Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 43 › Conversation 043-137

Nixon phone call with Freeman on Condolences and Personal relationships

Wednesday, February 21, 1973 · 9:27 AM–9:30 AM ET · White House Telephone · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Freeman, BenjaminConversation043-137 on Tape 43StartWednesday, February 21, 1973 at 9:27 AMEndWednesday, February 21, 1973 at 9:30 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 043-137 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon called Mrs. Benjamin Freeman to offer his personal condolences following the recent death of her husband, a longtime friend and the President’s former tailor. Nixon reflected on their two-decade relationship, emphasizing his deep personal affection for Freeman beyond their professional association. The President expressed his regret at being unable to attend the funeral services in person due to his duties, but he conveyed his support and sympathy to the surviving family.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.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. Freeman, sir.
Mr. President?
I just wanted you to know that Mrs. Nixon and I were thinking about you today, and that we, as you know, had a very great affection for Ben.
He's a wonderful man, and I know that you made his last years very, very happy.
Well, thank you very much, and I appreciate your kindness, and I know he would.
Well, he was a man, you know, I remember the time Jerry Persons introduced me to him about, oh, maybe almost 20 years ago.
here 15 years ago and i've been up to see him he's been down to see us and and uh he's he was far more than the one that saw that i was properly dressed he was a very good friend and that's that we cherish the friendship even more than the fact that they took care of the clothes i i didn't realize it and i do appreciate it so much that you are telling me this
Please thank Mrs. Nixon for me also.
Yes, and would you express our appreciation to other family and friends that are there and tell them that I'd like to be there by myself, but I can't get away right now.
But we're there in spirit with you today.
Thank you very, very much.
Thank you, Mr. Freeman.
Bye.
Bye.

NARA Description

On February 21, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Benjamin Freeman talked on the telephone from 9:27 am to 9:30 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 043-137 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 43-137

Date: February 21, 1973
Time: 9:27 am - 9:30 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Mrs. Benjamin Freeman.

[See Conversation No. 859-6]

*****************************************************************

[Previous PRMPA Personal Returnable (G) withdrawal reviewed under deed of gift during
chronological review 2007-2013]

       Condolences
           -Benjamin Freeman
           -Jerry Persons
           -Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon

*****************************************************************

Also recorded on February 21, 1973

  • 043-135 9:06 AM · 16 min — President Richard M. Nixon and William P. Rogers talked on the telephone from 9:06 am to 9:23 am.
  • 043-136 9:23 AM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:23 am and 9:27 am.
  • 859-004 9:23 AM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:23 am and 9:27 am.
  • 859-005 9:23 AM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 9:23 am and 9:27 am.
  • 859-006 9:27 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Linda Freeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:27 am to 9:30 am.
  • 859-007 9:31 AM · 12 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:31 am to 9:43 am.
  • 859-008 9:43 AM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:43 am to 9:44 am.
  • 859-009 9:44 AM · 10 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:44 am to 9:55 am.

All 88 conversations from February 21, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 043-137, February 21, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/043-137 (accessed October 11, 2026).