State of the Union: Rush Limbaugh given Medal of Freedom by Melania Trump during address

Controversial right-wing radio host honoured a day after revealing cancer diagnosis

Donald Trump has awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the controversial right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh during his State of the Union address, asking the first lady to put it round his neck while Republican politicians cheered.

The conservative commentator, who announced this week that he had stage four lung cancer, appeared overwhelmed by the honour, putting his hands together as if in prayer.

The president said: "Almost every American family knows the pain when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness. Here tonight is a special man, someone beloved by millions of Americans who just received a Stage 4 advanced cancer diagnosis.

"This is not good news, but what is good news is that he is the greatest fighter and winner that you will ever meet. Rush Limbaugh: Thank you for your decades of tireless devotion to our country.

"Rush, in recognition of all that you have done for our nation, the millions of people a day that you speak to and inspire, and all of the incredible work that you have done for charity, I am proud to announce tonight that you will be receiving our country's highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I will now ask the First Lady of the United States to please stand and present you with the honour. Rush, Kathryn, congratulations!"

Melania Trump then put the medal around his neck as Republican politicians cheered.

The outspoken Mr Limbaugh has long been a hero to the right and the scourge of the left.

While many on social media wished him well following the announcement of his diagnosis, despite political differences, others pointed out his own previous lack of sympathy with the illnesses of people he disagreed with.

In 2006 he mocked the actor Michael J Fox, one of the world's best known spokespeople on Parkinson's disease and an advocate for stem cell research, for the shaking caused by the condition. Mimmicking the Back to the Future star's shaking during a political ad, Mr Limbaugh tells listeners: "He's either off his medication or acting. He is an actor after all."

The clip started trending on Monday after Mr Limbaugh's announcement.

Mr Trump is known to enjoy bestowing the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the United States, particularly favouring sportsmen like Tiger Woods, Bob Cousy, Jerry West and Mariano Rivera.