Comparative Analysis Of Ronald Reagan And Donald J. Trump As Two Republican Presidents

“A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation” Ronald Reagan. This quote by Ronald Reagan was tweeted by Donald J. Trump on July 3rd, 2015. This essay will be showing the similarities and the differences in two Republican Presidents. It will show not only the similarities and differences in their presidencies but their personal lives as well.

There will obviously be some differences between the two men; however, there will be enough similarities shown to make this fascinating. These two men are actually more alike than people would like to admit. Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump were both mocked and ridiculed by the media and by their own republican party. The polls had both men behind their opponents. Reagan in some polls was trailing Jimmy Carter as much as 8%. As we know, Trump was trailing Hillary Clinton by an average of 6 % in national polls. Neither Trump nor Reagan were Washington insiders. Both men also were dismissed as serious Presidential Candidates by everyone especially their party.

Trump had not held a political office until being voted in as President, while on the other hand Reagan was elected governor of California. Trump and Reagan were both actors before becoming president and both were doubted to win by many politicians. Both of the two men also were democrats before governing as republicans. Back then Reagan was not considered a Conservative but in today's time he is considered to be one as well as Trump. Reagan’s vice president didn’t support him in the primaries. Matter of fact, George H. W. Bush ran against Ronald Reagan in the primaries. Trump’s vice president didn’t support him in the primaries. Vice President Pence didn’t run against President Trump in the primaries but he did endorse Ted Cruz for President over Trump. Both of these vice presidents had good standing in the Christian faith.

Both Trump and Reagan cared for America first. They even had similar slogans Ronald Reagan’s slogan was “Let’s Make America Great Again”. President Trump’s slogan was “Make America Great Again”. They both have the same views on small government. A quote from Reagan “I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There’s a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts”. Trump is famous for giving his recipe of getting government out of business to allow businesses to grow. Trump has cut many regulations. They both like free trade, and they both like fair trade. In other words, they do not want America to loose when it comes to trade. For example, Ronald Reagan got tough on Japan, because they were dumping computer chips into our market. This was hurting our tech corporations in California. He did not appreciate Kawasaki and other foreign motorcycles flooding our market. Reagan was very supportive and verbal about his backing in Harley Davidson. Some experts say this saved Harley Davidson at that time. As we know President Trump has been very vocal about fair but free trade as well. Trump says, ” Our allies in many cases were worse than our enemies. We opened our country to their goods, but they put up massive barriers to keep our products and our goods the hell out of their country because they didn’t want that competition. ” As we know Trump wants renegotiation of NAFTA. He has also been very verbal on our trade losses with China.

Reagan and Trump both believe in victory and peace through strength. Reagan wanted a strong military. Trump wants a strong military. Reagan expanded the U. S. military budget by a staggering 43%. Reagan also proposed the SDI “Strategic Defense Initiative. ” This was a system that made the U. S. not vulnerable to a nuclear missile attack. One of Trump’s quotes is “Only when the good are strong, will peace prevail. “ Trump signed a military spending bill in December that said he would increase the size of the military budget for the first time in seven years. It also included the largest pay increase for the military in eight years. Trump has also discussed a “space force” that would have America leading the way for a defense in space. Another way of leading through strength to accomplish peace that has a similarity is the way Russia was used to bring Germany together. Reagan gave a famous speech in front of the Brandenurg Gate. “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Russia was a backer of the communist Germany. Reagan placed pressure on Russia to assist him in bringing peace to Germany. Trump has placed a lot of pressure on China to assist him in bringing North Korea to peace. This moves along with the strength that Trump has shown with sanctions to North Korea and strength through leadership has finally gotten North and South Korea talking. North Korea even competed in the winter Olympics that was held in South Korea. North Korea had not competed in the Olympics since 1964. This leads to another similarity.

Reagan and Trump both sought to have peace with Russia. Some would say that most people wouldn’t try to attack the biggest kid on the playground. This analogy could be used in saying that most countries wouldn’t attack the country that has the biggest and strongest military. Reagan and Trump both had lots of negative media coverage. In 1981 the Reagan administration’s coverage was over two to one negative. Trump’s media coverage is much worse. The negative coverage for Trump amounts to 90 percent negative in an article published in the Washington Times. Even with this amount of negative media no one pulls the crowds like Trump does.

Both of these leaders had a speaking ability that energizes crowds. Many think the fact of them both being actors helps their charisma on speaking. Reagan and Trump were both very nice looking in their younger days and are very comfortable with themselves. Part of their charm is a reason both men have been said to be good negotiators. Like Trump or not his book “The Art Of The Deal” is the number one selling business book of all times. More quick similarities are Trump doesn’t speak politically correct. This has gotten him much negative media attention. Reagan was known as a straight shooter. Trump and Reagan both favored tax reductions. During Reagan’s term it was deemed “Reaganomics. ” Trump has done great with our economy. “Unemployment rate has fallen near or at record lows for almost all groups of Americans”. Trump and Reagan both defend the second amendment. Reagan signed the Firearm Owners Protection Act in 1986. Even after being shot Reagan did not waiver on his second amendment support. Trump was endorsed by the NRA for his strong stand on the second amendment. Trump and Reagan were pro-life. A quote by Reagan was “Simple morality dictates that unless and until someone can prove the unborn human is not alive, we must give it the benefit of the doubt and assume it is (alive). And, thus, it should be entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Trump at one time was pro-choice but shared that after a personal experience he had become pro-life, and now he is a strong pro-life president. Reagan was the first president that had been divorced. Reagan had one previous wife. President Trump was divorced twice and is now married to Melania Trump.

In conclusion, these two men are quite similar. This essay did show many similarities while it did show some differences in the two great Presidents chosen. President Trump and President Reagan are not the same so of course some differences would be stated, but they have many similar views.