Former First Lady’s Death Today Throws Social Media Into a Battle Over Her Legacy
Nancy Reagan died today. She was 94. The former First Lady, married to the late President Ronald Reagan, leaves behind a legacy of elegance, a career in film, a great love affair, the “war on drugs,” an extremely out-of-touch relationship with the American populace, and, some say, partial responsibility for the deaths of millions of people with AIDS by ignoring it and not doing anything to stop it.
When the news broke of her passing, Twitter erupted with comments honoring her life and memory, and with comments lambasting her for ignoring the outbreak of HIV/AIDS when it was first discovered. A Buzzfeed article detailing how the former First Lady ignored the pleas of her friend, the actor Rock Hudson, weeks before his death of complications from AIDS are flooding the social media platform right now.
Many saw fit to attack Mrs. Reagan, while others are attacking those who are – calling any condemnation of her immediately after her death inappropriate.
Here, a collection of responses to Nancy Reagan’s passing, from people well known in the media, and others.
What do you think?Â
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama:
Bernie Sanders’ statement:
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s statement:
GOP Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois:
Journalist John Nichols of The Nation:
Author Alexander Chee:
NBC reporter Ronan Farrow:
Goldie Taylor, Editor-At-Large at The Daily Beast:
Journalist Mark Joseph Stern of Slate:
Journalist and Author Joy Reid of MSNBC:
More:
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