Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 131 › Conversation 131-016

Nixon phone call with Camp David Operator on Communication logistics

Wednesday, May 17, 1972 · 7:33 PM ET · Camp David Study Table ·6 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Camp David OperatorConversation131-016 onTape 131 (tape position 01:00:32–01:00:38)StartWednesday, May 17, 1972 at 7:33 PMEndWednesday, May 17, 1972 at 7:33 PMRecording deviceCamp David Study TableSourceNixon Library record for 131-016 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon initiated a telephone call through the Camp David operator to establish contact with his aide, Charles W. Colson. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to facilitate this communication. No further policy or strategic matters were discussed during this connection.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Thank you, Mr. President.

NARA Description

On May 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 7:33 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 131-016 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 131-16

Date: May 17, 1972
Time: 7:33 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with the Camp David operator.
[See also Conversation No. 190-7]

     Request for a call to Charles W. Colson

Also recorded on May 17, 1972

  • 190-006 6:40 PM · 10 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Beverly J. Kaye, and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 6:40 pm and 7:33 pm.
  • 131-017 7:33 PM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 7:33 pm and 7:44 pm.
  • 190-007 7:33 PM · 34 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 7:33 pm.
  • 190-008 7:33 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 7:33 pm and 7:44 pm.
  • 131-018 7:44 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 7:44 pm.
  • 190-009 7:44 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 7:44 pm.
  • 131-019 7:49 PM · 31 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at Camp David from 7:49 pm to 8:20 pm.
  • 190-010 7:49 PM · 10 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 7:49 pm and 8:20 pm.

All 63 conversations from May 17, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 131-016, May 17, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/131-016 (accessed September 18, 2026).