In early March, President Trump pitched the idea of hosting a daily two-hour radio show to speak to Americans about the coronavirus crisis, The New York Times reported.

But that same day, he nixed the idea because he didn't want to compete with Rush Limbaugh, White House officials who heard the pitch told the Times.

On his radio program, Limbaugh has criticized the US lockdowns, compared COVID-19 to the common cold, and pushed a theory that deaths figures are being inflated.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump wanted to start a daily two-hour radio show during the coronavirus outbreak, but ultimately decided against the idea because he didn't want to compete with Rush Limbaugh, according to The New York Times.

Trump pitched the idea at a daily meeting of the coronavirus task force in early March, the Times said.

White House officials who were at the meeting said that the president wanted the show to be on every day, for two hours, and have an open, un-screened line to let Americans call in and speak to him about the pandemic.

But that same day, he nixed the idea because he didn't want to compete with conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, who hosts a three-hour show on weekdays.

Rush Limbaugh gives President Trump a thumbs-up after being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February. Patrick Semansky/AP

Throughout the coronavirus outbreak, Limbaugh has downplayed the virus by calling it the "common cold" and saying that the "panic is just not warranted."

He's pushed the idea that governments are inflating coronavirus death counts, and said shutting down the economy is playing into the hands of other nations.

"Can you imagine our enemies watching this? You think the Chinese are not laughing themselves silly over how easy this has been?" Limbaugh said on his March 13 show.

He's also suggested that the virus is a conspiracy designed as a "political hit job" against Trump's presidency.

Limbaugh's conjecture on the virus led one progressive group to buy ads during the show's time slot attacking Limbaugh.

The group, 314 Action, which backs candidates with a backgrounds in science, is airing ads that call Limbaugh a "national disgrace" for attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci and others "who are trying to help save lives and stop the spread of coronavirus."

Limbaugh was one of the first major conservative figures to support Trump, and is a favorite of his. At the State of the Union in February, Trump surprised Limbaugh, who is battling late-stage lung cancer, by giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Business Insider contacted the White House for comment on the Times report, but did not immediately receive a response. The White House declined to comment to the Times.