to the camera from behind his desk in the Oval Office. The president reflected on Limbaugh’s impact on the country and on the conservative movement, describing him as “a really great man” who deeply loved America.
“Well, this is the fifth anniversary of the loss of a really great man, a great conservative, somebody that loved our country, loved his family, loved a lot of things, but he was a friend of mine, Rush Limbaugh,” Trump said.
Limbaugh, who died of cancer in 2021, was widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in conservative media. Trump used the moment to recall the early days of his own presidential campaign and Limbaugh’s early support.
“I’d never met Rush when I announced that I was running. I’ll never forget, 2015 and I got a call all excited that Rush Limbaugh just endorsed you,” Trump said. “I’d never met him. He liked my opening speech.”
The president went on to describe how Limbaugh responded positively to his campaign launch speech in June 2015, when Trump outlined concerns about issues facing the country.
“He liked when I got up in June and I said, ‘You know, well, we got bad borders, we got bad crime, we got bad everything,’” Trump recalled. “And he liked it. I came down the escalator with now our first lady, and he thought it was great.”
Trump said that after the endorsement, he got to know Limbaugh personally and came to appreciate him even more.
“And then I got to know him and I realized what a great guy he was,” Trump said. “But, it’s five years and we miss Rush.”
Echoing a phrase often used by Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump added, “There will never be another Rush Limbaugh.”
The president extended his condolences to Limbaugh’s family, including his wife, saying, “To his family, his great wife and family, I just want to say we miss you all, we miss him, and they’ll never be anybody like him.”
Trump’s admiration for Limbaugh was evident during his first term as well. In 2020, shortly after Limbaugh publicly announced his cancer diagnosis, Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
After leaving office in 2021, Trump’s first television appearance came on the day of Limbaugh’s death. He called into Fox News’ Outnumbered to remember the conservative radio powerhouse as “irreplaceable.”
Tuesday’s tribute served as a reminder of the close relationship between the president and the talk radio legend. Five years after his passing, Limbaugh’s influence on conservative politics and media continues to be felt, and Trump made clear that his legacy endures.
