Discussing the recent death of Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), Michael Savage stated during the February 11 edition of his nationally syndicated radio show, “You're not supposed to talk badly about the dead. I generally wouldn't do it. But in the case of Tom Lantos, I'll make an exception. I think he was one of the most -- he was a scoundrel. And I'll tell you why I detested Tom Lantos. The man survived the Holocaust of World War II and used it as a weapon the rest of his life.”

Lantos had served California's 12th District since 1981 and was the only member of Congress to have survived the Holocaust. He escaped from a forced labor camp in his native country of Hungary as a teenager with the help of Swedish humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg. Savage later claimed, “You can't have it both ways. You can't suffer such a horror, and then use it as a weapon without people noticing it.” He added: “I didn't like Tom Lantos.”

According to Talk Radio Network, which syndicates Savage's show, Savage is heard on more than 350 radio stations. Talkers Magazine has indicated that The Savage Nation reaches more than 8 million listeners each week, making it the third most listened-to talk radio show in the nation, behind only The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Sean Hannity Show.

From the February 11 edition of Talk Radio Network's The Savage Nation:

SAVAGE: Well, go down there. You'll see two pictures from North Beach and Chinatown. One is a series of cafe tables that I think is a beautiful, beautiful composition, and below it is -- are the musicians in the Chinese funeral. I'll put the rest of the panel up day by day, and you'll get a flavor of the city I love so much, despite the corrupt official in the city. I love this city. Thank you for the call.

Who died? What's his name? Lantos? You know, that's a tough one for me to deal with. You're not supposed to talk badly about the dead. I generally wouldn't do it. But in the case of Tom Lantos, I'll make an exception. I think he was one of the most -- he was a scoundrel. And I'll tell you why I detested Tom Lantos. The man survived the Holocaust of World War II and used it as a weapon the rest of his life. That's why. Do you understand what I just said to you? You can't have it both ways. You can't suffer such a horror, and then use it as a weapon without people noticing it. You know what I'm saying to you? I didn't like Tom Lantos. And by the way, Tom Lantos was responsible for a gigantic policy disaster in Iraq. Him and [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi [D-CA] came out and attacked Turkey, if you remember, six months ago and caused a tremendous upheaval in our military mission in Iraq against the enemy. You won't read that in the press, because as you know, the liberals in the media are all soft and they like to write these puff-piece stories. You understand that? It's way beyond the -- well, forget about it.

The one thing I fear if either of these cretins become president is higher taxes because I don't want to give the bums any more than I'm already giving them. They're bleeding me dry. I don't want to give the bums in the street another turkey sandwich. I don't want to give junkies another needle. I am sick and tired of the taxes I pay, and I don't want to pay another dime.

Trevor Zimmer is an intern at Media Matters for America.