Amid the whirlwind of current U.S. political events, the 40th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s massive re-election in 1984 might easily slip from our minds.
However, Donald Trump and his backers appear determined to keep Reagan’s legacy front and center, looking to build upon his ideals. The Project 2025 document—an extensive 920-page outline for a potential second term for Trump created by the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation—makes reference to Reagan a notable 71 times. These mentions highlight individuals who served in Reagan’s administration and contributed to the report, as well as showcasing the think tank’s successful influence during Reagan’s presidency.
The Heritage Foundation boasts that 60% of its policy recommendations were adopted by Reagan in the 1980s, and it aims to achieve similar success under a Trump administration with what it describes as a “bold and courageous plan.”
Known for his hands-off management approach, Reagan allowed others to shape policy. Trump may also prefer to let others fill in the gaps in his declaration to “Make America Great Again.”
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During the 2024 campaign, parallels have been drawn between “the Gipper” (as Reagan was affectionately known) and Trump, specifically in terms of their leadership styles and the overlap of politics and celebrity status.
Reagan’s Landslide Victory
What aspects of Reaganism are Trump supporters eager to resurrect? The 1984 election marked a pivotal moment for the Republican party, with Reagan becoming just the sixth Republican president to secure consecutive electoral wins. Trump has adopted Reagan’s 1980 slogan of wanting to “Make America Great Again.”
Bill Waterson / Alamy
From 1984 to 2016, the Republican party largely identified with Reagan, whose supporters argued that he had revived the U.S. economy, restored international respect, won the Cold War, and prioritized family values in American political life. His advocacy for small government and lower taxes left an enduring mark on his successors, including George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as Republican Congress members. In fact, the Democrats had to transform into “New Democrats” to regain political power in the wake of Reaganism.
Cultural Conflicts Resurface
There are clear parallels between Reagan and Trump, such as their appeal to blue-collar voters, tax reduction strategies, strong national defense, and what is now recognized as “culture war” rhetoric. Project 2025 revisits these themes: “In 1979, the challenges we faced included the Soviet Union, the liberal socialism of the 1970s, and the cultural elite’s predatory behaviors. Reagan conquered these threats by focusing on their core issues rather than their superficial manifestations.”
Both Reagan and Trump had established careers in show business before entering politics. Reagan was notably the first president with roots in entertainment, particularly his Hollywood experience, earning him the title of “The Great Communicator.”
Yet, significant differences exist between the two leaders in terms of style and policy. Reagan came across as pragmatic and maintained civility when dealing with both Democratic and Republican adversaries. His experience as chair of the Screen Actors Guild provided him with negotiation skills, which he wielded against unions during his presidency. He was a determined negotiator, as seen in how he handled the air traffic controllers’ strike. In contrast to Trump, Reagan typically infused his campaigns with optimism, likely influenced by his Midwestern upbringing and Hollywood years.
Trump’s rise, fueled by reality television fame and his business ventures, allowed him to circumvent conventional political routes to the White House. He knows how to leverage media to engage audiences effectively. However, his approach often tends to be more combative and divisive compared to Reagan.
Reaganism vs. Trumpism
Two key public policy areas showcase the differences between Reagan and Trump. Reagan signed the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, which provided amnesty to approximately three million undocumented immigrants, allowing them to legally remain in what he branded the “shining city on a hill.”
In stark contrast, from the outset of his campaign, Trump has redefined the Republican party to advocate for the deportation of millions of immigrants. On cultural issues, Reagan publicly supported prayer in schools and opposed abortion, yet he never pursued any significant legislative changes regarding either issue.
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Trump enjoys backing from the religious right and readily claims credit for his judicial appointments, which culminated in the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, consequently limiting access to abortion for many women across the country.
Transforming Government
Trump’s previous presidency and his ongoing conservative rhetoric inspired the launch of Project 2025 by the Heritage Foundation. This plan advocates for a significant overhaul of the federal government and U.S. public policy based on conservative values, including a push for expanded presidential power and radical reforms of federal agencies such as the civil service and even the FBI.
Trump and his allies aim to replicate the dramatic shifts in domestic policy that characterized Reagan’s initial term. In his first year, Reagan enacted $39 billion (equivalent to about £30 billion) in budget cuts, slashing social welfare funding and instituting a substantial 25% tax reduction. His administration strongly championed free-market principles and sought to lessen federal regulation.
After restrictions and advice curbed Trump’s initiatives during his first term, a potential second term might see a more emboldened Trump administration, ready to embrace a bolder agenda.
Reagan reshaped the Republican party so profoundly that his vice president, George H.W. Bush, essentially won the presidency promising a third term of Reaganism. The future of Trumpism could hinge on whether the Grand Old Party, as the Republicans are often called, has truly transformed into the Trump party.