In a stunning turnaround for the Republican Party, the legacy of Ronald Reagan, once synonymous with American democracy and staunch opposition to authoritarian regimes, has taken a backseat to the Trump’s era bizarre dance with Vladimir Putin.
Ronald Reagan, the face of the GOP for decades
Reagan stood for everything American — freedom, democracy, and a fierce stance against the Soviet “evil empire.” Fast forward to today, and Donald Trump, with his love affair for Putin and cozy relationship with Russia, has turned those principles on their head.
Trump’s presidency wasn’t just about shaking things up; it was a full-blown embrace of Putin’s Russia, despite decades of American distrust. He threw shade on American values, cozying up to Putin and even dissing NATO, a longtime ally against Russian aggression since World War II.
The party faithful, once all about family values and God, found themselves at odds with a changing America — more secular, more LGBTQ+-friendly. Yet, strangely, they rallied behind Trump, whose personal life couldn’t be further from their values, simply because he played tough guy against their enemies.
The fallout?
Trust in democracy took a hit. Remember January 6th? That Capitol debacle wasn’t just a riot; it was a statement that some in the GOP weren’t too keen on playing by the democratic rulebook anymore.
And let’s not forget the Russian playbook. Putin’s propaganda machine found a willing audience among Republicans, spreading distrust in American institutions and sowing division like a pro gardener planting chaos.
But hey, not everyone’s on the Trump-Putin bandwagon. There are still a few Reagan Republicans out there, like Michael McCaul, holding onto the belief that America stands for something more than just kissing up to strongmen.
But as the GOP gears up for another round, CPAC’s jetting off to Hungary, of all places, to praise Viktor Orbán, a guy who’s been giving democracy a run for its money. Trump’s even calling him “a great man.” Go figure.
In the end, Biden’s talk about democracy triumphing over bullies? Some in the GOP took that as a jab at Trump. They’re even crying plagiarism when Biden echoes Reagan’s old speeches.
Times have changed
the GOP’s ride from Reagan to Trump has been nothing short of wild. Whether it’s a phase or the new normal, one thing’s for sure: Reagan’s shining city on a hill has gotten a bit dimmer, replaced by a strange alliance with the Kremlin’s finest.
Welcome to the new GOP — where Reagan’s out, and Trump’s Putin pals are in.
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