Former President Donald Trump, who gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh, called in to Fox News to discuss the passing of the legendary broadcaster.
“He was special” Trump said during the interview, saying he spoke to him just a few days ago.
“He was very brave. He could’ve been gone months ago, but he was fighting to the very end,” Trump said of Limbaugh’s fight. “He was a fantastic man, a fantastic talent. People, whether they loved him or not, they respected him. They really did.”
Trump went on to explain that he hadn’t really met Limbaugh before his foray into politics and eventually the Presidency, but they went on to become friends. “He had an insight that few people have – even really good ones, pros in your business,” Trump explained. “He was a very unique guy – he got it, he really got it. He was very street smart.”
Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer said that given the topic it wasn’t appropriate to ask questions on other topics before asking more questions about the late radio legend.
“Right from the beginning he was so great, and I have a very beautiful weakness. I always seem to like people that like me. It’s much easier. When they don’t like me I tend to not go for them as much. Call that a strength or call that a weakness, but that’s the way it is. But Rush was so gracious and so great and then over a period of time I got to know him. He loved this country. He loved his wife and his family and he loved his fans, his audience,” Trump said.
“There aren’t too many legends around, but he is a legend.”
Hemmer asked Trump what Rush told him after the night of November 3rd, the election. “What were those conversations like?” the anchor asked.
“Well Rush thought we won, and so do I, by the way. I think we won substantially and Rush thought we won. He thought it was over at ten o’clock, ten thirty. A lot of other people feel that way, too. But Rush felt that way strongly, and many people do. Many professionals do. I don’t think that could’ve happened to a democrat. You would’ve had riots going all over the place if that happened to a democrat,” Trump explained, referring specifically to the initial days immediately after the election.
Limbaugh’s illness advanced in the coming days and weeks, and Trump explained how hard Limbaugh worked to remain on the air despite being so sick.
Harris Faulkner attempted to steer Trump into an answer on what he was doing with his future plans, by asking if he and Limbaugh had ever discussed what the former President should focus on next. Trump didn’t take the bait and instead continued talking about Limbaugh, eventually summing it up with one sentiment:
“He was a great man.”