Update: Tests show nothing wrong with Limbaugh's heart
Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh is due to be released from a Honolulu hospital after tests showed nothing wrong with his heart, the Associated Press reported on Friday evening.
"The pain was real, and they don't know what caused it," Limbaugh said.
Limbaugh had been rushed to a Honolulu hospital "in serious condition" Wednesday afternoon after complaining of chest pains.
ABC affiliate KITV reported that paramedics took the arch-conservative radio host to Queen's Medical Center just after 2:30 p.m. local time Wednesday after he complained of chest pains at the resort where he was spending the holidays.
"Coincidentally, his visit comes at a time when two of the nation's most powerful Democrats, President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are also staying in Hawaii," the news station reported.
The report was then corroborated by Fox affiliate KHON.
Limbaugh has a long and public history of health problems. Besides his predilection for cigars and obvious weight problem, the conservative radio icon also has a storied history of prescription drug abuse.
Late Wednesday, a message at his website stated, "Rush was admitted to a Honolulu hospital today and is resting comfortably after suffering chest pains. Rush appreciates your prayers and well wishes. He will keep you updated via RushLimbaugh.com and on Thursday's radio program."
Rumor that Limbaugh passed on rocketed across the Internet Wednesday evening.
From celebrity site lalate news:
Suddenly, Rush Limbaugh and Eminem have something in common - the victim of fake dead reports. While Eminem and Nick Jonas have dominated false death reports of winter 2009, Limbaugh is yet another in a series of celebrities that heats up death reports on the mere indication of a hospitalization. Another recent such victim was Tiger Woods’ mother-in-law, also hospitalized this winter.
The conservative Examiner noted in a post entitled "Rush Limbaugh is not dead, resting comfortably in hospital" that "RushLimbaugh.com also puts to bed the rumors floating around on internet blogs that Rush Limbaugh was dead."
Ryan Gamble adds,
Reading the alert, his web site makes it seem like Rush Limbaugh will be doing his radio program on Thursday. The odds are better that someone on his program makes an announcement, or that someone speaks for him and that is broadcast as the news during his program. It's a good move to reach out to his fans right away, but the limited details in the statement are why rumors are all over the internet.
An Associated Press report notes that the vacationing Limbaugh isn't scheduled to be back on air until next week.
"Kit Carson, Limbaugh's chief of staff, told The Associated Press that he had no further information on Limbaugh's condition," the AP reported. "He said the 58-year-old left for his usual Christmas vacation on Dec. 23 and is due to return to his show on Jan. 4. Carson didn't have any information on whether that schedule would change."
Gossip website Radar notes, "Shortly after the news broke that the conservative political radio talk show host was hospitalized, Wikipedia updated his page – and pronounced him dead."
"Rush, of course, was very much alive and about 15 minutes later Wikipedia pronounced him so, altering their bio by removing the information that he had died," the site notes.
The discussion page for Limbaugh's Wikipedia entry notes that at least one unnamed user wrote, "He died. Rest in peace, Rush."
Another user wrote after the initial report, "Is he dead yet? Dibs on putting that up!"
More anger at Limbaugh is on display at The Boston Phoenix which gathered Tweets under the headline "Dear Rush Limbaugh: Please Drop Dead. Love, Twitter."
However, Politico's Patrick Gavin reports, "many of his political counterparts on the left put down their ideological swords and wished him well on Twitter."
"All best wishes to Mr. Limbaugh tonight, for a full and speedy recovery," MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Tweeted, and Mediaite's Rachel Sklar wrote, "No stooping to wishing him ill, people! (Karma.)" .
Gavin notes that "from less prominent corners of the Twitter-verse, there was a steady drip of joy expressed at Limbaugh's misfortunes."
The Drudge Report, in linking to Gavin's report, characterized it as "Lefties wish Limbaugh ill..."
One conservative suggests the nasty Tweets should be cataloged.
"Someone should build a Twitter list of all those who have expressed hatred for Limbaugh tonight so their presence can be known," wrote Republican strategist Patrick Ruffini.
