Edit filter log

'{{Other people}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael Reagan | image = Mike ReMichaeagan.jpg | image_size = | birth_name = John Flaugher a.k.a: John Bourgholtzer, Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1945|3|18}} | birth_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S. | occupation = Radio talk show host | alma_mater = [[Arizona State University]]<br/><small>(dropped-out)</small> | spouse = {{marriage|Pamela Gail Putnam |1970|1971}}<br>{{marriage|Colleen Sterns |1975}} | residence = [[Toluca Lake, Los Angeles]], [[California]] U.S. | children = Cameron<ref name="Cameron Reagan">{{cite news |first=Seema |last=Mehta |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/01/former-president-ronald-reagan-grandson-cameron-reagan-arrested.html |title=Reagan grandson arrested in Van Nuys |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=January 7, 2010 |accessdate=April 23, 2014 }}</ref> and Ashley Reagan<ref name=PortraitOfAMarriage>Edwards, Anne ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=xQpOAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT484&dq=ashley+reagan&hl=en&sa=X&ei=b3xYU-3xE8TuyAGllYCoDA&ved=0CDMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=ashley%20reagan&f=false The Reagans: Portrait of a Marriage]''. St. Martin's Griffin (2004) ISBN 0312331177.</ref> | parents = Irene Flaugher Lange (1916-1986) John Bourgholtzer (d. 1993) (adoptive)<br/>[[Ronald Reagan]] (1911–2004) <br> [[Jane Wyman]] (1917–2007) }} '''Michael Edward Reagan''' (born '''John Flaugher'''; March 18, 1945) is an author and former American [[radio personality|radio host]]. His [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] [[talk radio|radio show]], ''The Michael Reagan Talk Show'', aired on stations throughout the United States on the [[Premiere Radio Networks]]. After Premiere dropped the show, it was picked by [[Radio America (United States)|Radio America]]. The show later moved to [[American Family Radio]] for about 4 months. The show is no longer on the air. He is the adopted son of [[Ronald Reagan]] and his first wife [[Jane Wyman]]. ==Early life== He was born in [[Los Angeles, California]], to Irene Flaugher (born 1916<ref>[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/e/f/Ann-Mefford/ODT1-0005.html Genealogy of Campbell Rice (includes Irene Flaugher)] Accessed 7/4/2009.</ref>- died December 26, 1985<ref>Dougherty, Margot and Lois Armstrong. [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20098541,00.html "Binding Up the Wounds."] ''People Magazine'', 29, 11 (1988-03-21).</ref>), an unwed woman from [[Kentucky]]<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20090928000520/http://kydgi.ky.gov:2005/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/ORP&CISOPTR=614&REC=2 Irene Flaugher, birth mother of Michael Reagan]. Kentucky Historical Society (2005)</ref> who became [[pregnant]] through a relationship with [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] corporal John Bourgholtzer<ref>Bourgholtzer is a surname of German origin. See Jones (2006), p. 102</ref> (died 1993). He was adopted by [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[Jane Wyman]] shortly after his birth. Michael grew up with the Reagan family in [[Beverly Hills, California]], and later nearby [[Pacific Palisades, California|Pacific Palisades]]. He was sent to boarding school when he was six and spent a total of four days per month visiting his father and mother.<ref name="Mike"/> One childhood story he has told that introduced him to politics was how at the age of 8, he asked his father for a raise in his allowance. At the time, around 1953, his allowance was $1 a week. Ronald Reagan said that since he was paying 90 percent of his earnings to the federal government as income tax, he was not able to increase Michael's allowance. This, according to Michael, was how he was introduced to the subject of tax cuts and how that affected people.<ref name="Mike">Reagan, Michael; Hyams, Joe. Michael Reagan: ''On the Outside Looking In''. Kensington Publishing Corporation, 1988 ISBN 0821723928.</ref> He was expelled from [[Loyola High School (Los Angeles)|Loyola High School]] after a short period of time at the school <ref name=TwiceAdopted>Reagan, Michael ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=Aeiyo_KOKIcC&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=michael+reagan+at+loyola+high+school&source=bl&ots=Ski4b7FBtd&sig=7clrEdO7jFciQ2KYAFDkgbm7Iaw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CEdXU8_aONixyAT66YKwCw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=michael%20reagan%20at%20loyola%20high%20school&f=false Twice Adopted: An Important Social Commentator Speaks to the Cultural Ailments Threatening America Today]''. B&H Books (2005) ISBN 0805431446.