A day after conservative talk radio host and icon Rush Limbaugh announced that he had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, Limbaugh and wife Kathryn were guests of honor in First Lady Melania Trump’s box during President Donald Trump’s Tuesday evening State of the Union Address.

In addition to addressing Limbaugh directly, Trump surprised Limbaugh and the audience by revealing that not only would Limbaugh receive the Presidential Media of Freedom, but that it would be done immediately (with an assist from the First Lady).

Here was the President’s tribute to Limbaugh and express best wishes for what will be a fierce battle (click “expand”):

Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness. 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. Rush Limbaugh: Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country.

After a lengthy standing ovation, the President shared the news and instructed the First Lady to do the honor and place the medal around Limbaugh’s neck:

Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our Nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I will now ask the First Lady of the United States to please stand and present you with the honor. Rush, Kathryn, congratulations!

>>Check out Brent Bozell’s column for FoxNews.com about his friend Rush Limbaugh<<