Rush Limbaugh’s Home County of Palm Beach Refuses DeSantis Order to Lower Flags
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Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay announced that she will refuse Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) order to lower flags in Rush Limbaugh’s home county.
As conservatives mourn the radio host’s passing from lung cancer last week at the age of 70, DeSantis has ordered flags in the state be flown at half-staff in Limbaugh’s honor. Even though the radio host was a longtime resident of Palm Beach, McKinlay announced on Twitter that she won’t lower the flags for Limbaugh because of his controversial legacy as a divisive public figure.
“The lowering of flags should be a unifying gesture during solemn occasions, such as in remembrance of the young lives lost during the Parkland High School massacre or first-responder line of duty deaths,” said McKinlay. “Although Rush Limbaugh was a significant public figure, he was also an incredibly divisive one who hurt many people with his words and actions. I cannot and will not support the lowering of flags in his memory.”
Palm Beach County will not lower its courthouse flag tomorrow. https://t.co/8e2sTdzjsQ pic.twitter.com/XmMwfbZVZl
— Melissa McKinlay (@VoteMcKinlay) February 24, 2021
The Tampa Bay Times reports that when DeSantis sent out his directive on Tuesday, he called for flags to be lowered for Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach, the City Hall of Palm Beach, and the State Capitol. While the governor has praised Limbaugh as “America’s anchorman,” McKinlay is defending her refusal of the order by pointing to the radio host’s incendiary remarks throughout his life, including the time he took shots at actor Michael J. Fox for having Parkinson’s disease.
This is hate. My grandfather had Parkinsons. Limbaugh joked about it. Just one hateful comment example. Flags are lowered to honor war heroes, first responders, innocent victims, heads of state. Not radio talk show hosts. I’m standing up for what is right. https://t.co/d2zcPBoTET
— Melissa McKinlay (@VoteMcKinlay) February 24, 2021
McKinlay’s decision comes after Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced that she would also refuse DeSantis’ order, stating, “lowering our flag should reflect unity, not division — and raising our standards, not lowering them.”
