Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 34 › Conversation 034-050

Nixon phone call with Ziegler on Washington Post

Monday, December 11, 1972 · 7:54 PM–7:55 PM ET · White House Telephone · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.Conversation034-050 on Tape 34StartMonday, December 11, 1972 at 7:54 PMEndMonday, December 11, 1972 at 7:55 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 034-050 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon directs Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to implement a total ban on Washington Post reporters and photographers within the White House, excluding only formal press conferences. Nixon insists that the restriction apply to all events, including church services and activities involving First Lady Pat Nixon, and emphasizes that the order is absolute under threat of termination. The discussion follows a report from Connie Stuart regarding the absence of a Post reporter at a recent ceremony, prompting Nixon to enforce the directive immediately.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Hello.

Mrs. Ziegler, sir.

Hi.

How are you?

Hi, Ron.

Yes, Mr. President.

I just talked to Connie.

She fully understands the Washington Post situation.

There was no reporter today at the ceremony.

There was a photographer there, but apparently they screwed up on their desk assignment today, and there was no reporter present from the Post.

I want it clearly understood that from now on, ever,

no reporter from the Washington Post is ever to be in the White House.

Is that clear?

Absolutely.

Unless it's a press conference.

Yes, sir.

Briefings here, but— Not a briefing.

But never in the White House.

No church service.

Nothing that Mrs. Nixon does.

You tell Connie, don't tell Mrs. Nixon because she'll approve it.

No reporter from the Washington Post is ever to be in the White House again, and no photographer either.

No photographer, is that clear?

Yes, sir.

None ever to be in.

Now, that is a total order, and if necessary, I'll fire you.

You understand?

I do understand.

Okay.

All right.

Good.

Okay.

Thank you.

NARA Description

On December 11, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 7:54 pm to 7:55 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 034-050 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 34-50

Date: December 11, 1972
Time: 7:54 pm - 7:55 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

       Press relations
             -Washington Post reporters
             -Constance M. (Cornell) (“Connie”) Stuart
             -Photographer
             -White House
                    -Press conferences, briefings
                    -Church services

*****************************************************************
[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

                   -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]
*****************************************************************
                                              -45-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                                          Conversation No. 34-50 (cont’d)

                   -Photographers
                   -Ziegler’s tenure

Also recorded on December 12, 1972

034-049 7:49 PM · 44 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 7:49 pm to 7:50 pm.
820-001 9:50 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:50 am and 9:57 am.
820-002 9:50 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:50 am and 9:57 am.
820-003 9:50 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:50 am and 9:57 am.
820-025 9:50 AM · 36 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:50 am and 9:57 am.
820-026 9:50 AM · 7 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:50 am and 9:57 am.
034-051 9:57 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 9:57 am.
820-004 9:57 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at 9:57 am.

All 33 conversations from December 12, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 034-050, December 12, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/034-050 (accessed October 1, 2026).