Is Trumpism similar to Reaganism? Angry Internet slams 'traitor' Trump for using Reagan's legacy to raise money
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute has requested President Trump’s reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee (RNC) to refrain from using former President Reagan’s name and image to fundraise last week. This comes after the Trump campaign had sent a fundraising email on July 19 which stated that for a "donation of $45 and over, a supporter of the president would receive a 'limited edition' set featuring two gold-colored coins with images of Trump and Reagan." Donald J Trump was listed as the sender of the message and the subject read 'Ronald Reagan And Yours Truly'. Also enclosed in the email was a 1987 image of Reagan and Trump shaking hands at the White House.
The text of the email read, “I just saw our new Trump-Reagan Commemorative Coin Sets and WOW, these coins are beautiful — I took one look and immediately knew that I wanted YOU to have a set. These aren’t any ordinary coins. They symbolize an important time in our Nation. This year, in addition to being re-elected as YOUR President, it also marks the 40th anniversary of our Nation’s 40th President, Ronald Reagan.”
The proceeds from the coin sales went to the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, which provides support to the RNC and the Trump campaign. The Reagan Foundation's request has led to a debate on Twitter, with people questioning the difference between 'Reaganism' and 'Trumpism'. Some fiercely maintain that Reagan wasn't "as bad" as Trump, while others say that the current state of America is a "trickle-down" effect that began with Reagan. They argue that Trump is actually Reagan's "legacy", as one person tweeted.
And, of course, there were those who defended Reagan. "Reagan worked with Gorbachev to end Cold War and motivate Russia to accept democratic ideals. Trump beds with Putin to praise his cold autocratic grip while destroying American ideals," one noted.
"How true. Reagan and Trump are completely opposite. The first a patriot opposed to Russian facism. The other side of the coin, a traitor that wants to be a Russian facist. Empathetic hero vs all rotten," another tweeted. "He has destroyed every ideal that was formerly associated with being Republican. I do wish he would have built on a legacy such as that established by Reagan - a man who helped end the Cold War. #Trump is dangerous, and I hope the vpeople will #VoteHimOut on Nov 3rd," one tweeted.
"Republicans and Trump are fooling their followers with a complete false idea that Trump is similar to Reagan! Wow, that is the most ridiculous parallel they are trying to make. Trump is simply a mentally sick criminal, Reagan was not!" One wrote.
Some have pointed out the sheer irony of it all. "Trump is too creepy for Ronald Reagan. Let that sink in," one wrote. "Reagan and trump are the two worst presidents this country has ever seen and i said what i said," another tweeted.
Others argued that despite his "flaws", Reagan was devoted to the USA. "While I may have disagreed with Ronald Reagan politically many times, sometimes vehemently, I never had any doubt that he loved America and tried to do his best for his fellow Americans. Trump couldn't care less about America, or anything but himself. #TrumpIsACompleteFailure," one wrote.
"Exactly. This orange Frankenstein was getting started with Reagan and his trickle down economics. Reagan left a deficit, Clinton fixed, Bush Jr left a deficit, Obama fixed it, Trump leaving a deficit, Joe will fix it. I'm sending a pattern here," another argued. "Reagan was a con just like Trump," one wrote.