The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee dismissed
Rush Limbaugh's protestations that it had distorted his remarks about sexual assault in an email blast to supporters.
An attorney for the conservative talk show personality had written to the DCCC complaining it had "deliberately and deceptively" mischaracterized what he said and threatened to sue.
"Our attorney sent a response letter noting that Limbaugh's claims are absurd," said committee spokeswoman Emily Bittner,
Politico reported.
Brian Glicklich, a Limbaugh spokesman responded, "The letter is non-responsive and nonsensical. What is incontrovertible is the fact that the DCCC changed Rush Limbaugh's words to convey the opposite of what he said. This is not a matter of opinion; it is obvious. We will confer with our counsel," Politico reported.
Limbaugh lawyer
Patricia Glaser had requested an "immediate retraction and public apology" saying the email blast placed Limbaugh's comments "completely out of context in order to attribute a false meaning" to his stance on sexual assault.
Glaser added that a "retraction and apology will mitigate against a subsequent lawsuit," according to Politico.
The controversy began on Sept. 15 when
Limbaugh complained on his nationally syndicated radio show about
Ohio State University guidelines regarding consensual sexual activity. The principles say that "Consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time" and "the absence of 'no' does not mean 'yes.'"
Limbaugh read from the policy then commented: "Seduction used to be an art. Now, of course, it's 'brutish' and it's 'predatory' and it's bad."
He went on to ask his audience: "How many of you guys, in your own experience with women, have learned that 'no' means 'yes' if you know how to spot it? Let me tell you something. In this modern world, that is simply not tolerated. People aren't even gonna try to understand that one. I mean, it used to be said it was a cliché. It used to be part of the advice young boys were given."
He continued, "See, that's what we gotta change. We have got to reprogram the way we raise men. Why do you think permission every step of the way, clearly spelling out why … [Are] these [policies] not lawsuits just waiting to happen if even one of these steps is not taken?"
Limbaugh added, "I don't know how men can be held to that Ohio State agreement, policy, anyway, because everybody knows in sex men don't think with their brains. Not the one in their heads, anyway. It's just so silly,"
The Washington Post reported.
A day after these comments were aired, the Democrats used the "'no' means 'yes'" remark in their email blast: "There's simply no excusing comments of this offensive nature, especially at a time where our country is having a long-overdue conversation about violence against women.
"Plain and simple – Rush Limbaugh is advocating for the tolerance of sexual assault and should be taken off the air immediately," wrote DCCC Chairman Rep. Steve Israel,
Bloomberg reported.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.