{"id":2390867,"date":"2025-01-15T19:58:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T00:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-preinaugural-hostage-deal-draws-parallels-with-reagan-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-15T20:01:18","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T01:01:18","slug":"trumps-preinaugural-hostage-deal-draws-parallels-with-reagan-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trumps-preinaugural-hostage-deal-draws-parallels-with-reagan-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump&#8217;s preinaugural hostage deal draws parallels with Reagan &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrumps-preinaugural-hostage-deal-draws-parallels-with-reagan-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2390867&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Teh article discusses parallels between President-elect Donald \u200dTrump&#8217;s involvement in securing \u200ca hostage deal in Gaza and the historical release of American\u2063 hostages by\u200d Iran \u200dduring Ronald Reagan&#8217;s inauguration in 1981.\u2063 On Wednesday, a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was \u200bestablished, which included the release \u200cof 33 hostages, with the potential for more to be freed \u2064in subsequent stages of the ceasefire. The timing of this hostage release\u200d parallels the\u2063 release \u2064of American hostages just moments after Reagan took office, which\u2062 manny interpreted\u200d as a meaningful foreign policy victory\u2064 for him.<\/p>\n<p>The article outlines the events surrounding the 1979 Iran hostage crisis when Iranian militants took 53 Americans captive, leading to political turmoil and dissatisfaction with then-President Jimmy Carter. The release of the hostages, coming right after Reagan&#8217;s inauguration, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/joe-biden-impeachment-nancy-mace-decries-the-hypocrisy-of-democrats-complaining-about-hearing\/\" title=\"Nancy Mace slams Democrats&#039; &#039;hypocrisy&#039; on Biden impeachment hearing complaints.\">sparked \u2064intense debate<\/a>\u2062 regarding whether it was influenced by Reagan&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-viral-x-image-does-not-show-protests-against-le-pen-in-france\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Viral X Image Does Not Show Protests Against Le Pen In France\">recent election victory<\/a> or if it was\u200c due to unrelated \u200cdelays \u200cin negotiations set up by Carter.\u200c Some defend Reagan&#8217;s management as having coerced Iran into releasing the hostages, while critics \u200bargue the release was either coincidental or a strategic slight\u200d against Carter, with claims of a possible\u200c &#8220;October Surprise&#8221; conspiracy surfacing as well.\u2064 both \u200dTrump&#8217;s\u2063 recent actions and Reagan\u2019s historical context invoke discussions on leadership and foreign policy tactics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Trump&rsquo;s role in <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">preinaugural hostage deal draws parallels<\/a> with Reagan in 1981<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1936345\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>President-elect <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Donald Trump's\">Donald Trump&rsquo;s<\/a> role in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3287722\/israel-and-hamas-finalize-ceasefire-hostage-deal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Donald Trump's\">securing a hostage deal<\/a> in Gaza before even taking office drew parallels with Iran&rsquo;s release of American hostages in 1981.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>On Wednesday, mediators announced a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, with one of the stipulations involving the release of 33 hostages. If conditions are met, all remaining hostages will be released in the planned second and third stages of the ceasefire, which would culminate in an end to hostilities. Trump&rsquo;s role in securing their release before even entering office drew parallels to Iran&rsquo;s release of hostages minutes after the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan on Jan. 20, 1981.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Former hostage Malcolm Kalp waves from a car during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nyc-mayoral-candidate-stands-against-vaccine-mandates\/\" title=\"NYC mayoral candidate stands against vaccine mandates\">ticker tape parade<\/a> through lower Manhattan, Jan. 30, 1981. The parade highlighted two days of festivities for the released American hostages held captive by Iranian militants in Tehran for 444 days. (AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The role of Trump and Reagan in both cases is the subject of heavy debate.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reagan and the 1981 hostage release<\/h2>\n<p>On Nov. 4, 1979, Iranian Islamic radicals stormed the U.S. Embassy compound and took 53 Americans hostage. The crisis consumed the American political scene, with the public outraged at the brazen attack. President Jimmy Carter&rsquo;s inability to free the hostages was seen as an indictment of his abilities as a president, with Republicans especially viewing the hostage-taking as a symptom of Carter&rsquo;s perceived weakness.<\/p>\n<p>After 444 days, the hostages were released just minutes after Reagan was sworn into office, giving the appearance of starting his administration with a smashing foreign policy victory.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; In this Jan. 20, 1981, file photo, President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan wave to onlookers at the Capitol building as they stand at the podium in Washington following the swearing-in ceremony. (AP Photo, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The timing and reason for the release of the hostages have stirred up intense historical debate. Reagan&rsquo;s defenders view the timing as no coincidence, arguing that the Iranians were pushed to make a deal after Reagan&rsquo;s landslide defeat of Carter. In this telling of events, Tehran feared a forceful retaliation from Reagan if the hostages weren&rsquo;t promptly returned; releasing them minutes after his inauguration was both a sign of goodwill for the new president and a move made out of fear.