While in Afghanistan to highlight America's ongoing relief efforts in that country, nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh delivered a partisan attack against a “political party,” an apparent reference to Democrats, in a discussion with American troops. Recounting his remarks during a phone interview with guest host Roger Hedgecock on the February 22 edition of The Rush Limbaugh Show, Limbaugh noted that he told the troops he wouldn't “go politically correct on them” by hiding liberals' “opposition” to the troops and their mission:

LIMBAUGH: And, by the way, folks, if you're wondering, I didn't go politically correct on them. I told them exactly who's saying what about them in an opposition fashion. I told them what I think is the sort of phony-baloney, plastic-banana, good-time rock 'n' roller of some members of the American left saying they support the troops but they don't support their mission --

And I haven't run into anybody who has snickered. They're eager for the truth here.

Later in the program, Limbaugh explained that when a soldier asked him whether the U.S. should permit Afghanistan to adopt its own system of government, Limbaugh replied to a group of troops:

LIMBAUGH: And I said, "There are a lot of people in America who don't trust free people to do the right thing. I won't mention a political party -- you all know it -- and I won't mention the ideology -- you all know it.

But I have no desire to tell the Afghans they have to do it this way, they have to do it that way. Give them their freedom and let them figure it out. I trust it."

Right-wing news website NewsMax.com covered Limbaugh's remarks to the troops in Afghanistan on February 23, reporting that Limbaugh “skewer[ed] left wing war critics for undermining their [the troops'] mission.”

It isn't clear who is paying for Limbaugh's trip to Afghanistan or if he is being paid for his time, as Media Matters for America has noted.