Ronald Reagan: The Hollywood President (Part 1)

The Rest Is Politics: US

Goalhanger

News, Government, Politics

4.4 • 2.9K Ratings

🗓️ 4 September 2025

⏱️ 16 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ronald Reagan is one of the most mythologized figures in American politics, but how did an actor and former Democrat become the standard-bearer of conservatism? In this new series exclusively for Founding Members explore Reagan’s rise, legacy, and myth. Who was the real Ronald Reagan, and what does his story reveal about the Republican Party today under Donald Trump? Become a Founding Member: Go deeper into US politics every week with ad-free listening, members-only miniseries, early access to live show tickets and a bonus members-only Q&A podcast every week. Sign up at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠therestispoliticsus.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ In Episode 1, we trace Reagan’s unlikely transformation from small-town Democrat to Hollywood liberal, and finally to conservative crusader. Raised in poverty in the Midwest, he found fame on the silver screen before becoming a union activist, only to be pulled rightward by Cold War paranoia, tax battles, and a new marriage. Instagram: ⁠⁠@RestPoliticsUS⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠@RestPoliticsUS⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠therestispoliticsus@goalhanger.com⁠⁠ Assistant Producer: India Dunkley Producer: Fiona Douglas Video Editor: Kieron Leslie, Adam Thornton Social Producer: Charlie Johnson Senior Producer: Dom Johnson Head of Content: Tom Whiter Head of Digital: Sam Oakley Exec Producers: Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Ronald Reagan knew how to go big and go bold. He truly was the great communicator.
0:06.8	Together, we're going to do what has to be done. He regrounded the GOP and conservative principles.
0:12.8	Free markets, small government, and an unshakable faith in American exceptionalism.
0:17.9	Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall.
0:23.3	Ronald Reagan shook the country.
0:25.7	People keep looking to government for the answer, and government's the problem.
0:28.7	President Reagan was shot in the chest by a gunman outside to Washington Hotel.
0:33.2	We did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages.
0:37.0	Uncomfortable as it is to admit, the 40th president inadvertently prepared the ground for the
0:41.0	45th.
0:42.0	It's not Reagan's party anymore.
0:44.0	Donald Trump destroyed Ronald Reagan.
0:47.7	I thought he was great, to style, his attitude, but not great on trade.
0:51.6	Will we be the party of conservatism?
0:54.1	Or will we follow the siren song of populism?
0:57.1	Only one man has the proven experience we need.
1:01.2	Together, we'll make America great again.
1:04.0	Thank you very much.
1:09.5	For decades, this was the voice of the conservative movement.
1:13.6	Ronald Reagan didn't just win two landslide elections.
1:16.7	He reshaped what it meant to be an American Republican.
1:20.7	For 40 years, his brand of conservatism dominated American politics.
	...

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