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Conversation 025-046

TapeTape 25StartMonday, June 12, 1972 at 9:56 AMEndMonday, June 12, 1972 at 9:58 AMTape start time02:14:38Tape end time02:17:05ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Lukash, William M.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted his physician, William M. Lukash, to receive a medical update on George C. Wallace following his recent assassination attempt. Lukash reported that while Wallace’s morale was improving and he was gaining weight, his paralysis appeared to be permanent and he continued to struggle with a localized infection. The President concluded the call by instructing Lukash to inform the Wallace family that he had inquired about the governor’s condition and expressed his support.

George C. WallaceMedical healthParalysisAssassination attemptPresidential communication
AudioNARA Description

On June 12, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and William M. Lukash talked on the telephone from 9:56 am to 9:58 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 025-046 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 25-46

Date: June 12, 1972
Time: 9:56-9:58 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with William M. Lukash.

[See Conversation No. 730-3B]

     George C. Wallace
         -Medical condition
         -Return to Alabama
         -Physical condition
         -Morale
               -Visitors
         -Return to Alabama
         -Physical condition
         -President's telephone call
Transcript (AI-Generated)

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.
What is the latest on Wallace at this time?
The doctor called me yesterday morning and he's been coming along.
The big problem has been nutrition.
He's starting to gain weight.
He's had several visitors.
Yeah, I've seen that in the papers.
His feeling is, in fact, the doctor would like to get him back to Alabama.
But he now feels so secure with his doctor and
whether it's politically expeditious for him to stay here, but he wants to stay here at Holy Cross.
And he's been taking visitors quite well.
There's one infection where he had one of the stomach drains that's still been a little bit of a problem.
But as far as that, it's a good chance that he could make
the convention in some weather you know probably in a wheelchair situation and with this infection they're a little hesitant to operate on that bullet and that'll be if they were to clear this little infection the bullet operation they feel would not be too much of a problem but as it stands now his morale is good and he's taking visitors and he's kind of locked in the
staying here in the area, rather.
Some of his political cronies, of course, in Alabama feel he should be coming back to Alabama, but he's become very dependent on the state.
What is the situation with regard to paralysis?
That looks like it's going to be pretty final at this stage.
He's got a little bit of muscle strength in the left hip.
The remainder of that leg and then the whole right hip and leg.
So the paralysis is just a fact.
Yes, sir.
And the question is, with the left upper hip and both hips handling braces, any little that he is retaining will help when it comes to the brace situation.
Any what?
Any little?
Any proximal, any upper muscle mantle help places on the paralyzed part.
Right, right.
Fine.
Let them know that I called with regard to his condition, you know?
Yes, sir.
I called Mrs. Wallace from time to time.
Fine.
You might give her a call.
Just say that I called today and was delighted to hear that he was making good progress.
Yes, sir.
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