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Every 6 February America celebrates President Ronald Reagan’s birthday – President whose optimism, eloquence and unwavering love for his country has defined the age. Not only did we love him, we loved ourselves and who we were like Americans when he was president. He made us patriotic and proud, brave and optimistic and gave us a deep meaning to our values as we shone with the torches of freedom all over the world under his leadership, urging others to follow. And they are.
We miss Reagan and for the past few years we have missed those feelings of pride and optimism in America. But from January 20th feels like morning in America and how the sun rises at the second term President Donald Trump, Similar emotions are caused. Americans celebrate.
Working for both presidents, I know well that Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump are two very different men with extremely different guidance styles, but share one love for America. And Americans. All Americans.
Trump signs the executive order “There are no men in women’s sport”
Reagan and Trump come from very different worlds, but both ended up in an oval office – something that could only happen in America. Reagan was born in poverty in the town of Illinois, working as a radio announcer, a Hollywood actor, president of the screen guild and then Governor California, before he became president. He understood the struggles of ordinary Americans because he lived them.
Peggy Grande holds a cake for the 82th birthday of President Ronald Reagan in his city of Century, California, after the end of his second term.
Trump, in contrast, brought up in wealth and built his real estate empire, doing this by doing it together with people who build, make and repair America – such as architects, concrete layers, plumbing, electricians and housewives. His work and wealth did not areolate him from everyday Americans; He plunged him into their world and exposed them to their problems. And he saw that he could solve those problems.
They both knew the heart and soul of this nation and loved and respected his diligent, daily people.
Another key similarity is their priority communicating directly with the US public. Reagan did so through fiery conversations, weekly radio addresses and speech of oval office to connect with Americans. His voice, warm and convincing, instilled in confidence and hope and giving a vision for a better future that he invited us to create together.
Trump, in contrast, used communication tools today – Twitter / X, Truth Social, Tictok, Impromet and formal interactions for printing, inviting cameras and journalists to the oval office – all to help him reach millions of Americans immediately and unfiltered. His transparency and accessibility are unprecedented, ensuring that Americans always know what he promises – and what he delivers.
Although their methods were different, both presidents had a common goal of bypassing traditional goalkeepers in the media to talk directly with the American people and were led and believed.
Reagan originally coined the phrase “make America a big again,” and he delivered it to it. After four years of weakness under President Jimmy Carter, Reagan strengthened the decreasing America, returning it to its domestic size and international respect.
Similarly, Trump adopted this language of Maga and made it central in his own presidential campaigns, with a special campaign in 2024, echoing a fall under President Joe Biden, who reminded America in 1980 under Carter. Both Reagan and Trump shared the vision of restoring American prosperity, forces and pride – wanting to be proud of themselves and their nation again.
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Trump also accepted Reagan’s philosophy “Peace Power”, advocating for a strong military and bold foreign policy to ensure that America remains a dominant global force. This is achieved with strong words, bold action and resources to ensure success. Instead of capitulating American enemies, through American strength, clarity and determination, both presidents believed that we could avoid a conflict to ever start with a strong posture at the beginning as a distraction and ready to take assertive, decisive actions when needed.
President Donald Trump dances with his wife and the first lady Melania Trump with the commander and the main ball. (Andrew Hardik/Getty Images)
Reagan was a uniform, his messages have always been wrapped in sympathetic, patriotic optimism. Trump, with the instinct of his fighter, is understood as a division, but that toughness is exactly what the Americans voted for and they came to admire it. Reagan led at the second age, with a media environment that was far less hostile and not 24/7. Trump’s Presidency is forged at a time of hyperstation and ruthless opposition, demanding a different kind of leadership, which Trump embodies.
The story of Reagan’s life, leadership and heritage has already been written, although history will continue to question and judge it. His words and his actions will continue to confront the supervision and discover the heart of a man who loved America, loved Americans and inspired the nation and changed the world. So today he remembers and will continue to be.
Reagan forced America to believe in himself again, and today Trump struggles to bring that belief back to Americans again. Trump has a unique opportunity to take advantage of the best of Reagan – his ability to inspire, unite and elevate American size – and combine it with his own fearless approach.
President Ronald Reagan dance with the first lady Nancy Reagan. (Ronald Reagan Presidential Library/Getty Images)
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If Trump is still channeling Reagan’s optimism, strength and discomfort, combining it with his own ideas, furious defense of American interests and dedication to bringing peace to the world, the legacy of Donald Trump will subordinate – or even could surpass Reagan.
Today we remember and celebrate Ronald Reagan, who continues to inspire America and the world – and may even even inspire the current president as he strengthens and refines his place in history. Reagan’s life story is written. This is the next chapter that Donald Trump wrote.
