A Rush Limbaugh death hoax confused thousands on Twitter this morning, though nothing actually appears to have happened to the United States' most popular morning talk radio host. Find out what happened and how social media users responded to #RIPRushLimbaugh on Thursday. (Photo: Reuters)

Calm down, morning talk radio fans ... Rush Limbaugh isn't dead.

Millions were shocked when they logged onto Twitter Thursday morning, to find #RIPRushLimbaugh sitting atop the U.S.trending topics list, sending countless social media users into a frenzy as they searched for any firm confirmation/denial of the rumors. Fortunately, while first sight of the initial trend was likely shocking for many Rush Limbaugh fans, it shouldn't have taken them long to confirm that the man affectionately known as "El Rushbo" is still alive and kicking.

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Even as rumors of Rush Limbaugh's death were weaving their way through social media streams around the globe, Limbaugh himself was in the middle of his latest "Rush Limbaugh Show" broadcast, which we imagine would have been pretty difficult task for someone to accomplish post-mortem, particularly someone rumored to have died in the absolutely horrifying/disgusting manner (NSFW) as what was suggested to get the #RIPRushLimbaugh train rolling.

Limbaugh is currently the most popular talk-radio show host in the country, a title he's held for quite some time now, and earns an average of $50 million a year for his daily broadcasts from Excellence in Broadcasting studios. "The Rush Limbaugh Show" has been reported to draw 15-30 million listeners a day, which also means a fair share of those who saw the #RIPRushLimbaugh hashtag on Thursday likely already knew that it was a hoax. Not everyone was amused though.

Of course, while the #RIPRushLimbaugh trend may have been a hoax, it didn't take long for many of the widely loved/hated talk radio host's fans to come to his defense.

#RIPRushLimbaugh Rush Limbaugh is alive, Air America is dead and you're still bitter

— Eric Larson (@larsoneric50) January 24, 2013

#RIPRushLimbaugh Truly amazed at the hate from folks today. Very sad for the world. Wishing anyone to die is evil regardless of actual intent.

— Gary Thomas (@gthomasrva) January 24, 2013

#RIPRushLimbaugh The battle cry of stupid liberals who can't compete intellectually. Air America anyone? Losers!

— Christian Turner (@rgxttplayer) January 24, 2013

#RIPRushLimbaugh Libtards making this hashtag up is more proof that they are the dumbest, most vile, intolerant pieces of shit on the planet

— 2ndAmendment (@linseyajones) January 24, 2013

Truth hurts & the only way uninformed can kill it is with a hashtag #RIPRushLimbaugh

— Stephanie Prichard (@Steph_n_CJ) January 24, 2013

The things people are saying in the #RIPRushLimbaugh trend are pathetic. Thought all you libs were tolerant of everyone?! #whatajoke

— Madi (@madilenn) January 24, 2013

It seems not everyone would have been upset if the Rush Limbaugh death hoax had been real though.

#RIPRushLimbaugh once again Mothra has rid us of a great menace

— Hatercles (@Goodtweets69) January 24, 2013

#RIPRushLimbaugh I thought it was true, i guess we'll still have to deal with this poor excuse of a human being

— Ibby (@MrIbby) January 24, 2013

#RIPRushLimbaugh Died bloodily when Anne Coulter burst from his chest.

— Rick Cole (@VideoTelegram) January 24, 2013

Guess who went hunting with Dick Cheney today.. #RIPRushLimbaugh 

— Big Dawg (@BigDogTheory) January 24, 2013

#RIPRushLimbaugh He died attempting to eat himself out of his weekly Cinnabon avalanche. His bib could not be reached for comment.

— T. Webb (@TeflonScribe) January 24, 2013

Do you think the Rush Limbaugh death hoax was crossing a line?

Let us know in the comments section!