Rush Limbaugh whines he was taken out of context on Hurricane Irma -- and then doubles down

Rush Limbaugh lashed out after Hurricane Irma was a hoax intended to promote climate change, drive up TV news ratings and sell groceries.

The conservative broadcaster downplayed warnings Tuesday by scientists and government officials about the Category 5 hurricane as it barreled toward the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida -- but he complained the following day about the backlash he faced, reported Media Matters.

"All I did yesterday -- this is the thing, folks, it is so frustrating -- and it's actually getting more and more frustrating," Limbaugh griped. "You can't, when these people who are so emotionally invested -- emotionally, not intellectually -- so emotionally invested in an event and in an outcome, when they are, you can't get to them with the truth. In fact, the truth is the greatest enemy they face and they treat it that way."

Limbaugh singled out one particular reporter, who was body-slammed by Republican candidate Greg Gianforte the night before he won a Montana election to the U.S. House.

"You know that reporter that got clocked by the Republican out in [Montana], Ben Jacobs, is it?" Limbaugh said. "Well, apparently, this guy heard -- well, I don't think he heard. I don't think any of these people actually listen. They probably got an out-of-context, erroneous report of things I didn't say (Tuesday), and he tweeted that I am a hurricane denier."

"By the way, does that not prove that these people are using this storm to advance the climate change agenda, which was one of my focal points (Tuesday)?" Limbaugh added. "And that, apparently, caused an eruption of various sectors of social media."