Conservatives Push Nixon Rehabilitation 50 Years After Watergate, Reviving 'Nixonmaxxing'
Updated
Updated · Daily Kos · Jul 25
Conservatives Push Nixon Rehabilitation 50 Years After Watergate, Reviving 'Nixonmaxxing'
3 articles · Updated · Daily Kos · Jul 25
Summary
Conservative activists and MAGA-aligned commentators are recasting Richard Nixon more favorably, turning “Nixonmaxxing” into a shorthand for rehabilitating his image.
The effort argues Nixon looks better by comparison with current politics, especially around abuses of power, patronage and presidential self-protection.
The report also says some on the right are extending that revisionist impulse beyond Nixon, with Andrew Johnson floated as another former president due for image repair.
The trend reflects a broader attempt to revisit disgraced or divisive presidents as today’s partisan battles reshape historical reputations.