*Founding Members exclusive* Ronald Reagan takes his biggest leap yet: from Hollywood star and California governor to the White House. In this episode, Katty Kay and Anthony Scaramucci chart Reagan’s bruising campaign against Jimmy Carter, a landslide victory that redefined American politics, and the near-fatal assassination attempt that almost ended his presidency before it began.
With his approval ratings soaring, Reagan rolls out his bold economic experiment — Reaganomics. Sweeping tax cuts, deregulation, and a dramatic showdown with striking air traffic controllers set the tone for a new conservative era. But behind the optimism and patriotic rhetoric lay recession, soaring unemployment, and a country still reeling from the turmoil of the 1970s. How did Reagan’s first years in power ignite a political revolution, and what price did America pay for it?
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
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
