Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 23 › Conversation 023-094

Nixon phone call with Kissinger on US-Soviet relations and Gerard C. Smith

Wednesday, April 26, 1972 · 8:20 PM–8:25 PM ET · White House Telephone · 41 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Kissinger, Henry A.Conversation023-094 on Tape 23StartWednesday, April 26, 1972 at 8:20 PMEndWednesday, April 26, 1972 at 8:25 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 023-094 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger spoke briefly to coordinate upcoming travel plans and discuss diplomatic strategy regarding Gerard C. Smith and ongoing US-Soviet relations. Kissinger updated the President on his staff interactions and upcoming media responsibilities. The President encouraged Kissinger to remain firm in his upcoming public appearances while deferring further tactical discussions until their next meeting.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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· Click a timestamp to play from that point; the page address then links to that moment (e.g. #t=125).
Mr. President, I didn't get your message because I went right into the meeting.
No, I told it was not necessary.
I'll see you on the plane.
I had an idea about Smith, but we can handle it then.
Believe me, Mr. President, this is no problem.
I think we should stick more on him.
Oh, I know, but I have an idea.
It's petty vanity.
Sure, I understand.
But you go ahead with your briefing.
You've got more important things on your mind.
Did you get along all right with the staff?
Oh, yes.
Fine.
Now you're doing the TV.
Good luck.
Give them hell.
Good luck.

NARA Description

On April 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 8:20 pm to 8:25 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 023-094 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 23-94

Date: April 26, 1972
Time: 8:20-8:25 pm
Location: White House Telephone

Henry A. Kissinger talked with the President.

[See also Conversation No. 333-44]

     The President's call

     US-Soviet relations
         -Gerard C. Smith
               -Thomas H. Moorer

     Kissinger's briefing

Also recorded on April 27, 1972

  • 023-091 7:10 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:10 pm and 7:37 pm.
  • 333-039 7:10 PM · 11 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 7:10 pm and 7:37 pm.
  • 023-092 7:37 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 7:37 pm.
  • 023-093 7:37 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 7:37 pm and 8:20 pm.
  • 333-041 7:37 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 7:37 pm.
  • 333-042 7:37 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 7:37 pm and 8:20 pm.
  • 333-043 7:37 PM · 13 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 7:37 pm and 8:20 pm.
  • 333-044 8:20 PM · 42 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 8:20 pm to 8:25 pm.

All 13 conversations from April 27, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 023-094, April 27, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/023-094 (accessed October 9, 2026).