Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 46 › Conversation 046-147

Nixon phone call with Ziegler on Watergate and Republican Party

Tuesday, May 22, 1973 · 2:45 PM–2:46 PM ET · White House Telephone · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.Conversation046-147 on Tape 46StartTuesday, May 22, 1973 at 2:45 PMEndTuesday, May 22, 1973 at 2:46 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 046-147 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler discuss the broad dissemination of a forthcoming White House statement regarding the Watergate scandal. Nixon emphasizes the need to distribute the document not only to the press but also to an extensive list of 10,000 Republican leaders and chairmen. The two agree that the statement serves as an effective platform to counter negative media narratives, specifically those involving the Cuban fund.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Well, sir, I hate to bother you with details, but one thing you might follow up on, because I've got Al doing a couple of other things.
Right, he's here now.
Well, point one.
I want this mailed very broadly.
Yes, sir.
Now, that means not only to editors, but to all Republicans, you know, the list of 10,000 Republican chairmen and so forth and so on.
Right, right.
Leaders, et cetera, et cetera.
Yes, sir.
You know, we've got to, don't you think it's a good idea?
Yes, sir, to be done.
With a good cover thing, fine.
Incidentally, I think we're on the...
damn good statement as it's finally finished.
Oh, it's the next one.
Yes, sir.
Don't you think so?
I'll tell you the truth.
Not, Mr. President.
The absolute fact of my opinion is that it is an excellent platform to move from.
Well, raise questions.
I'll say, well, now, didn't he read the stories with regard to the Cuban fund to help the defendants and so forth?
You know, crap like that.
Of course I saw such stories.
I'd pay any goddamn attention to them.
Right.
But you can handle that, can't you?
Sure.
This is perfect.
All right, boss.
Start.
Bye.
We're really cranking.
Good.
Let's fight, sir.

NARA Description

On May 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 2:45 pm to 2:46 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-147 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 46-147

Date: May 22, 1973
Time: 2:45 pm - 2:46 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

[See also Conversation No. 440-5]

     Watergate
          -Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
          -Forthcoming White House statement on Watergate
                -Distribution

Also recorded on May 22, 1973

  • 046-146 2:44 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:44 pm and 2:45 pm.
  • 440-004 2:44 PM · 11 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 2:44 pm and 2:45 pm.
  • 440-005 2:45 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:45 pm to 2:46 pm.
  • 046-148 2:46 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:46 pm and 2:52 pm.
  • 440-006 2:46 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 2:46 pm and 2:52 pm.
  • 046-149 2:52 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 2:52 pm to 2:53 pm.
  • 440-007 2:52 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:52 pm to 2:53 pm.
  • 046-150 2:53 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 2:53 pm and 3:00 pm.

All 80 conversations from May 22, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 046-147, May 22, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/046-147 (accessed October 12, 2026).