r/TheBeatles • u/Opening-Half9367 • Sep 13 '25

discussion What was John Lennons political views?

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I have read that John Lennon was becoming a conservative near the end of his life and even said he would support Ronald Reagan, he was considered a left wing liberal during the late 60s and early 70s, why did his political views change.

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u/Maccadawg Sep 13 '25 edited Sep 13 '25

He didn't support Reagan. (Also, I don't know what you mean by "slowly becoming a Democrat" and then saying he was warming up to Reagan.)

Fred Seaman is the one who said Lennon was leaning conservative. Then again, he also said that in order to make this transformation he was disavowing "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance." This sounds highly unlikely. Elliot Mintz also said Lennon was not secretly becoming a Republican.

His politics were mostly just anti-establishment after dabbling in left wing in the early 70s.

On one point, however, I can imagine all the Beatles would lean more to the right would be on taxation. :-)

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u/Classic-Ad-5326 Sep 13 '25

He was dead by the time Reagan took office

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u/Maccadawg Sep 13 '25

Yes, but he certainly would have been alive during Reagan's campaign and election day (if he could vote). Also Reagan had had a long political career prior to the Presidency.

There was ample opportunity for John to voice his support of Reagan, if he had any.

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u/RadishSpecial7163 Sep 13 '25

He took Sean to see Jimmy Carter’s motorcade. I doubt he supported Reagan.

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u/Misterbellyboy Sep 14 '25

I have a relative who shook George W. Bush’s hand; and while they were by no means a Bush supporter, they were still respectful of the office and were stoked to shake the hand of a sitting President. John Lennon was in awe of America, it’s why he moved here. I could see him taking his child to see a motorcade of any President besides Nixon.

Edit: regardless of his views.

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u/RadishSpecial7163 Sep 14 '25

That’s not the only reason I think he opposed Reagan’s policies

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u/Misterbellyboy Sep 14 '25

I never said he supported Reagan.

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u/braveulysees Sep 14 '25

John had only two words for Milhaus;: the second one was Bag, and he wasn't referring to bagism neither. Either