Conciliatory aggression and the rhetoric of public apologies: A rhetorical analysis | Intellect Skip to content
1981
Volume 10, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 1757-1952
  • E-ISSN: 1757-1960

Abstract

Abstract

This article provides a rhetorical analysis of a public apology that was issued by conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh in response to criticism of on-air comments that he made in February 2012. I argue that Limbaugh deployed his apology as a plea for moral exoneration, not as a formal admission of misconduct. Hence his apology was meant to absolve Limbaugh from blame by offsetting acknowledgements of wrongdoing (along with expressions of remorse) with an appeal to truth as a force for exculpation.

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2019-11-01
2024-04-25
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