Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 36 › Conversation 036-020
Nixon phone call with an unidentified caller on Henry Kissinger
Saturday, January 20, 1973 · 8:35 AM–9:32 AM ET · White House Telephone · 14 sec
AI Summary
President Nixon contacted the White House operator to initiate a telephone call to National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. This brief interaction served solely as a logistical request to establish communication with Kissinger. No substantive policy matters were discussed during this connection attempt.
Audio
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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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NARA Description
On January 20, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 8:35 am and 9:32 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 036-020 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 36-20
Date: January 20, 1973
Time: Unknown between 8:35 am and 9:32 am
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with the White House operator.
Request for a telephone call to Henry A. KissingerAlso recorded on January 20, 1973
- 036-019 1:46 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman talked on the telephone from 1:46 am to 1:49 am.
- 036-021 9:32 AM · 27 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 9:32 am to 9:59 am.
- 036-022 10:01 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:01 am.
- 036-023 10:01 AM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone from 10:01 am to 10:29 am.
- 036-025 10:01 AM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:01 am and 10:29 am.
- 036-024 10:29 AM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:29 am.
- 036-026 10:49 AM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 10:49 am and 4:35 pm.
- 036-015 12:21 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 12:21 pm and 12:49 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 036-020, January 20, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/036-020 (accessed October 11, 2026).