Ronald Reagan

About Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989), occupies the #307 spot in MIT's Historical Popularity Index, reflecting a significant global impact. As a former actor, his presidency was defined by conservative domestic policies and a confrontational stance toward the Soviet Union, playing a pivotal role in the final years of the Cold War. His time in office is often credited with helping to shift the political landscape in the US and internationally, securing his place among history's most influential figures.

Despite this high historical ranking, Reagan’s contemporary internet attention suggests a notable gap. He accumulated 5.6 million annualized Wikipedia views in 2025, which is precisely half the attention received by his contemporary, Joe Biden (#329 importance). Even more striking, Reagan receives less than half the traffic of musician Bob Dylan, who ranks significantly lower in historical importance (#736). This indicates a positive attention gap of approximately +13x, meaning his modern digital visibility is over thirteen times what one might expect given his historical standing, though this attention is declining.

This decline is evident in the momentum data: Reagan's interest saw a 23.4% year-over-year decrease, and his Q1 to Q3 momentum dropped by 35%, suggesting that while he is still highly visible, the intensity of public interest is waning in 2025.