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Conversation 046-164

TapeTape 46StartTuesday, May 22, 1973 at 8:08 PMEndTuesday, May 22, 1973 at 8:09 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon directs Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler to strategically leak information regarding the Daniel Ellsberg break-in to allies such as Hugh Scott and Strom Thurmond. The President emphasizes the necessity of releasing this information to shift the political narrative and intimidate his critics. He instructs Ziegler to characterize the forthcoming disclosure as part of a planned presidential action to ensure the material receives public and congressional attention.

Daniel EllsbergWatergate scandalCharles W. ColsonMedia strategyInformation leaksPolitical maneuvering
AudioNARA Description

On May 22, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 8:08 pm to 8:09 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-164 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-164

Date: May 22, 1973
Time: 8:08 pm - 8:09 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.

     Watergate
          -Daniel Ellsberg break-in
                                               -97-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      (rev. January-2011)

                 -Charles W. Colson
                 -Hugh Scott and Strom Thurmond
                 -White House statement
           -Release of wiretap information on newsmen
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Oh, yes, sir.
Ron, I was going to say to you that when the Ellsberg thing does get out, you know, and here's something where we do miss somebody around like Colson who had a little sense about this.
For God's sake, let Scott and a few others and Thurman and the rest have it.
Oh, sure.
Absolutely.
Okay.
Right.
You understand.
But it must get out.
No, it must get out.
And they'll move it up there then.
Fine.
Fine.
Yes, sir.
And after it moves there, I mean, but
mail them copies of the damn thing make their speeches about us and so forth and uh but the other thing the other story is very important i want these assholes to be a little bit afraid of what we're going to do you understand i i understand that's it and uh and i i would simply not at all you can put it with but just put her out that uh we're under great pressures the president plans to do it this weekend yeah we'll get that done okay okay
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