Editing Rush Limbaugh (section)

== Influence and legacy ==

[[File:State of the Union 2020 (49493531303).jpg|thumb|upright|Limbaugh after being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020]]

Limbaugh was widely recognized as one of the leading voices of the conservative movement in the United States, beginning in the 1990s. Former president [[Ronald Reagan]] thanked him in a 1992 letter, giving him credit "for all you're doing to promote Republican and conservative principles{{nbsp}}... [and] you have become the Number One voice for conservatism in our Country."<ref name="Suddath">{{Cite magazine|last=Suddath|first=Claire|date=March 4, 2009|title=Conservative Radio Host Rush Limbaugh |url=https://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1882947,00.html |access-date=February 6, 2020 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|quote=Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women access to the mainstream of society. [''The Rush Limbaugh Show'', August 12, 2005]|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224205430/http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1882947,00.html|archive-date=December 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Bowman|first1=James|date=August 1, 2003|title=Rush: The Leader of The Opposition|magazine=[[National Review]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/207702/rush-leader-opposition/james-bowman|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321104154/http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/207702/rush-leader-opposition/james-bowman|archive-date=March 21, 2012}}</ref> In 1994, Republicans in the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] made Limbaugh an honorary member.<ref name="Seelye"/>

From 1994, Limbaugh served as the inspiration for the character of [[List of recurring The Simpsons characters#Birch Barlow|Birch Barlow]], a conservative radio talk show host on ''[[The Simpsons]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Greg |title=A deep dive into Birch Barlow, the 'Rush Limbaugh' of The Simpsons |url=https://www.indy100.com/ents/simpsons-rush-limbaugh-parody-birch-barlow-b1804175 |website=indy100.com |date=February 21, 2021 |access-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210522194854/https://www.indy100.com/ents/simpsons-rush-limbaugh-parody-birch-barlow-b1804175 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1995, Limbaugh was profiled on the [[PBS]] series ''[[Frontline (U.S. TV program)|Frontline]]'' in a one-hour documentary called "Rush Limbaugh's America". Limbaugh refused to be interviewed, but his mother, brother, and many Republican supporters took part, as well as critics and opponents.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/28/arts/television-review-what-makes-rush-limbaugh-tick-so-loudly.html|title=Television Review, What Makes Rush Limbaugh Tick So Loudly|last=Goodman|first=Walter|date=February 28, 1995|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420064358/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/28/arts/television-review-what-makes-rush-limbaugh-tick-so-loudly.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

By the 1990s, Limbaugh had become known for his love of [[cigar]]s, saying, "I think cigars are just a tremendous addition to the enjoyment of life."<ref name="Rothstein">{{cite magazine|last1=Rothstein|first1=Mervyn|date=Spring 1994|title=Rush's Judgment|url=https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/rushs-judgment-6019|magazine=[[Cigar Aficionado]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710042842/https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/rushs-judgment-6019|url-status=live}}</ref> During his syndicated television program from 1992 to 1996, he also became known for wearing distinctive [[neckties]]. In response to viewer interest, Limbaugh launched a series of ties<ref name="Parker">{{cite news|title=Ties loud, just like Limbaugh|last=Parker|first=Penny|date=March 20, 1996|work=[[Denver Post]]|page=C–1}}</ref> designed primarily by his then-wife Marta.<ref name="Vinciguerra"/>

