Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 131 › Conversation 131-042

Nixon phone call with Camp David Operator on Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

Wednesday, May 17, 1972 · 5:30 PM–5:48 PM ET · Camp David Study Table · 10 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Camp David OperatorConversation131-042 on Tape 131 (tape position 00:51:03–00:51:13)StartWednesday, May 17, 1972 at 5:30 PMEndWednesday, May 17, 1972 at 5:48 PMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 131-042 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to facilitate an urgent communication with General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. The brief exchange served solely as a logistical request to establish a telephone connection between the President and his deputy assistant for national security affairs. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this request.

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yes, please.
Would you get me Mr. Haig, please?
General Haig.
I sure will, Mr. President.
Thank you.

NARA Description

On May 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 5:30 pm and 5:48 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 131-042 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 131-42

Date: May 17, 1972
Time: Unknown between 5:30 pm and 5:48 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with the Camp David operator.

[See also Conversation No. 190-2]

     Request for a call to Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

Also recorded on May 17, 1972

  • 190-001 5:30 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 5:30 pm and 5:48 pm.
  • 190-002 5:30 PM · 22 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 5:30 pm and 5:48 pm.
  • 190-003 5:30 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 5:30 pm and 5:48 pm.
  • 131-014 5:48 PM · 9 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone at Camp David from 5:48 pm to 5:57 pm.
  • 190-004 5:48 PM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 5:48 pm and 5:57 pm.
  • 131-015 5:57 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 5:57 pm.
  • 190-005 5:57 PM · 11 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 5:57 pm.
  • 190-006 6:40 PM · 10 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Beverly J. Kaye, and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:40 pm and 7:33 pm.

All 63 conversations from May 17, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 131-042, May 17, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/131-042 (accessed October 11, 2026).