President Donald Trump on Tuesday commemorated the fifth anniversary of the death of conservative radio icon Rush Limbaugh, honoring the longtime broadcaster as \u201ca really great man\u201d who left a lasting mark on American politics and media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a video message filmed at his desk in the Oval Office and later posted to Truth Social, Trump reflected on his personal friendship with Limbaugh and praised the late host\u2019s patriotism and influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cWell, this is the fifth anniversary of the loss of a really great man, a great conservative, somebody that loved our country, loved his family,\u201d Trump said. \u201cHe was a friend of mine, Rush Limbaugh.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Limbaugh, who died in February 2021 at age 70 after a battle with advanced lung cancer, was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern conservative media. For more than three decades, The Rush Limbaugh Show<\/em> dominated talk radio, reaching millions of listeners daily and helping shape the ideological direction of the Republican Party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump recalled that he had never personally met Limbaugh at the time the radio host endorsed his 2016 presidential campaign \u2014 an endorsement that many political observers viewed as a pivotal moment in the Republican primary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cI\u2019d never met Rush when I announced that I was running,\u201d Trump said. \u201cI\u2019ll never forget, 2015 and I got a call all excited that Rush Limbaugh just endorsed you. I\u2019d never met him. He liked my opening speech.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Trump was referring to his June 2015 campaign launch, when he descended the escalator at Trump Tower and delivered remarks that focused heavily on border security, crime, and national sovereignty \u2014 themes that would become central pillars of his campaign and presidency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cHe liked when I got up in June and I said, \u2018We got bad borders, we got bad crime, we got bad everything,\u2019\u201d Trump continued. \u201cHe liked it. I came down the escalator with now our first lady, and he thought it was great.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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