Limbaugh was awarded the [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards|Marconi Radio Award]] for Syndicated Radio Personality of the Year by the [[National Association of Broadcasters]] five times: 1992, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/133371/nab-announces-2014-marconi-awards-winners?ref=mail_bulletin|title=NAB Announces 2014 Marconi Awards Winners|date=September 11, 2014 |publisher=www.allaccess.com |access-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710071307/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/133371/nab-announces-2014-marconi-awards-winners?ref=mail_bulletin}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=At War With Metaphor: Media, Propaganda, and Racism in the War on Terror |first1=Erin|last1=Steuter|first2=Deborah|last2=Wills |date=2008|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-0-7391-2198-6|location=Lanham, Maryland|page=134 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zY4fJXORN-MC&pg=PA134|access-date=July 9, 2018}}</ref> He was inducted into the [[National Radio Hall of Fame]] in 1993 and the [[National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame]] in 1998.<ref name="Gay">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZzQVpPvlVMcC&pg=PA387|title=American Dissidents: An Encyclopedia of Activists, Subversives, and Prisoners of Conscience|author=Gay, Kathlyn|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2012|isbn=978-1-59884-764-2|pages=387}}</ref><ref name="Kidder">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9KOHEPbBBbIC&pg=PA323|title=The Intellectual Devotional Modern Culture: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Converse Confidently with the Culturati|author=Kidder, David S.|author2=Oppenheim, Noah D.|year=2008 |publisher=Rodale|isbn=978-1-60529-793-4|page=323}}</ref> By 2001, he inked a {{USD|285|link=yes}}&nbsp;million contract for eight years, which was renewed in 2008 for another eight years at $400 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Lucrative Deal for Rush Limbaugh|last1=Stelter|first1=Brian |date=July 3, 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/business/media/03radio.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180710071247/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/business/media/03radio.html}}</ref> By 2017, Limbaugh was the second-highest-paid radio host in the United States, earning an annual salary of $84 million, second only to [[Howard Stern]].<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 5, 2017 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2017/10/05/the-worlds-highest-paid-radio-hosts-2017/#46ef059451fb|last1=Cuccinello|first1=Hayley C.|title=The World's Highest-Paid Radio Hosts 2017 |magazine=[[Forbes]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041845/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hayleycuccinello/2017/10/05/the-worlds-highest-paid-radio-hosts-2017/#46ef059451fb}}</ref> In 2002, ''[[Talkers Magazine]]'' ranked him as the greatest-ever radio talk show host;<ref>{{cite magazine|date=September 2002|title=The 25 Greatest Radio Talk Show Hosts of All Time|url=http://www.talkers.com/greatest/|magazine=[[Talkers (magazine)|Talkers]]|access-date=January 29, 2006|url-status=live|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016215652/http://talkers.com/greatest/}}</ref> in 2017, he was the most-listened-to radio host in the United States, with 14 million listeners.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Top Talk Audiences|url=http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-audiences/|magazine=[[Talkers Magazine|Talkers]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=September 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906064456/http://www.talkers.com/top-talk-audiences/}}</ref> Limbaugh is given much of the credit for having revived [[AM broadcasting|AM radio]] at a time when most people had switched to [[FM broadcasting|FM]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn|date=February 17, 2021 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dawnchmielewski/2021/02/17/rush-limbaugh-led-a-radio-revolution-that-earned-him-more-than-1-billion/|title=Rush Limbaugh Led A Radio Revolution That Earned Him More Than $1 Billion|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=February 19, 2021|archive-date=March 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329220446/https://www.forbes.com/sites/dawnchmielewski/2021/02/17/rush-limbaugh-led-a-radio-revolution-that-earned-him-more-than-1-billion/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Conservative magazine ''[[Human Events]]'' announced Limbaugh as their 2007 Man of the Year.<ref name="Levin">{{cite news|url=http://humanevents.com/2008/01/07/man-of-the-year-rush-limbaugh/|title=Man of the Year: Rush Limbaugh|last1=Levin|first1=Mark R.|date=January 7, 2008|newspaper=[[Human Events]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710040611/http://humanevents.com/2008/01/07/man-of-the-year-rush-limbaugh/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that same year, [[Barbara Walters]] featured Limbaugh as one of the most fascinating people of the year in a special that aired on December 4, 2008.<ref name="Dimond">{{cite magazine|last1=Dimond|first1=Anna|date=December 1, 2008|title=Barbara Walters Gets Up Close with 2008's Most Fascinating People|url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/barbara-walters-special-1000398/|magazine=[[TV Guide]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710042451/http://www.tvguide.com/news/barbara-walters-special-1000398/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 28, 2009, following his self-described "first address to the nation" lasting 90 minutes, carried live on [[CNN]] and [[Fox News]] and recorded for [[C-SPAN]], Limbaugh received [[Conservative Political Action Conference|CPAC]]'s "Defender of the Constitution Award", a document signed by [[Benjamin Franklin]], given to someone "who has stood up for the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]]&nbsp;... Rush Limbaugh is for America, exactly what Benjamin Franklin did for the [[Founding Fathers]]&nbsp;... the only way we will be successful is if we listen to Rush Limbaugh", reads the citation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2009/02/28/rush_s_first_televised_address_to_the_nation_conservative_political_action_conference_cpac_speech|title=Rush's First Televised Address to the Nation: Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Speech|date=February 28, 2009|website=RushLimbaugh.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213015832/http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2009/02/28/rush_s_first_televised_address_to_the_nation_conservative_political_action_conference_cpac_speech|archive-date=February 13, 2012|access-date=January 31, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Rush Limbaugh 5-14-2012 12-43-07 PM (7198075278).jpg|thumb|Limbaugh ''(left)'' next to his bust at the [[Hall of Famous Missourians]] in 2012]]