</ref> and in 1964 he graduated from the [[Judson School]], a boarding school outside of Scottsdale, Arizona.<ref name=Tribune041788/> At his high school graduation, Ronald Reagan introduced himself to his son by saying, "My name is Ronald Reagan. What's yours?" He replied, "I'm your son Mike." "Oh," said Ronald Reagan. "I didn't recognize you."<ref name=Tribune041788>{{cite news |first=Cheryl |last=Lavin |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-04-17/features/8803090826_1_michael-reagan-four-reagan-children-maureen |title=Family Outcast: A Reagan Son Sadly Remembers Years Of Neglect |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=April 17, 1988 |accessdate=2011-02-05 }}</ref> He briefly attended [[Arizona State University]].<ref name=Barrett /> According to Nancy Reagan in her memoirs published in 1989, Reagan disclosed to his parents in 1987 that "at the age of 8, he had been [[child molestation|sexually molested]] by a camp counselor, who had also taken nude pictures of him.... Poor Mike had spent his whole life wracked with guilt and in constant fear that these pictures would someday surface in a way that might embarrass him and, especially, his adoptive father."<ref>Nancy Reagan, ''My Turn. The Memoirs of Nancy Reagan'' (with William Novak), Random House, New York, 1989, p. 185 ISBN 0812992113</ref> Speaking at the opening of the Michael Reagan Center in Spring, Texas, October 7, 2005, Michael said, "At 8 years old, I thought I was going to hell." Michael said the experience drastically changed him: "I cussed God and his Son. I wanted to do anything I could to earn my way into hell." Michael said he was horrified that the pictures would be made public and ruin the lives of his family.<ref>Franco, Melecio C. (2005-10-19). "Arrow Project dedicates Michael Reagan Center". Houston Community Newspapers, Page 1D</ref> ==Marriages and family== Sometime prior to September 1970, Reagan was working as a salesman for the clothing company [[Hart, Schaffner & Marx]]. He then became a director of special events catering at Michaelson Food Service Company in Los Angeles. It was while in this last job that he announced his engagement to Pamela Gail Putnam (born 1952), an aspiring dental assistant.<ref>"Michael Reagan, Governor's Son, to Marry Miss Pamela Putnam", ''[[The New York Times]]'' (1970-09-22).</ref> Pamela was the daughter of [[Duane Putnam]], who was then the [[Atlanta Falcons]] football line coach. The couple married later that year, but were [[divorce]]d a year later in 1971. He married Colleen Sterns, an interior decorator, in 1975 at the [[The Church on the Way|The Church On The Way]].<ref name=Barrett>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922301-2,00.html | work=Time | title=Four Reagans Used to Going Their Own Ways | date=1981-01-05 | accessdate=May 12, 2010 | first1=Laurence I. | last1=Barrett | first2=Claudia | last2=Wallis}}</ref> Together, they have two children, son Cameron and daughter Ashley. Reagan and his wife live in the [[Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, California|Toluca Lake]] area of Los Angeles.<ref name="premierspeakers" /> Son Cameron Reagan has been arrested several times and charged with crimes including possession of drugs, violence and hitting a police officer.<ref name=CameronReagan2>{{cite news |first= |last= |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/07/la-police-cameron-reagan-_n_414637.html |title=LA Police: Cameron Reagan, Ronald Reagan's Grandson, Arrested |work=[[Huffington Post]] |date=January 7, 2010 |accessdate=April 23, 2014 }}</ref> ==Media career== As a young man, Reagan raced boats and later also sold them at a Sea Ray boat dealership in [[Van Nuys, California]]. He set world records in power boat racing,<ref name=TownHall>{{cite web | author= | title=Biography of columnist Michael Reagan | url=http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelReagan | publisher=[[TownHall.com]] | year=2011 | accessdate=2011-02-20}}</ref> and he claims to have raised more than $1.5 million for charities. [[Image:Michael Reagan addresses sailors.jpg|thumb|right|Michael Reagan addresses sailors of the {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76|6}}, 2002]] His first entertainment broadcast job was as a [[game show host]] in charge of the original [[television syndication|syndicated]] version of ''[[Lingo (U.S. game show)|Lingo]],'' which was taped in Canada but broadcast in the United States. The show lasted only for the 1987–1988 season, and Michael left the show before its demise in the wake of financial problems with the show's producers. In the mid-1970s Reagan began his radio career with "On Energy". His big break in [[talk