During the 1980s, The Washington Times became a valuable resource for those who wanted know what was on President Ronald Reagan’s mind — or how to influence his thinking.
On June 21, 1984, the president urged students from the National YMCA Youth Governors Conference to read The Times to learn how their government worked.
“And if you really want to get some history on this when you leave here,” he said at a ceremony in the Rose Garden, “get a copy of The Washington Times.”
Mr. Reagan held up that day’s Commentary section. “You’ll find some very interesting reading and, at the same time, you’ll have a complete knowledge of what the history of our attempts has been down through the years,” he told the young leaders.
After The Times published a pointed editorial on the 1985 Achille Lauro cruise ship hijacking, Mr. Reagan ordered U.S. jet fighters to intercept an Egyptian airliner that was carrying the Palestinian hijackers to safety.
Time magazine credited The Washington Times‘ editorial with stiffening the president’s resolve.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Freedom, family, faith: Celebrating 40 years of The Washington Times
In 1986, Fortune magazine reported that The Times was one of five newspapers Mr. Reagan read daily before his first meeting at 9 a.m.
Mr. Reagan’s steadfast opposition to communism meshed with that of the founders of The Washington Times, which chronicled and revealed communist threats and aggressions around the world throughout the 1980s.
The first decade at The Times ended with the widespread collapse of communism and the disintegration of the Soviet Union, momentous events that the newspaper thoroughly recorded for posterity.
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“The Washington Times has played a major role in providing hard-hitting investigations, solid conservative commentary, and a healthy and vitally needed alternative to the liberal media.”
— Newt Gingrich, former speaker of the House
“Since the first term of Ronald Reagan, The Washington Times has been keeping citizens informed, holding public officials to account and adding to the intelligent debate on issues of the day.”
— Former Vice President Dick Cheney
“I also want to thank Dr. Moon for founding with her late husband, Rev. Moon, The Washington Times, which has made a priceless contribution to the defense of truth, faith and freedom, both here in America and all over the globe.”
— Former President Donald Trump
“I want to express my appreciation, especially to The Washington Times — a courageous voice for freedom in my country and frankly around the world. They have been a voice for faith and family and liberty for all.”
— Former Vice President Mike Pence
“Delivering reliable information increases knowledge and encourages healthy public debate. We know an independent press is vital to a free society, and it’s necessary to hold people in power accountable. Thanks for doing your part.”
— Former President George W. Bush
“The Washington Times will always stand for a free people.”
— Former President George H.W. Bush
“The Washington Times has always been a voice for the voiceless in womb. As cancel culture attempts to silence so many other Americans, this publication is needed now more than ever before.”
— Former Sen. Rick Santorum
“Congratulations to The Washington Times for celebrating 40 years. A free and open press is as fundamental an institution to a healthy democracy as the Constitution or rule of law.”
— Former Secretary of State
“As long as The Washington Times is alive and well, conservative voices will never be drowned out.”
— Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
“I will reliably report to you that it was an awful lot of fun in a Democratic White House to read The Washington Times every day, [with its] insights into the infighting among movement conservatives.”
— Michael McCurry, Clinton White House spokesman
“There is no stronger or more clear voice for the values and issues of democracy and freedom, than The Washington Times. From Ronald Reagan’s presidency, through today, The Washington Times has been fearless and effective.”
— Former Indiana Rep. Dan Burton
“It plays an indispensable role in the region — and the nation’s — media landscape. Congratulations to The Times.”
— Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan
“The Times has been a fair and independent voice in Washington, D.C., for decades. It has been a clear and courageous news source that is relied upon and respected by many in the United States and abroad, especially for its coverage of national security matters.”
— Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper
“The Washington Times offers serious journalism and provides some of the best coverage on immigration issues and our nation’s border security.”
— Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona
“CPAC and The Washington Times have always fought side by side to advance America’s founding principles. For years, The Washington Times has sponsored the CPAC Straw Poll, which sets the marker for the issues most important to the conservative movement, and which candidates best reflect those sentiments. We’re very grateful for the partnership with The Washington Times on this special anniversary.”
— CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp
“The Washington Times fills an important void in our nation’s capital, bringing much-needed accountability to the federal government. For 40 years, Americans have benefited from The Times’ journalism.”
— Mercedes Schlapp, CPAC senior fellow and co-host of “CPAC NOW: America Uncanceled”
“The Washington Times helps keep both political parties and other media in check. It helps keep Republican members and administrations accountable to the conservative base, and it blows the whistle on big-government policies that may not receive the same scrutiny from other media outlets.”
— Sen. Charles E. Grassley of Iowa
“I always thoroughly read The Washington Times at breakfast. Then I can skim through The Washington Post and limit the amount of poison I have to ingest each morning.”
— Morton Blackwell, president of the Leadership Institute
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