Conversation 042-086

TapeTape 42StartTuesday, May 4, 1971 at 1:12 PMEndTuesday, May 4, 1971 at 1:13 PMTape start time02:22:16Tape end time02:23:09ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Macomber, William B., Jr.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone

On May 4, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and William B. Macomber, Jr. talked on the telephone from 1:12 pm to 1:13 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 042-086 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 42-86

Date: May 4, 1971
Time: 1:12 pm - 1:13 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with William B. Macomber, Jr.

[See Conversation No. 251-51]

[A transcript of the following portion of this conversation was prepared under court order from
December 1978 through March 1979 for Special Access 8, Ronald V. Dellums, et al. v. James M.
Powell, et al., No. 71-2271. The National Archives and Records Administration produced this
transcript. The National Archives does not guarantee its accuracy.]

[End of transcript]

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.
Mr. McComber, Mr. President.
Hello.
Mr. President.
Bill, I just wanted you to know that I thought that was a fine job you did yesterday in grabbing that flag when these people tried to take it down.
Thank God, Mr. President.
How nice of you to call.
Well, I know that all the heat people take around town, but you know that these gestures mean something, and
In fact, you walked out there and grabbed it.
I think that was just great.
Well, Mr. President, I...
I hope you didn't get scarred up.
Oh, no, no.
They're not very brave.
They faded.
They faded.
I think really that you're right, that they're not interested in the fight.
They just want to do damage and let people run away.
That's right.
Mr. President, there were a couple of older guards that were charging out there with me, and they went right into it themselves.
Well, you tell them I called and thank them, too, will you?
I sure will, Mr. President.
Fine, Bill.
Thank you for calling, sir.