This is consistent with the Republican Party line; then and now. Republicans have practiced racial and sexual discrimination throughout my lifetime. Let me make a case for my assertion. Let's start by stating a primary tenet to the Republican Party platform. Republicans believe in fiscal responsibility, leading to lesser central governmental control. I don't think many would disagree with this statement.

Well, given that at that time of Reagan, almost all of the economy was held and controlled by white males, of course they wanted less outside interference. Less interference meant they could continue to control the counties wealth.

Controlling the countries wealth lead to a reluctance or abhorrence for supporting social programs and the less fortunate in society. Given these "less fortunate" individuals were not actively participating in the economy, but reliant upon those individuals that were (again white males) they therefore must be of lesser value since their contribution is less.

Therefore, since they are of lesser value, they are lesser humans and worthy of ridicule and indignation. Calling them "monkies" is alright, they are lesser. Only difference is that with Trump it's out in the open and the official Party platform.

IMO this has been an underlying tenet of the Republican Party for as long as I can remember, and I'm 65 years old.