BBC Witness: Reagan’s Bombing Joke

By Julian Hayda, Jerome McDonnell
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan enjoy the Opening Ceremonies of the 23rd Olympiad, which was boycotted by the Soviet Union, on July 28, 1984.
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan enjoy the Opening Ceremonies of the 23rd Olympiad, which was boycotted by the Soviet Union, on July 28, 1984. Associated Press
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan enjoy the Opening Ceremonies of the 23rd Olympiad, which was boycotted by the Soviet Union, on July 28, 1984.
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan enjoy the Opening Ceremonies of the 23rd Olympiad, which was boycotted by the Soviet Union, on July 28, 1984. Associated Press

BBC Witness: Reagan’s Bombing Joke

By Julian Hayda, Jerome McDonnell
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“We have outlawed Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.” It was just an unscripted joke by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, but it terrified ordinary Russians. Reagan’s advisor Morton Blackwell tells the BBC’s Dina Newman about the former president’s love of anti-Soviet jokes and his determination to destroy communism.