Savage's radio program, The Savage Nation, often returns to the subject of closing U.S. borders as a way of solidifying American identity. He advocates stronger immigration controls and the reassertion of English as the official language of the United States.

He frequently accuses the national political parties of having identical philosophies and no real differences, and he uses the coined term Republicrat to refer to them.

His political opponents characterise him as a racist, homophobic bigot.

He was hired by MSNBC to do a one-hour show starting in March 2003. However, on July 7, he was fired for making several anti-gay remarks, including telling a gay (or, in Savage's argot, "Sodomite") caller that he "should only get AIDS and die". Gay rights group GLAAD applauded the decision to fire him. Savage responded that he did not realize he was on the air when he made the comments and that he did not intend any offense to homosexuals but was merely angry at the caller, who has been, according to Savage, making "vicious personal attacks" on him. He apologized for any "pain" his comments may have brought anyone.

In 1994, Savage coined the phrase Compassionate conservative. That term became a pillar of George W. Bush's election campaign in 2000.

Media reports about the caller seem to indicate he made a hobby of making crank calls to radio talk shows in order to plug a favorite program.

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