Statement by Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board of The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on the Death of Anthony "Tony" Dolan

Statement by Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Board of The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on the Death of Anthony "Tony" Dolan

Simi Valley, California – The Reagan Foundation mourns the passing of Anthony R. Dolan, a gifted speechwriter, journalist, and public servant. 

A Yale-educated journalist, Tony first rose to national prominence in 1978 when he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his exposé of organized crime’s infiltration of the Stamford Police Department, which led to sweeping reforms. But it was in the White House, serving as Chief Speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1989, that Tony found his most influential platform.

 His words carried the weight of history, none more so than the iconic “Evil Empire” speech, delivered by President Reagan in March 1983, which boldly defined the struggle between freedom and tyranny. He also worked closely on the Moscow State University address, one of President Reagan’s most eloquent articulations of democratic ideals. Tony’s ability to distill complex ideas into powerful, memorable speeches helped define the Reagan presidency and shaped the course of the Cold War.

 Beyond the Reagan years, Tony continued to serve his country as a senior adviser to Secretary of State Colin Powell, a special adviser to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and a contributor to numerous presidential and political campaigns. Most recently, in January 2025, he was appointed Special Assistant for Domestic Policy in the Trump White House.

Tony understood that words could change the world, and time and again, he proved it. His intellect, passion for conservative principles, and unwavering belief in America defined his life.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who were privileged to know and work alongside him. May he rest in peace, and may his words continue to inspire generations to come.

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Media Contact:  Melissa Giller, mgiller@reaganfoundation.org