Rush Limbaugh

Limbaugh asserted that the United States was not ready to elect "a gay guy kissing his husband" and contrasted that image with Donald Trump, prompting bipartisan criticism and a direct response from Pete Buttigieg.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Limbaugh described the novel coronavirus as "the common cold", said media coverage was being used against Trump and speculated without evidence about a possible Chinese biological weapons programme. The claims were condemned as false or misleading early in the pandemic.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following law student Sandra Fluke's testimony supporting contraceptive coverage, Limbaugh called her a "slut" and a "prostitute". A wave of criticism followed, and dozens of advertisers withdrew their advertisements.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Limbaugh caricatured the Chinese language while commenting on an untranslated speech by President Hu Jintao. Chinese-American elected officials condemned racist stereotyping, and California Senator Leland Yee called for a boycott of programme advertisers.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After the Haiti earthquake, Limbaugh suggested that donations made through WhiteHouse.gov would incur high administrative costs and might politically benefit the Obama administration. Fact-checks showed that the White House did not process donations but linked to charities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Limbaugh repeatedly broadcast a satirical song entitled "Barack the Magic Negro", a phrase borrowed from a Los Angeles Times column headline, prompting criticism over use of an archaic racial term in satire targeting Barack Obama.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Limbaugh acknowledged dependence on prescription painkillers in 2003 and entered rehabilitation. After a lengthy investigation, he surrendered in 2006 on a fraud charge concerning obtaining multiple prescriptions. An agreement provided for dismissal after eighteen months of treatment and compliance with conditions, without a guilty plea.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following a political advertisement featuring Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease, Limbaugh mimicked his movements and speculated that he had stopped taking medication or was acting. The episode prompted widespread outrage.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

On Sunday NFL Countdown, Limbaugh argued that Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted a black quarterback to succeed. After major controversy, he resigned from ESPN.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated