Don Imus, a legendary radio personality, died Friday at Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in College Station, Texas. He was 79 years old.
Imus passed away after being hospitalized on Christmas Eve, according to the statement from his family. No cause of death was given.
Known for his oversized cowboy hat and savage brand of comedy, Imus hosted the popular radio show “Imus in the Morning” for nearly half a century. He was a pioneer of the shock jock genre and refused to tone down his sometimes-offensive commentary and pranks, even in an era of political correctness.
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Imus retired in January 2018, telling fans: “Turn out the lights … the party’s over.”
Beyond his popularity as a radio DJ, Imus was respected for his decades of private charity work. He raised millions for wounded veterans of the Iraq war, children with cancer and siblings of victims of sudden infant death syndrome.
“He sexually harassed multiple women I know personally”
However, for some, Imus is defined by derogatory on-air remarks he made in 2017 about the Rutgers women’s basketball team, including referring to the players as “nappy-headed hos.” Amid national outcry, both CBS Radio and MSNBC dropped his show.
On Friday, immediately after news of his death broke, liberals rushed to trash Imus on Twitter.
Essence editor Yesha Callahan said: “I’ll never forget when Don Imus called the Rutgers women’s basketball team ‘nappy-headed hos’ and ‘Jigaboos’ ….bye.”
I'll never forget when Don Imus called the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" and "Jigaboos"….bye.
— Yesha (@YeshaCallahan) December 27, 2019
Writer and activist Yashar Ali acknowledged Imus was a “pioneer in his field.” But suggested that was unimportant because the host was “a racist and misogynist.”
“He sexually harassed multiple women I know personally,” Ali said.
Don Imus was a racist and misogynist. He sexually harassed multiple women I know personally.
Was he a pioneer in his field? Sure. So was Roger Ailes.
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) December 27, 2019
Comedian Rae Sanni said of Imus’ death: “A victory for nappy headed hos everywhere.”
Don Imus has died. A victory for nappy headed hos everywhere.
— Rae Sanni (@raesanni) December 27, 2019
Some liberals sought to strike a more balanced tone.
CNN host Brian Stelter praised The New York Times’ obituary for describing Imus’ humor as “sometimes racist, sexist or homophobic,” but also mentioning his charity work.
In public he was an irascible growler "who led pranks and parodies that could be tasteless, obscene and sometimes racist, sexist or homophobic." In private he raised millions for wounded vets and kids with cancer. NYT's obit captures all of Imus https://t.co/PjMtcWsAsx
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) December 27, 2019
Never one to pull punches, Rolling Stone editor Matt Taibbi simply said Imus was “a good man and always kind to me.”
Very saddened to hear of the death of Don Imus, a radio legend. He was a good man and always kind to me. https://t.co/a1oOIdSgba
— Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) December 27, 2019
However, that was too much for some, quickly triggering efforts to “cancel” Taibbi, who faced his own allegations of misogyny in 2017.
If you're surprised by Matt Taibbi mourning Don Imus & calling him "a good man", read his (now deleted) 2007 piece, where he uses the N-word, blames black people for Imus saying "nappy headed hos", & whines that white people can't make racist jokes.https://t.co/cQmTeVEh0P pic.twitter.com/QOYlrJK2Ez
— Avi Bueno (@Avi_Bueno) December 28, 2019
Meanwhile, conservatives tweeted unequivocal praise for Imus.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham said, “In his heyday Imus was the best interviewer—an epic talent.”
In his heyday Imus was the best interviewer—an epic talent. Many great on-air memories in his Astoria studios, and (sorry, haters) responsible for my 17-year radio career. “Don Imus, Legendary 'Imus in the Morning' Host, Dies at 79 https://t.co/H0YPhRrxtp
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) December 27, 2019
“Mike and the Mad Dog” host Mike Francesca said: “Shocking news on the passing of my friend, Don Imus. He will long be remembered as one of the true giants in the history of radio. My thoughts and prayers to Deirdre and Wyatt. God speed.”
Don Imus, a fighter
Two years after the scandal over his comments about the Rutgers women, Imus made a comeback. In September 2019, he signed a multi-year contract with Fox Business Network, with Fox anchors appearing during the program. But in March of that year, he announced on-air that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, provoking an outpouring of sympathy.
Imus is survived by two sons, four daughters and his wife of 25 years, Dierdre.
“Don loved and adored Deirdre, who unconditionally loved him back, loved spending his time watching Wyatt become a highly skilled, champion rodeo rider and calf roper, and loved and supported Zachary, who first met the Imus family at age 10 when he participated in the Imus Ranch program for kids with cancer, having battled and overcome leukemia, eventually becoming a member of the Imus family and Don and Deirdre’s second son,” Imus’ family said in a statement.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news of Imus’ death, his family will hold a private service “in the coming days. They will ask for donations to be made to the Imus Ranch Foundation.
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