Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 46 › Conversation 046-017

Nixon phone call with Haig on Watergate and Public relations strategy

Friday, May 11, 1973 · 3:21 PM–3:22 PM ET · White House Telephone · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Conversation046-017 on Tape 46StartFriday, May 11, 1973 at 3:21 PMEndFriday, May 11, 1973 at 3:22 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 046-017 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon directs Alexander Haig to prioritize the urgent location of a specific document, insisting that his staff conduct a comprehensive search of the White House. Emphasizing a shift toward a public relations strategy, Nixon instructs Haig to leak the document to the press before it is submitted to the judge handling the case. This exchange highlights the administration’s focus on controlling the public narrative regarding Watergate-related materials.

Audio

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NARA Description

On May 11, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 3:21 pm to 3:22 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-017 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 46-17

Date: May 11, 1973
Time: 3:21 pm - 3:22 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

[See also Conversation No. 434-30]

     Watergate
          -Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] files
               -Lawrence M. Higby
                     -Tod R. Hullin
                     -Rose Mary Woods
               -Need for public relations
                     -Leaks

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Al.
Yes, sir.
As soon as you find that document, I want you to bring it over.
I want to look at it.
Good.
You haven't found it yet?
No, sir.
God damn it, it's someplace in this house because it's supposed to be under lock and key someplace.
Who are you in touch with?
Helen or...
Yes, Larry's been checking Helen and Rose and— So she doesn't have anything?
Yeah, the girl that had the big ball, they're checking her.
Fine.
Okay.
All right.
But just make a crash search, because I think I may want to leak it today.
Okay.
Let me tell you, the whole game here now, which you've got to realize, which you and I haven't played much before—
It's all PR now.
Now, God damn it, instead of sending it out to that judge, let him sit on it for a week.
I'd put it out.
No, we can be sure that it gets out at the same time.
No, but I mean... Not at the same time.
Get it out before he gets it.
Before he gets it.
You're goddamn right, Sue.
That's right.
It leaks, and then he gets it.
Okay.
Good, sir.
Right.

Also recorded on May 11, 1973

  • 046-015 3:07 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 3:07 pm to 3:08 pm.
  • 434-028 3:07 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:07 pm to 3:08 pm.
  • 046-016 3:08 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:08 pm and 3:15 pm.
  • 434-029 3:08 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 3:08 pm and 3:21 pm.
  • 434-030 3:21 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:21 pm to 3:22 pm.
  • 434-031 3:22 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 3:22 pm and 3:35 pm.
  • 434-032 3:22 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon, unknown person(s), Earl L. Butz, Dana G. Mead, William W. Erwin, David A. Hamil, Stephen B. Bull, Thomas Hart, and White House photographer met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 3:22 pm and 3:40 pm.
  • 046-018 3:40 PM · 44 sec — Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone from 3:40 pm to 3:41 pm.

All 78 conversations from May 11, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 046-017, May 11, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/046-017 (accessed November 15, 2026).