In his 2010 book, ''Rush Limbaugh: An Army of One'', [[Ze'ev Chafets]] cited Limbaugh as "the brains and the spirit behind" the Republican Party's resurgence in the [[United States elections, 2010|2010 midterm elections]] in the wake of the [[2008 United States presidential election|election]] of President [[Barack Obama|Obama]].{{sfn|Chafets|2010a|p={{page needed|date=October 2021}}}} Chafets pointed, among others, to [[U.S. Senate|Sen.]] [[Arlen Specter]]'s defeat, after being labeled by Limbaugh as a "[[Republican in Name Only]]", and to [[Sarah Palin]], whose "biggest current applause line{{Snd}} Republicans are not just the party of no, but the party of hell no{{Snd}} came courtesy of Mr. Limbaugh." The author continued with ..."Limbaugh has argued the 'party-of-no' conservative course for the Republicans vigorously, notably since six weeks after Obama's inauguration, and has been fundamental to, and encouraging to, the more prominently noted [[Tea Party movement]]".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chafets|first1=Ze'ev|date=May 19, 2010b|title=The Limbaugh Victory|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/opinion/20chafets.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 9, 2018|url-status=live|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180710071400/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/opinion/20chafets.html}}</ref>

Rush Limbaugh was inducted into the [[Hall of Famous Missourians]] on May 14, 2012, in a secret ceremony announced only 20 minutes before it began in order to prevent negative media attention.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/rush-limbaugh-inducted-hall-famo|title=Rush Limbaugh inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians|last1=Naik|first1=Richa|date=May 18, 2012|access-date=July 9, 2018|publisher=[[MSNBC]]|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041304/http://www.msnbc.com/the-ed-show/rush-limbaugh-inducted-hall-famo|url-status=live}}</ref> A bronze bust of Limbaugh is on display at the [[Missouri State Capitol]] building in [[Jefferson City]], along with 40 other awardees. Limbaugh's bust includes a security camera to prevent vandalism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fox2now.com/2012/05/22/rush-limbaughs-bust-on-display-in-state-capital/|title=Rush Limbaugh's Bust On Display In State Capital|date=May 22, 2012|work=Fox2now.com|access-date=August 2, 2012|url-status=live|archive-date=October 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015101631/http://fox2now.com/2012/05/22/rush-limbaughs-bust-on-display-in-state-capital/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rush Bust Gets Its Own Dittocam – The Rush Limbaugh Show |url=http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/05/25/rush_bust_gets_its_own_dittocam|date=May 25, 2012 |website=Rushlimbaugh.com|access-date=August 2, 2012|url-status=live|archive-date=July 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730071725/http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2012/05/25/rush_bust_gets_its_own_dittocam}}</ref>

On February 4, 2020, the day after he announced that he had advanced lung cancer, Limbaugh was a guest of President [[Donald Trump]] at the [[2020 State of the Union Address]], where he was presented with the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by [[Melania Trump]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Al-Arshani|first=Sarah |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-to-award-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-rush-limbaugh-2020-2 |title=Trump awards controversial talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, who has advanced lung cancer, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at SOTU|date=February 4, 2020|work=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205030212/https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-to-award-presidential-medal-of-freedom-to-rush-limbaugh-2020-2|archive-date=February 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>