Hundreds of people gathered on Friday Ronald Reagan Presidential Library The tribute is particularly poignant as it marks the late president’s 115th birthday – and the death of his son, Michael Reagan, earlier this year.

Attendees included Reagan’s granddaughter Ashley Reagan, who said the annual commemoration helps preserve the legacy her father, Michael, spent his life protecting.

“Even though he passed away recently, it was very important to my family to make sure that we were here to honor my grandfather and his legacy and everything it stood for,” she said.

“He lived to make sure my grandfather’s legacy lived on,” she said. “So now, it’s carrying on the legacy of my grandfather and my father.”

Michael Reagan, eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan, dies at 80

President Ronald W. Reagan speaks to the press at the Iran-Contra hearings. (Diana Walker/Getty Images)

The annual commemoration in Simi Valley, Calif., draws the former president’s family, political leaders and longtime admirers.

Fox News Digital channels exclusive interviews with Ashley Reagan and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Reflecting on Reagan’s legacy and the relevance of his leadership in today’s deeply divided political climate.

Ashley opens up about her dad after his death on January 4, after a battle with cancer. He is 80 years old.

“He was definitely a character. He spoke his mind. You always knew where he stood politically,” Ashley said. “He was a man who always told the truth.”

Ashley said her father, a national radio talk show host, had the ability to connect with people from all walks of life, “no matter who they were.”

Ashley Reagan, granddaughter of former President Ronald Reagan, attends a birthday ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on February 6, 2026. (played by Norah Moriarty)

“I think it’s just watching and watching over the years and watching how my grandfather interacted with people, how he communicated with people, his communication wasn’t based on who someone was,” she explained. “That’s why he’s been able to accomplish what he’s been able to accomplish during his tenure.”

Ashley also stressed that the President Ronald Reagan Americans saw on the national stage was no different than the “grandpa” she knew at home, describing him as “the heart of the earth.”

“The guy you see is the guy he’s with us,” Ashley told Fox News Digital. “We rode horses with him; we went to his house, had lunch with him all the time, and he was just, he was grandpa.”

As adults, the Reagans spent a lot of time at their Santa Barbara ranch, Rancho del Cielo. (Getty Images)

A speeding ticket led me to Reagan’s hometown and a deeper understanding of the American president

When it comes to how Reagan views today’s political climate, both Ashley and McCarthy said there were similarities to the turbulent times Reagan faced when he took office in the 1980s and believed history was repeating itself.

“I think it’s a reflection of what it was like when he took over in the ’80s,” Ashley said. “I think if you look back historically and see what the country was like before he took office, it reflects that time frame.”

“High inflation, an embarrassment to the United States due to the American hostage crisis, and a current president who believes the best days are behind him… there are many similarities.,” McCarthy added.

Ashley said her grandfather would have emphasized unity, especially at a time when political divisions were so deep.

“I think he would encourage us to reach across party lines more, but unfortunately I think we’re seeing history repeat itself in a lot of ways,” she said.

Marines stand in front of the Reagan Presidential Memorial at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, during a ceremony commemorating the 115th anniversary of Reagan’s birth. (Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

“He was very focused on unity and he always said the only way to get things done was to reach across the aisle and work with the other side. The reason he was able to accomplish so much was because he didn’t just focus on the people who agreed with him but worked with everyone,” she added.

McCarthy, the keynote speaker at the event commemorating Reagan’s 115th birthday, told Fox News Digital that the former president played a huge influence in defining his political philosophy.

“I grew up in an all-Democratic household,” the spokesman said. “He and Abraham Lincoln are the reasons I became a Republican. I rejected what I heard at home.”

Kevin McCarthy, 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives, during a ceremony commemorating the birthday of former President Ronald Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on February 6, 2026. (played by Norah Moriarty)

“I remember being in grade school and watching Jimmy Carter tell me the best days are behind him and him (Reagan) walking up to the podium and saying no pastels, fly the bold colors and go to that shining city on the hill. That’s who I want to follow. That’s what brought me to this world.” republican party,” McCarthy added.

The spokesman also described Reagan as a “happy conservative” who believed strong principles would lead to more freedom – the kind of leader he said America needs today.

“He actually welcomed more people to the party,” McCarthy said. “We have what are called Reagan Democrats. These are people who were educated through him and say, ‘I want to be with him. I want America to be better.'” These are the types of candidates we should be looking for. “

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Ashley said part of how she continues Reagan’s legacy is through her work with the Young America’s Foundation (YAF), which Santa Barbara, California – She explained that the site is very personal to the family.

Michael Reagan speaks at Young America’s Foundation event. Reagan died on Sunday, January 4, according to a family statement. (Youth America Foundation)

“With my father’s death, it just made us more involved in these types of things because we didn’t want to miss out on the connection to Ronald Reagan,” she said.

“Young people continue to draw inspiration from President Reagan’s words about freedom. Even today, the focus on his birthday draws attention to his extraordinary influence,” YAF president and former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said in a statement to Fox News Digital.