Ronald Reagan did not come from power, privilege, or political dynasty. And the movie that tells his story did not come easily either. Filmmaker and author Mark Joseph joins Elizabeth Farah to reveal the 19-year battle to bring Reagan to the screen, and why Hollywood resisted telling the story of a president who reshaped America and helped bring down the Soviet empire.
Mark explains why Reagan is not a political film, but a human one, a story about destiny, failure, perseverance, and purpose discovered late in life. Drawing on more than 15 years of research and interviews with over 50 Reagan aides, he dismantles the caricature of Reagan as a shallow figurehead and exposes the truth: Reagan’s so-called “dark side” was not cruelty or corruption, but rejection, near-failure, and relentless preparation.
Together, Mark and Elizabeth explore why Reagan was both deeply loved and fiercely hated, why the myth that “everyone loved Reagan” is false, and how protest movements, media hostility, and cultural contempt followed him throughout his presidency. They examine Reagan’s leadership style, his underestimated intelligence, and his ability to defeat opponents while disarming them at the same time.
The conversation also draws sharp contrasts between Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, explaining how two men with very different temperaments emerged from very different worlds, yet connected powerfully with ordinary Americans. From Reagan’s small-town Midwestern roots to Trump’s New York battlefield instincts, this interview lays out what real leadership looks like, why it frightens institutions, and why it continues to matter today.
This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of Reagan, the man behind the film, and the president whose legacy still looms over America, for better or for worse.
Guest: Mark Joseph , Filmmaker, producer, and author of Reagan: The Untold Story of the Movie That Almost Never Happened
Host: Elizabeth Farah , Founder of The Elizabeth Farah Show and co-founder of WND.com
What You Will Hear
• Why it took 19 years to make the movie Reagan
• How Reagan’s failures prepared him for leadership
• Why Hollywood punishes films about certain historical figures
• The truth about Reagan’s critics and the protests against him
• How Reagan was underestimated on purpose, and why it worked
• The real similarities and differences between Reagan and Trump
• Why Reagan was seen as “America’s dad” in the 1980s
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Ronald Reagan still matters because America has changed. Filmmaker Mark Joseph joins me to explain why “Reagan” had to be made, and why Hollywood fought it for 19 years. @ReaganMovie https://t.co/GMBG6fhuFX
— Elizabeth Farah America 1st always (@ElizabethFarah) December 19, 2025
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