OPINION | Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those held by Sarah Palin.
As conservative talk show icon Rush Limbaugh was enjoying his Tuesday evening, watching President Trump’s State of the Union address and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta was busy criticizing him and accusing him of being racist.
Acosta, speaking of Trump’s address, said: “He was trying to make appeals to the African American community, [but] it can’t be forgotten that he was awarded the Medal of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh, who has a history of making derogatory comments about African Americans.”
“So I think, you know, overall, it’s a wash,” the CNN correspondent added via the Washington Examiner.
According to the report, several people immediately responded to the comment and defended Limbaugh—who recently revealed he has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham defended Limbaugh, who she called “a dear friend,” saying Acosta was “disgusting” for making the comment.
“Jim Acosta is disgusting. That is a disgusting comment. Disgusting comment and false,” Ingraham said during a segment on the “Laura Ingraham Show.”
“Every time they lose, they cry racism. Every time they lose, they say, ‘You’re a mean, horrible xenophobe.’ It’s insult after insult. What they accuse Trump of … is what they do routinely,” she added
AOC skipped the SOTU, but did chime in to mock Rush Limbaugh just a day after his cancer diagnosis was made public https://t.co/vhGvWsAYw6
— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) February 5, 2020
James Golden, who produces Limbaugh’s talk show, said he has worked with Limbaugh for 30 years and challenged Acosta to produce any evidence to support his claim.
As the Washington Examiner reports, Golden goes by his pseudonym “Bo Snerdley” on social media.
“I just saw the footage from CNN’s Jim Acosta saying Rush has a ‘history’ of saying disparaging things about African Americans. I have been in the studio with Rush for 30 years. I would like to formally challenge CNN and @Acosta to provide the list,” Golden said in a tweet.
I just saw the footage from CNN's Jim Acosta saying Rush has a "history" of saying disparaging things about African Americans. I have been in the studio with Rush for 30 years. I would like to formally challenge CNN and @Acosta to provide the list.
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) February 5, 2020
Former Governor Mike Huckabee also defended Limbaugh, demanding CNN apologize on-air for Acosta’s remark.
“It’s time for CNN to either provide the list or apologize on air for another piece of FAKE NEWS. I believe @BoSnerdley knows Rush better than anyone at CNN. Will CNN have the integrity to put up or shut up? Waiting and watching,” Huckabee said.
It's time for CNN to either provide the list or apologize on air for another piece of FAKE NEWS. I believe @BoSnerdley knows Rush better than anyone at CNN. Will CNN have the integrity to put up or shut up? Waiting and watching. https://t.co/4ldB6sgTg6
— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) February 5, 2020
A visibly emotional Rush Limbaugh received the highest civilian honor, one day after revealing his advanced lung cancer diagnosis. https://t.co/fMVOB0zvdP
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 5, 2020
USA Today adds:
A visibly emotional Rush Limbaugh received the highest civilian honor one day after revealing his “advanced lung cancer” diagnosis.
During the State of the Union address on Tuesday, President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the conservative radio host, his longtime friend.
“Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness,” Trump said during his speech. “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.”
Trump added, “Rush Limbaugh, thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country.”