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In a forthcoming memoir, actor and comedian Mary Lynn Rajskub has revealed the fallout that occurred after she was forcibly kissed on the mouth by late far-right Republican commentator Rush Limbaugh during a 2006 panel discussion.
Rajskub starred as Chloe O'Brien from 2003 to 2010 on the hit terrorism-themed show 24, which was the subject of the panel discussion moderated by Limbaugh.
In an excerpt of the forthcoming book, titled FAME-ISH: My Life At The Edge Of Stardom, Rajskub recalled being ambushed by Limbaugh with a heavily photographed kiss at the event.
The late radio blowhard moved in on the unsuspecting actor at a Washington panel discussion, she said.https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mary-lynn-rajskub-rush-limbaugh-kiss_n_628616bbe4b02667554eb51e\u00a0\u2026— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1652976545
The event at which Rajskub appeared, "'24' and America's Image in Fighting Terrorism: Fact, Fiction, or Does It Matter?" was produced by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation.
A right-wing darling for most of its run, the series depicted extremely hawkish approaches to fighting terrorism in the wake of 9/11.
In the excerpt, Rajskub described the experience of participating in the event and the impact it had on her career. To say she didn't remember it fondly would be an understatement. Of Limbaugh, Rajskub wrote:
“His way of saying 'hello' was to bend down behind me. I turned to look up and that’s when it happened."
"When I turned he was coming down to give me a kiss… on the lips?!"
Rajskub went on to detail how the kiss immediately became a deeply uncomfortable photo opportunity.
"As it happened, tons of camera flashes went out. He had to have known what he was doing..."
She also discussed how the photos created political labels that strained relations with her more liberal-minded friends.
“In one shrewd move of his, an image went out into the world that showed I was a supporter of the right-wing cause. I was not."
"It also showed I found Rush Limbaugh attractive. I did not..."
"To become a right-wing darling was too much. Thank god it didn’t last more than one news cycle.”
On Twitter, Rajskub's story reignited many people's disgust for Limbaugh.
The notorious right wing radio host SEXUALLY ASSULTED an unsuspecting Rajskub at a Washington, D.C., panel. \n\nLimbaugh once wrote that feminism was established \u201cto allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.\u201dhttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/mary-lynn-rajskub-rush-limbaugh-kiss_n_628616bbe4b02667554eb51e\u00a0\u2026— Shittzy the SpamBot (@Shittzy the SpamBot) 1652980008
I like Mary Lynn and had zero idea this happened. I feel bad for her and hope that Rush continues to burn in hellhttps://twitter.com/huffpost/status/1527320446219079680\u00a0\u2026— Larry Brown (@Larry Brown) 1652978531
#LushRimjob had a long history of misogyny. This is yet another of his slurpy, slimy, publicity-seeking, grotesque, bullying encounters. What a horrible human. May he rot in hell.https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mary-lynn-rajskub-rush-limbaugh-kiss_n_628616bbe4b02667554eb51e\u00a0\u2026— Charles R. Samuelson (@Charles R. Samuelson) 1652976941
What an utter pig of a man was Rush Limbaugh. \n\n'24' Star Mary Lynn Rajskub Says Being Forcibly Kissed By Rush Limbaugh Had Creepy Consequenceshttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/mary-lynn-rajskub-rush-limbaugh-kiss_n_628616bbe4b02667554eb51e\u00a0\u2026— Gemini Garner-Jones \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Gemini Garner-Jones \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1652987506
GROSS! GROSS! She should have had her lips surgically removed after that.https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mary-lynn-rajskub-rush-limbaugh-kiss_n_628616bbe4b02667554eb51e\u00a0\u2026— Horn Sannity (@Horn Sannity) 1652976555
I would have STOOD UP and PUNCHED HIS TEETH OUT then sat down and finished the event. #BITCHCRAFT #DisgustingPRICK\n\n'24' Star Mary Lynn Rajskub Says Being Forcibly Kissed By Rush Limbaugh Had Creepy Consequenceshttps://www.huffpost.com/entry/mary-lynn-rajskub-rush-limbaugh-kiss_n_628616bbe4b02667554eb51e\u00a0\u2026— SL\u2661T 4 DEMOCRACY Mickey (@SL\u2661T 4 DEMOCRACY Mickey) 1652968777
SO gross! \u2014>\u201924' Star Mary Lynn Rajskub Says Being Forcibly Kissed By Rush Limbaugh Had Creepy Consequenceshttps://news.yahoo.com/24-star-mary-lynn-rajskub-123108981.html\u00a0\u2026— Mommy Powers\ud83d\udc9cMixed Blessings (@Mommy Powers\ud83d\udc9cMixed Blessings) 1652977512
What a creep so grateful he cant do that again. He was worthless. '24' Star Mary Lynn Rajskub Says Being Forcibly Kissed By Rush Limbaugh Had Creepy Consequenceshttps://share.newsbreak.com/141l2els— Mama G (@Mama G) 1652986238
I hope she got a tetanus and penicillin shot as a precautionhttps://twitter.com/realtuckfrumper/status/1527363348915859459\u00a0\u2026— elizabeth gore (@elizabeth gore) 1652987945
Limbaugh was infamous for his misogyny, exemplified in myriad quotes—like one in which he claimed feminism's purpose was “to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.” He died of cancer last year.