Ronald Reagan made a joke about bombing Russia while caught on a hot mic in the 1980s.
Posted by The Kuhner Report, Checked
- Sources
- 4 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
The Kuhner ReportOct 7, 2026
Multiple tier1 and tier2 sources (BBC, Politico, NYT) confirm Reagan joked during a August 11, 1984 pre-radio-address sound check that 'We begin bombing in five minutes' after signing legislation to 'outlaw Russia forever,' and the remark leaked and drew condemnation.
What was said
… Why do people think, why do people say that Trump is a pedophile? Because the media come up with a hoax to cover up for all the Democrats who were on Epstein's list, and these chuckleheads run with it. They've been doing this for years, though. Do you recall back in the 80s when Reagan made a joke and it got caught on the hot mic? Oh, yeah, we're about to commence bombing, yeah, bombing of Russia, and he was clearly joking. They you tried using that against them. Here's another thing. I'm not saying you overlooked it, but to consider what's about to happen with CN right now. …
The Kuhner Report · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. BBC News reports Reagan, during a soundcheck before his weekly radio address, joked 'We begin bombing in five minutes' about outlawing Russia forever, and the remarks were later leaked.[1]
Supports. Politico's account dates the joke to Aug. 11, 1984, describing it as a flippant remark made during a mic check that leaked to the media.[2]
Supports. The New York Times (1984 report republished) describes the joke as made during a 'voice check' before the radio broadcast and notes it was described as 'black humor' and 'anti-Soviet.'[3]
Supports. BBC audio describes the remark as an unscripted joke by Reagan that terrified ordinary Russians, corroborating that it was a joke.[4]
Context. The post's phrasing ('we're about to commence bombing... of Russia') is a paraphrase of the actual quote 'We begin bombing in five minutes'; the core assertion about the joke is preserved.[1][2][5]
Sources
5 sources: 2 tier 1, 2 tier 2, 1 not rated
- 1Five 'hot mic' moments that got leaders in trouble - BBC Newsbbc.co.uk · tier 1 · cited for: supports, context
- 2Reagan ‘jokes’ about bombing Soviet Union, Aug. 11, 1984politico.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports, context
- 3REAGAN SAID TO JOKE OF BOMBING RUSSIA BEFORE ...nytimes.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 4Witness History | Reagan's Bombing Joke - BBC Audiobbc.com · tier 1 · cited for: supports
- 5Top 10 Hot Mic Moments - TIMEcontent.time.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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