Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 189 › Conversation 189-005

Nixon phone call with Lukash on George Wallace and Assassination attempt

Wednesday, May 17, 1972 · 9:44 AM–9:46 AM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Lukash, William M.Conversation189-005 on Tape 189 (tape position 00:19:29–00:21:42)StartWednesday, May 17, 1972 at 9:44 AMEndWednesday, May 17, 1972 at 9:46 AMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 189-005 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with his physician, Dr. William M. Lukash, regarding the medical prognosis of Governor George Wallace following his recent assassination attempt. Dr. Lukash advised that there was a high likelihood of paralysis, noting the unpredictability of Wallace's recovery. Nixon concluded the brief call by arranging to contact the governor later that day through the White House operator.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Oh, sure, sure.
Well, we won't.
We aren't going to say a word.
You just do it.
You just do it.
But the prognosis will matter for the time.
You can't tell.
But the possibility of some paralysis is very high.
Right, right.
Well, I'll probably not do it this morning, but I'll do it through the White House operator if you leave the number with her.
Good.
Thank you.

NARA Description

On May 17, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and William M. Lukash met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:44 am to 9:46 am. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 189-005 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 189-5

Date: May 17, 1972
Time: 9:44 am - 9:46 am
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with Dr. William M. Lukash..

     George C. Wallace
          -Prognosis
          -Call from President
                -White House operator

Also recorded on May 17, 1972

  • 189-001 9:14 AM · 8 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:14 am to 9:33 am.
  • 189-002 9:33 AM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:33 am and 9:34 am.
  • 189-003 9:34 AM · 6 min — President Richard M. Nixon and John B. Connally met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:34 am to 9:41 am.
  • 189-004 9:41 AM · 21 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:41 am and 9:44 am.
  • 189-006 9:48 AM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Julie Nixon Eisenhower met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:48 am to 9:51 am.
  • 189-007 9:51 AM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:51 am and 9:52 am.
  • 189-008 9:52 AM · 11 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:52 am to 10:06 am.
  • 189-009 10:06 AM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Beverly J. Kaye met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:06 am and 10:15 am.

All 63 conversations from May 17, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 189-005, 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/189-005 (accessed October 12, 2026).