Alexander Butterfield contacted H. R. Haldeman to facilitate a phone call from Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird to President Nixon. Haldeman consulted with the President, who initially declined to speak with Laird before reversing his decision and requesting that the call be patched through. The exchange functioned as a brief coordination effort to connect the Secretary of Defense with the President regarding his recent absence from the Pentagon.
On May 8, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:45 pm and 9:57 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-018 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 24-18 Date: May 8, 1972 Time: Unknown between 9:45 pm and 9:57 pm Location: White House Telephone Alexander P. Butterfield talked with H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman. [See also Conversation No. 336-69B] Request for a call to the President -Call from Melvin R. Laird -Purpose Haldeman conferred with the President at an unknown time. [See Conversation No. 336-69] [End of conferral] Laird's call -Completion
This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.