Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 46 › Conversation 046-097
Nixon phone call with an unidentified caller on J. Fred Buzhardt Jr.
Thursday, May 17, 1973 · 3:06 PM–3:11 PM ET · White House Telephone · 12 sec
AI Summary
President Nixon initiates a telephone call through the White House operator to reach his legal counsel, J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr. The brief exchange serves as a logistical bridge to connect the President with his attorney amidst the unfolding Watergate investigations. No substantive policy matters are discussed, as the interaction is limited to facilitating this official communication.
- J. Fred Buzhardt Jr.
- White House legal counsel
- Watergate
- Presidential communications
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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.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 May 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:06 pm and 3:11 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-097 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-97
Date: May 17, 1973
Time: Unknown between 3:06 pm and 3:11 pm
Location: White House Telephone
The President talked with the White House operator.
[See also Conversation No. 438-14]
Telephone call to J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.Also recorded on May 17, 1973
- 046-096 3:05 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 3:05 pm to 3:06 pm.
- 438-012 3:05 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:05 pm to 3:06 pm.
- 438-013 3:06 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 3:06 pm and 3:11 pm.
- 438-014 3:06 PM · 10 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 3:06 pm and 3:11 pm.
- 046-098 3:11 PM · 5 min — President Richard M. Nixon, J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 3:11 pm to 3:16 pm.
- 438-015 3:11 PM · 29 min — President Richard M. Nixon, J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 3:11 pm to 3:43 pm.
- 046-099 3:43 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 3:43 pm and 3:53 pm.
- 438-016 3:43 PM · 55 sec — 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 3:43 pm and 3:53 pm.
Cite this conversation
Conversation 046-097, May 17, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/046-097 (accessed October 12, 2026).