Rush Limbaugh

Outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday evening after the president's State of the Union speech, TMZ asked Rush Limbaugh how he felt about receiving the Medal of Freedom during the event and Limbaugh said he was "in a state of disbelief."

TMZ asked the talk-radio icon, "How do you feel about getting the presidential medal?"

Limbaugh noted it was TMZ, founded by Harvey Levin, and then said, "I'm in a state of disbelief! I'm honored as I can be by it."

He also said, "I am doing great. Who could not be doing great on a night like this?”

In reference to the medal, the TMZ reporter asked, "Is it everything you thought?"

Limbaugh replied, “Oh, I didn’t think – that’s the thing, I’m still in a state of disbelief about it.”





“But I’m accepting it!" said Limbaugh. “I’ll take it!”

The TMZ reporter then said something to the effect -- audio is garbled -- that only great people receive that honor, and Limbaugh said, "Thank you, thank you very much, I appreciate that."

Limbaugh was accompanied by his wife, Kathryn Adams. During the State of the Union, President Trump said, "Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country. 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!"

Radio personality Rush Limbaugh pumps thumb after being awarded the Medal of Freedom by First Lady Melania Trump after being acknowledged by US President Donald Trump as he delivers the State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2020. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the White House, the Medal of Freedom was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and is "the Nation’s highest civilian honor. It is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

"Past recipients have been movers and shakers in a range of fields, including public service, medicine, journalism, entertainment, and business. The impressive list of past honorees includes Steven Spielberg, Muhammad Ali, Angela Merkel, Nancy Reagan, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King, Jr."