radio]] started in the [[Southern California]] local market as a guest host for radio commentator [[Michael Jackson (radio)|Michael Jackson]]'s talk radio show slot on [[KABC (AM)|KABC]] in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]. After this beginning, he landed a talk show spot on [[KSDO]] radio in [[San Diego, California]]. Reagan's rating success in the San Diego market gave him the opportunity to take his talk show nationwide in 1992 with the [[Premiere Radio Networks]], later being dropped from the network. He then went to the [[Radio America]] Network where he was once again dropped. His show was then picked-up by the [[American Family Radio]] Network for about 4 months and then discontinued. Since that time Michael has focused on public speaking about Ronald Reagan. He also delivers [[conservative]] commentary from time to time on cable television news programs such as the [[Fox News Channel]] as well as on the [[Internet]] for websites such as [[NewsMax]].<ref name="premierspeakers">{{cite web | author= | title=Motivational Speakers/Michael Reagan | url=http://premierspeakers.com/2551/index.cfm?source+overture&OVRAW=%22michael%20reagan%22&OVKEY=michael%20reagan&OVMTC=standard | publisher=Premier Speakers Bureau | year=2010 | accessdate=2011-02-20}}</ref><ref>[http://www.newsmaxstore.com/nm/newsmax_pundits.cfm NewsMax Pundits]. NewsMax.com.</ref> He has found himself in the middle of controversy on many occasions. In 1988, he authored with [[Joe Hyams]] an autobiographical book ''Michael Reagan: On The Outside Looking In''.<ref name="Mike" /> In 2005 he wrote "Twice Adopted" about his feelings of rejection being adopted, parents divorcing and becoming a Christian.<ref name=TwiceAdopted /> After his show was dropped from the Premiere Radio Networks, it was picked up by the Radio America Network. In January 2009, Reagan's show was removed from the Radio America lineup and replaced by [[Roger Hedgecock]].<ref name=RadioAmericaReplaced>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Roger Hedgecock Goes Daily with Radio America |url=http://www.kcbd.com/story/9249929/roger-hedgecock-goes-daily-with-radio-america |location=[[Lubbock, TX]] |publisher=[[KCBD]] |agency= |date=October 28, 2008 |accessdate=April 25, 2014}}</ref> Reagan interjected his broadcasts with provocative and controversial statements. Reacting to the [[Mark Foley scandal]] in 2006, Reagan said, "Any member of [[U.S. Congress|Congress]] who was aware of the sexual [[email]]s and protected the congressman should also resign effective immediately."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Conservatives_also_seek_Hastert_resignation_1002.html|title=Conservatives also seek Hastert's resignation|date=October 2, 2006|author=Beutler, Brian |work=The Raw Story}}</ref> In June 2008, activist [[Mark Dice]] launched a campaign urging people to send letters and DVDs to troops stationed in [[Iraq]] which support the theory that the [[9/11 attacks]] were an "[[9/11 Truth Movement|inside job]]". "Operation Inform the Soldiers", as Dice has called it, prompted Reagan to comment that Dice should be killed for [[treason]]. Reagan said on June 10, 2008: "How about you take Mark Dice out and put him in the middle of a firing range. Tie him to a post, don't blindfold him, let it rip and have some fun with Mark Dice." [[Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting]], a liberal/progressive media criticism organization, asked Radio America at the time to explain whether it permits "its hosts to call for murder on the air". In April 2013, in a syndicated column, Michael Reagan made a statement that, in regards to arguments supporting gay marriage, similar arguments could be used to support polygamy, bestiality, and murder. As he wrote: “There is also a very slippery slope leading to other alternative relationships and the unconstitutionality of any law based on morality. Think about polygamy, bestiality, and perhaps even murder."<ref name=GayMarriage>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Reagan |url=http://www.irontontribune.com/2013/04/02/churches-time-to-fight-back/ |title=Churches: Time to fight back |work=[[Ironton Tribune]] |date=April 2, 2013 |accessdate=April 23, 2014 }}</ref> == Post-radio career == In 2010 Reagan began selling email addresses with the suffix @Reagan.com for an annual price of $39.95 per year. Reagan claims that the service is meant to combat competitors such as [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Hotmail]], [[AOL]] and [[Gmail]] which invest money into [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] causes.