<\/p>\n<p>In critics&rsquo; eyes, the release of the hostages minutes after Reagan took office was either due to unrelated delays in carrying out the terms of the deal or a deliberate slight against Carter more than a move to appease Reagan. Reagan&rsquo;s team had no say in the actual hostage negotiations, and the terms that ended the crisis in the Algiers Accords were all reached by Carter&rsquo;s team.<\/p>\n<p>Another major event that led to the release unrelated to Reagan was Iraq&rsquo;s surprise invasion months before. Tehran was worried that continuing to keep the hostages would isolate it diplomatically and lead to U.S. support for Iraq.<\/p>\n<p>Reagan&rsquo;s biggest critics even <a href=\"https:\/\/newrepublic.com\/article\/172324\/its-settled-reagan-campaign-delayed-release-iranian-hostages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"allege\">allege<\/a> an &ldquo;October Surprise&rdquo; conspiracy, claiming that representatives from Reagan&rsquo;s campaign secretly colluded with the Iranians to delay the release of the hostages until Reagan was in office so as not to help Carter&rsquo;s reelection campaign.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trump&rsquo;s role in the 2025 hostage deal<\/h2>\n<p>Trump appears to have had an unambiguously more direct role in the hostage release than Reagan, with his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, taking on a direct role in negotiations before Trump has taken office. Several Biden administration officials openly praised Witkoff and held him partially responsible for the deal.<\/p>\n<p>Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Witkoff as a &ldquo;terrific partner&rdquo; in the talks.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think Steve Witkoff has been a terrific partner in this, and also President-elect Trump in making clear that he wants to see this deal go forward, and go forward before Jan. 20. And of course, everyone wants to know &mdash; and it&rsquo;s very useful as well to have Steve a part of this &mdash; they want to make sure that the deal that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-taking-regeneron-drug-remdesivir-therapy-for-coronavirus-diagnosis-ex-wh-doctor-explains\/\" title=\"Trump taking Regeneron drug, Remdesivir therapy for coronavirus diagnosis: ex-WH doctor explains\">president&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s put on the table and that we&rsquo;ve negotiated, the Trump administration will continue to back,&rdquo; Blinken said on Monday.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President-elect Donald Trump listens as Steve Witkoff speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo\/Evan Vucci)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>State Department spokesman Matthew Miller acknowledged on Wednesday that the Trump team &ldquo;has been absolutely critical in getting this deal over the line&rdquo; because the Biden administration can&rsquo;t follow through on the promises given its impending expiration.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We thank the Trump team for working with this on this ceasefire agreement. We think it&rsquo;s important that they were at the table,&rdquo; he added.<\/p>\n<p>Though President Joe Biden acknowledged that he and Trump&rsquo;s team had &ldquo;been speaking as one team,&rdquo; he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3287994\/biden-celebrates-israel-hamas-ceasefire-declines-credit-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"declined\">declined<\/a> to give Trump credit, asking, &ldquo;Is that a joke?&rdquo; when a reporter asked if Trump deserved credit.<\/p>\n<p>A diplomat briefed on the ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/world\/2025\/01\/15\/israel-war-gaza-ceasefire-hostages-news-hamas\/#link-RO4YL25X2ZB6DJP3TWPCCUIFTE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"speaking with\">speaking with<\/a> the <em>Washington Post<\/em>, cited Trump as the decisive factor in securing it, saying it was &ldquo;the first time there has been real pressure on the Israeli side to accept a deal.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Trump himself had no doubt about his role in the negotiations, taking credit in a post on Truth Social.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies,&rdquo; he <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/113833531533520804\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"said\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1936345\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1936345\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump&#8217;s involvement in a pre-inaugural hostage deal mirrors Reagan&#8217;s 1981 situation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2653,"featured_media":2390868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/trump-reagan-collage.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[34139,48590,3634],"class_list":["post-2390867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-hostage-deal","tag-preinaugural","tag-trump"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/trump-reagan-collage.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2653"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2390867"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2390871,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2390867\/revisions\/2390871"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2390868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2390867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2390867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2390867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}