“Reagan,” the movie, makes one thing abundantly clear: There are no similarities between Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.
Any comparisons, in fact, are an insult to Reagan.
More broadly, reactions to the biographical film have, as expected, broken along philosophical lines.
Critics who lean left have dismissed the film as mere “hero-worshipping,” while those on the right are enjoying it.
I saw it the other day and, admittedly, I am no film critic. I am not attuned to judging the skills of individual actors or overall cinematology.
That said, the movie was not awful, although it presented an extraordinarily sympathetic look at the former president.
The AIDS epidemic of the 1980s was hardly mentioned and the 1983 truck bombing at the Beirut Airport that killed 220 U.S. Marines was not mentioned at all.
It was also corny in spots, but then again, Reagan was often corny.
“I just want to do something good in the world – make a difference,” a young Reagan tells the woman who would become his second wife and eventually, the First Lady.
So, what else did he write in his high school yearbook?
A more interesting take is to view the film through the lens of a 2024 America that is two months from a presidential election.
Which brings us back to the original assertion – today’s Republican Party is the party of Donald Trump and bears very little relationship to the principles articulated by Ronald Reagan – his revered status among many conservatives today notwithstanding.
Dennis Quaid, who played Reagan in the film, was actually asked about comparisons between the two by a rather skeptical Chris Wallace.
He said both were men of their times, but that, “I do feel that the principles of Ronald Reagan and the principles of Donald J. Trump are very similar.”
Wallace didn’t buy that and neither should anyone else.
People old enough to remember Reagan already know that; others can use the film – despite its laudatory style – to grasp that point.
Reagan was eternally optimistic about the United States, his life and just about everything else. That’s where his corniness came in.
The most famous Reagan ad was “It’s Morning Again in America,” which ran in 1984. The 60-second spot ticked off the president’s first term accomplishments and showed images of people doing what people do in the morning – getting in a car to ride to work, driving a farm tractor, opening a store and a kid on a bike delivering newspapers. (It was 1984, as we said).
Trump has talked about “American carnage” and a dystopian world that only he can fix. That’s quite the contrast.
As the movie does note, Reagan liked most everyone. He most famously got along splendidly with Tip O’Neill, the Democratic Speaker of the House.
Contrary to the political polarization of today, a scene in the film is of Reagan and O’Neill talking about their many philosophical differences.
They will fight, the new president said, but not after 6 p.m.
What happens at 6 p.m., the Speaker wondered.
Then, “We’re just two Irishmen having beers,” Reagan said.
Trump’s style, as we have seen, is to demean everyone who is not with him 100 percent of the time, generally with high school-level names.
Now, those differences are not nearly as important as the main one.
Reagan’s career was built on opposing Communism and authoritative governments in general. This began long before he entered politics – back in Hollywood during his days with the Screen Actors Guild.
And his success nationally was built on that principle.
Trump’s pattern is to write love notes to dictators and to praise some of them as geniuses.
The signature moment of Reagan’s presidency is obvious. It is the speech in which he said:
“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”
Is there anyone who truly thinks Trump would challenge Vladimir Putin in that way?
Not anyone who is completely honest about Trump.
As stated, Reagan is revered today by many Republicans, even by those too young to remember his presidency or to have voted for him.
That’s understandable.
But all should remember that today’s Trump-centered Republican Party has nothing to do with the man who challenged a Russian dictator and drank with a liberal Democrat from Massachusetts.
The MAGA crowd and its leader would have repulsed Ronald Reagan.
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The release of the new Reagan movie has sparked a lot of interest and discussion among the MAGA crowd in New Jersey. The film, which stars Dennis Quaid as the former president, has been highly anticipated by many supporters of Donald Trump and the conservative movement.
The movie, titled “Reagan,” follows the life and career of the 40th president of the United States, from his early days as a Hollywood actor to his time in the White House. It explores Reagan’s conservative beliefs, his leadership during the Cold War, and his impact on American politics.
For many in the MAGA crowd, Reagan is seen as a hero and a symbol of conservative values. His presidency is often viewed as a golden age of American politics, when the country was strong and prosperous. The release of this new movie is seen as a way to celebrate Reagan’s legacy and remind people of the principles he stood for.
However, not everyone in New Jersey is excited about the new Reagan movie. Some critics argue that it glorifies a president who they believe was responsible for harmful policies, such as cutting social programs and deregulating industries. They see Reagan as a divisive figure who exacerbated inequality and racial tensions in America.
Despite the controversy surrounding Reagan’s legacy, the movie is expected to draw large crowds in New Jersey theaters. Many supporters of the former president are eager to see his story brought to life on the big screen, while others are curious to learn more about the man who continues to influence American politics to this day.
Overall, the new Reagan movie is sure to spark debate and discussion among the MAGA crowd in New Jersey. Whether you see Reagan as a hero or a villain, there is no denying his impact on American history and his lasting legacy in conservative politics.
