Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 46 › Conversation 046-118

Nixon phone call with Haig on Watergate and Executive Privilege

Friday, May 18, 1973 · 9:25 PM–9:28 PM ET · White House Telephone · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Haig, Alexander M., Jr.Conversation046-118 on Tape 46StartFriday, May 18, 1973 at 9:25 PMEndFriday, May 18, 1973 at 9:28 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 046-118 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander Haig discuss the strategic timing of a potential presidential televised address amidst the escalating Watergate scandal and upcoming Ervin Committee hearings. Nixon expresses concern that frequent appearances would diminish his authority, arguing that he should wait until indictments are finalized to provide a definitive, once-and-for-all statement. The two men agree to prioritize the release of a White Paper to establish the facts and provide supporters with a coherent narrative, while also debating whether Haig or Press Secretary Ron Ziegler should lead the briefings to maximize credibility.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Now, yes, I didn't want to bother you, but the thing I want you and Ron and the other boys to consider in terms of whether I go on is this.
If I go on right now, you know, yours and Ron's point, well, now this is the time to knock them out of the box, is a good point.
But on the other hand, these hearings are going to go on, and we don't know what the hell is going to come out.
And then I have to go on again.
You see my point?
Right, sir.
I just don't—when I go on, I want to go on when it's done.
I want to go on and, you know, I think there's a lot to be said.
The white paper, I totally agree with.
But you see, my going on national television, that should not be used in that way.
Or what do you think?
No, I agree with that.
I think what we've got to do now is—
is turn this goddamn thing so that the people who want to support you have something to rally with.
Well, that would require national television, but— No, no.
I mean, with a white paper, that's what they can work with, you see, sir.
It also does the advantage of taking off certain aspects of executive privilege selectively.
Yeah.
You having revealed it in a white paper, then these guys can—
can talk about certain things.
Right, right.
But you see, when I go on TV, I must go on once and for all and only, you see, or otherwise, you see, I've been on the 30th and I come on again, then I come on again, you know, and they'll say, Jesus Christ, the President, and there he's on again.
Shit, what the Christ is all is about, you see.
When I go on, it's got to be definitive and final.
And it can't be definitive and final now until Mitchell and all the rest are indicted.
Yes, sir.
That's my problem.
I don't know.
Well, I certainly agree with that.
And Ron does too.
What we need is something to get some facts out on the table and in perspective.
Right.
And especially the national security issue out and open.
Right.
So people know what they're over coping with here.
And I have in mind, though, the fact that you may have to do the briefing.
to the fact that there will be greater credibility than Ron doing it.
Right, sir.
Okay, bye.
Bye, Mr. Browning.

NARA Description

On May 18, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 9:25 pm to 9:28 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-118 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 46-118

Date: May 18, 1973
Time: 9:25 pm - 9:28 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

     Watergate
          -Huston Plan
               -White House reaction
                     -Possible Television [TV] appearance by President
                           -Ervin Committee hearings
                     -White Paper
                           -Executive privilege
                     -President’s TV appearances
                           -Forthcoming indictments
                     -Briefing
                           -Haig compared with Ronald L. Ziegler

Also recorded on May 19, 1973

  • 046-116 8:49 PM · 11 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. talked on the telephone from 8:49 pm to 9:06 pm.
  • 046-117 9:06 PM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 9:06 pm and 9:25 pm.
  • 923-001 10:03 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:03 am and 10:17 am.
  • 923-002 10:17 AM · 1 hr 9 min — Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Alexander P. Butterfield, and President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:17 am and 10:48 am.
  • 923-003 10:48 AM · 7 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Rose Mary Woods met in the Oval Office of the White House from 10:48 am to 10:54 am.
  • 923-004 10:54 AM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 10:54 am and 11:02 am.
  • 923-005 11:02 AM · 1 hr 39 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Ronald L. Ziegler, Stephen B. Bull, and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:02 am and 12:47 pm.
  • 923-006 11:48 AM · 54 sec — unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:48 am and 12:47 pm.

All 15 conversations from May 19, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 046-118, May 19, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/046-118 (accessed October 12, 2026).