WATCH: ‘Fox & Friends’ Interviews Kathryn Limbaugh One Year After Rush’s Passing

Thursday marked one-year since the last Passing of American icon and conservative talk radio legend Rush Limbaugh and, to mark the date, the Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends had co-host Ainsley Earhardt interview Rush’s widow Kathryn about how she’s been over the past year, Rush’s faith, his hobbies, how he came to be, and what he’d think of America over the past year.

“It is hard to believe but today marks one year since the passing of radio icon, our friend, Rush Limbaugh. I had a chance to sit down with his beautiful wife Kathryn to reflect on his life and his legacy, and what he would think of America today,” Earhardt stated this in the lead in to the airing of the interview excerpt at 6:00 Eastern Time. It was later reaired just two hours later. It is fully availableFox Nation

Earhardt began the interview by asking Kathryn how she’s been and complimenting her on the Palm Beach home she shared with Rush (click “expand”):

EARHARDT – Thank you for inviting us to your lovely home. Where are you at the moment? It’s been over a year.  

KATHRYN LIMBAGH: For the most part, I’m doing fine. It’s been difficult. But knowing that there are so many out there praying and praying for Rush makes it seem like the country lost. 

EARHARDT – I was able to feel his presence when we pulled up in your driveway. He was attracted to the many American symbols that are displayed throughout his house. 

K. LIMBAUGH : It really does represent Rush, and not just because it is grand. It’s not him. This is American success.

After reliving Rush’s rise (with clips of a few trademark catchphrases thrown in), they shifted to his hobbies, which Kathryn said consisted of “always” being “mentally engaged, whether it was watching a television program or reading his iPad.”

She added that it embodied his belief “that life is show prep and I think it was very much, in his case.”

Earhardt remarked on his faith “grew later in life and especially toward the end,”Kathryn Rush was the result “believed strongly in his relationship with God”And that “there was a much higher plan, a much higher purpose.”

Following discussion of his cancer diagnosis and that he was able to subsequently “hear some of the wonderful eulogies,” Earhardt went to the day of his passing, what Kathryn “miss[es] the most,” and if it’s “hit” her how much “impact…your family has on this country” (click “expand”):

EARHARDT 

K. LIMBAUGH [on 02/17/21]: This morning, our dear Rush died. [BACK PRESENT]They should hear the devastating news as quickly and easily as possible. This audience was likely to remember the place they were in that moment when their hero died. 

EARHARDT – What do you most love about him and what are you most disappointed in? 

K. LIMBAUGH – He is one of a sort. We believed that America was on the verge of its best days. While he might have said that I was just a voice over the radio, he was actually so much more. His nickname is America’s Winston Churchill.  

R. LIMBAUGH [on 02/28/09]: The country should survive. I desire the country’s success.  

EARHARDT: The impact that your family has on this country — has that hit you? 

K. LIMBAUGH: Absolutely. Rush’s remains are buried in St. Louis. Two benches are there because Rush wanted to be able to chat with anybody who came to see him. It was while I was there that I received my rosary from Rush. 

EARHARDT: So beautiful. 

K. LIMBAUGH : Through these people, he lives on. 

A few moments later, the excerpt ended with Earhardt complimenting Kathryn on how she’s been “a wonderful wife” and “continue[d] to share your thanks and your love for the people listening,” which led Kathryn to emphasize that Rush’s “audience meant everything to him and we want that to carry on and make sure that we continue our American values, that we continue to have pride for our symbols.”

As for what he’d say now, Kathryn relayed: “[H]He would be furious. He would be upset with — with the United States not being as strong as it has been and should be. He would probably say, “It’s not the time to panic!”.”

Steve Doocy was quick to react to the 6:01 a.m. Eastern broadcast. “that report was great because it was so much about Rush and it reminds us how much we miss him,” Even those who didn’t know that they could tune in to someone else, no matter where they might be during the show. “a great broadcaster,” educator, “and an amazing entertainer.”

Two hours later, Earhardt said Kathryn wanted viewers to know how thankful she’s been “for the outpouring of support, all the letters, all the flowers, they cover the gates at the end of the driveway. Fans would come by there and put mini-microphones and flowers and notes.”

Click here to see FNC transcripts starting February 17.

And to watch Rush’s speech from our 2017 MRC Gala, you can do so here.