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Conversation 034-049

TapeTape 34StartMonday, December 11, 1972 at 7:49 PMEndMonday, December 11, 1972 at 7:50 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon expressed intense frustration to Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler regarding the presence of Washington Post reporters at the White House Christmas tree display. Reasserting a previous ban on the newspaper's staff, the President ordered Ziegler to contact Connie Stuart to demand an explanation for the breach and to threaten her with immediate termination should such an unauthorized access occur again. Ziegler was instructed to verify the situation and report back to the President promptly.

Richard M. NixonRonald L. ZieglerWashington PostPress relationsWhite House personnelMedia access
AudioNARA Description

On December 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 7:49 pm to 7:50 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 034-049 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 34-49

Date: December 11, 1972
Time: 7:49 pm - 7:50 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

       Press relations
             -Constance M. (Cornell) (“Connie”) Stuart
             -Washington Post reporters
                    -Christmas tree
                    -Ziegler’s forthcoming call to Stuart
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello.
Yes, sir.
Hi, Ron.
I don't want to bother you, but I just want to be sure you got ahold of Connie and got her straightened out for tomorrow.
Today, there were four people from the Washington Post looking at the Christmas tree.
I had given an order, which you may recall quite clearly, that nobody in the Washington Post was ever to be in this house again.
And, you know, I want to enforce, I want you to call Connie, call me back, ask her why they were there, and tell her if there's ever anybody that's there, her ass is out in five minutes.
Okay?
Okay, fine.
Thank you, sir.
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