← 024-139024-141 →

Conversation 024-140

TapeTape 24StartTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 8:10 AMEndTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 8:25 AMTape start time03:21:16Tape end time03:27:19ParticipantsLukash, William M.;  Nixon, Richard M. (President);  Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with his physician, Dr. William Lukash, regarding the medical status of Governor George Wallace following the recent assassination attempt. They discussed the extent of Wallace's injuries, including the risk of paralysis, his prognosis for recovery, and the logistics of potentially transferring the governor to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Additionally, the President inquired about the condition of the Secret Service agent wounded in the attack and reviewed public relations strategies with his staff to manage the dissemination of these sensitive updates.

George C. WallaceAssassination attemptMedical statusPublic relationsBethesda Naval Hospital
AudioNARA Description

On May 16, 1972, William M. Lukash, President Richard M. Nixon, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 8:10 am to 8:25 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 024-140 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 24-140

Date: May 16, 1972
Time: 8:19 am - 8:25 am
Location: White House Telephone

Dr. William M. Lukash talked with the President.

[See also Conversation No. 725-10A]

The President conferred with Alexander M. Haig, Jr. before the conversation began.

[See Conversation No. 725-10]

[End of conferral]

     George C. Wallace shooting
         -Lukash's report
               -Surgery
               -Tests and x-rays
               -Paralysis possibility
               -General condition
               -Recovery prognosis
                    -Timing
                           -Campaigning
               -Wallace family
                    -Brother-in-law
                    -Mother
                    -Wife
               -The President's actions
                    -Publicity
                           -John D. Ehrlichman and H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

     Manolo Sanchez
         -Condition
         -Fina Sanchez
         -Forthcoming trip to Key Biscayne
               -The President’s trip to the Soviet Union
               -Medical care
                    -Charles G. (“Bebe”) Rebozo
               -The President’s view

     Lukash's location

     Wallace's location
          -Holy Cross Hospital
          -Cornelia Wallace
          -Possible transfer to Bethesda Naval Hospital
                -The President’s offer

     Secret Service agent
          -Condition
          -Location
                -Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital

     George C. Wallace's location
         -The President’s offer
               -Publicity
                    -Ronald L. Ziegler
Transcript

No transcript is available for this conversation. The audio may not contain audible speech, or the recording may not yet have been processed.

← 024-139024-141 →