By Meighan Coretti|Staff writerDuring the State of the Union (SOTU) address, just a day after conservative radio host, Rush Limbaugh, announced he had been diagnosed with stage four advanced lung cancer, President Donald J. Trump presented him with the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Limbaugh started his first national radio show in 1988 in New York and later relocated to Palm Beach, Florida. He intends to still host his show throughout treatment and is heavily relying on the support he has received from family, friends and his “deeply personal relationship with God.” Limbaugh’s idol, Ronald Reagan, once wrote a letter to Limbaugh stating, “You’ve become the number one voice for conservatism in our country.” Limbaugh read this on the air in December of 1992, sealing his reputation among conservatives. On Monday, Feb. 3, Limbaugh announced that he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer on his radio show, “The Rush Limbaugh Show”, breaking the hearts of millions that listen to him and his conservative, political transparency. He stated: “This day has been one of the most difficult days in recent memory, for me, because I’ve known this moment was coming. I can’t help but feel that I’m letting everybody down. The upshot is that I have been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer.” President Trump spoke of Limbaugh within the SOTU, having the utmost respect, as he stated that he is “the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet.” He continued to recognize the work that Limbaugh does for the people of this nation while thanking him for his “decades of tireless devotion to our country”. Limbaugh was seen in complete shock, with his hands placed over his mouth, when President Trump announced his award and First Lady Melania Trump presented him with the medal. According to Business Insider, CNN correspondent, Manu Raju, saw that Republican lawmakers gave the awardee a standing ovation while Democratic lawmakers appeared quiet. Limbaugh, full of emotions, received the award, flashed a thumbs-up sign, and then wiped the tears from his eyes before embracing his wife Kathryn Rogers. In a news release preceding the SOTU, the White House announced the award and described Limbaugh as “a champion of the Constitution, advocate of civic engagement and a committed patriot.” According to the Washington Post, Trump first made the announcement that he would reward Limbaugh at an off-the-record two-hour lunch after claiming he only just found out about Limbaugh’s diagnosis on Monday, Feb. 3. Contact Meighan Coretti at MCORETTI@augusta.edu