<ref>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=Ronald Reagan's Son Launches @Reagan Email Alternative to Lefty Gmail, AOL, Hotmail|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1676888/ronald-reagans-son-launches-gmail-and-yahoo-competitor?partner=rss|publisher=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]]|date=2010-08-02|accessdate=2010-08-08}}</ref> On the February 10, 2011 episode of [[Eternal Word Television Network]]'s ''The World Over'' with Raymond Arroyo, Reagan discussed his reversion back to the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] faith.<ref>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=Raymond Arroyo with Michael Reagan|url=http://en.gloria.tv/?media=130598|publisher=[[EWTN]]|date=2011-02-10}}</ref> During the 2012 elections, Reagan endorsed [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] congressman [[Brad Sherman]] a pro-choice Congressman <ref>[http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Brad_Sherman.htm ] Brad Sherman on abortion, ontheissues.org</ref> who is considered a liberal member of Congress.<ref>[http://reaganemail.com/michael-reagan-goes-left-and-endorses-radical-liberal-for-congress ReaganEmail.com] Michael Reagan Endorses Democrat, Liberal Brad Sherman</ref><ref>[http://armandsrancho.blogspot.com/2012/10/michael-reagan-endorses-brad-sherman.html] Michael Reagan Endorses Brad Sherman, Rancho del Cielo</ref> Reagan was said to be considering a challenge to Sen. [[Dianne Feinstein]] in 2012<ref name=Feinstein>{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Garofoli |url=http://www.sfgate.com/politics/joegarofoli/article/Feinstein-weak-in-poll-but-no-GOP-challenger-yet-2309963.php |title=Feinstein weak in poll, but no GOP challenger yet |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 16, 2011 |accessdate=April 23, 2014 }}</ref> but stated that chairing the Citizen Legislature Act, a proposed ballot initiative that would have established a part-time legislature for California, "is better for me and the state".<ref name=NoFeinstein>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Reagan |url=http://townhall.com/columnists/michaelreagan/2012/03/15/saving_california |title=Saving California |work=[[TownHall.com]] |date=March 15, 2012 |accessdate=April 23, 2014 }}</ref> On September 20, 2012 Michael Reagan was sued by Elias Chavando, the creator of the @Reagan.com email service. Chavando sued Reagan and his company, The Reagan Group, along with Reagan's partner Tim Kelly,<ref name=“Business Week”>{{cite news |first= |last= |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=11765923&privcapId=326813 |title=Tim Kelly: Executive Profile |work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]] |date=May 1, 2014 |accessdate=May 1, 2014 }}</ref> for fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, conversion, breach of partnership agreement, breach of fiduciary duty, promissory estoppel and unjust enrichment, for dealings related to the Reagan Email service.<ref name=CNS09202012>{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Reynolds |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/09/20/50490.htm |title=Ousted by Reagan's Son, Entrepreneur Says |work=[[Courthouse News Service]] |date=September 20, 2012 |accessdate=2013-01-15 }}</ref> ==See also== {{portal|Conservatism}} * [[List of newspaper columnists]] ==References== <div class="references-small"> {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} </div> ==Bibliography== * Jones, George F., ''German-American names'', Genealogical Pub. Co., 2006, ISBN 0-8063-1764-7 ==External links== * [http://www.michaelereagan.com Michael Reagan's website] * [http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelReagan/2007/09/13/tough_love Tough Love], Reminisces of his childhood * [http://www.reaganlegacyfoundation.org/ The Reagan Legacy Foundation], a non-profit, charitable organization founded by Michael Reagan, son of former President [[Ronald Reagan]]. {{S-start}} {{s-bef|before = None}} {{s-ttl|title = Host of ''[[Lingo (US game show)|Lingo]]''|years = 1987–1988}} {{s-aft|after = [[Ralph Andrews]]}} {{S-end}} {{Ronald Reagan}} {{Authority control|VIAF=52490333}} {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> | NAME =Reagan, Michael | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = American journalist | DATE OF BIRTH =March 18, 1945 | PLACE OF BIRTH =Los Angeles, California, U.S. | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Reagan, Michael}} [[Category:American adoptees]] [[Category:American talk radio hosts]] [[Category:American game show hosts]] [[Category:American journalists]] [[Category:American evangelicals]] [[Category:Children of Presidents of the United States]] [[Category:Reagan family]] [[Category:Radio programs on XM Radio]] [[Category:Writers from Los Angeles, California]] [[Category:1945 births]] [[Category:Living people]]'