It is part of the know lore of the early days of AIDS that US President Ronald Reagan dragged his feet horrifically, not mentioning the disease until over 5,000 American citizens died, and waiting until four times as many were dead before making a speech about the health emergency.
However, if you’ve ever wondered why that was or the true contempt the Reagan White House held those suffering from the disease – largely because at the time it mainly effected gay men – a short new documentary released via the Vanity Fair website shows just how little they cared, with staff joking about people dying of AIDS.
The words come from White House Deputy Press Secretary Larry Speakes in previously unremarked on audio from press conferences, where he seems to think the fact it’s happening to gay men makes they tragic death humourous.
Take a look below.
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