Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 237 › Conversation 237-040

Nixon phone call with Johnson on Diplomatic negotiations and Vietnam War

Friday, December 29, 1972 · 7:02 PM–7:04 PM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Johnson, U. AlexisConversation237-040 on Tape 237StartFriday, December 29, 1972 at 7:02 PMEndFriday, December 29, 1972 at 7:04 PMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 237-040 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and U. Alexis Johnson briefly conferred regarding the status of sensitive diplomatic negotiations and communications following a period of intense conflict. Nixon expressed that the recent breakdown in talks left him with no alternative course of action, framing the situation as a necessary challenge compared to previous wartime escalations. The discussion focused on maintaining operational security to prevent information leaks, with Nixon confirming his personal involvement in managing key contacts.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yeah, as a matter of fact,
I called, as a matter of fact, I told Warren today, if he was there, that I'd been in touch with Ron Phil, which I have.
I talked to him on the phone three or four days ago, and he'll be fine.
But, uh, right, good, go ahead.
All right.
That's good.
That's good.
That's good.
Fine.
It's the only safe way because otherwise, otherwise it's going to break all over the place.
Right.
That's right.
That's good.
That's good.
Well, right.
Yes.
Well, it's a pretty rough Christmas, isn't it?
But I, you know, it was no decision.
It was much harder than me, you know, because then we had an invasion.
Now we only had a breakdown of negotiations.
But I don't know any other things we could have done.
Yes, they have.
That's right.
Very good.
Right.
Right.
Good.
Good.
Fine, Alex.
Fine.

NARA Description

On December 29, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and U. Alexis Johnson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 7:02 pm to 7:04 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 237-040 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 237-40

Date: December 29, 1972
Time: 7:02 pm - 7:04 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with U. Alexis Johnson.

[See Conversation No. 158-32]

Also recorded on December 30, 1972

  • 158-032 7:02 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and U. Alexis Johnson talked on the telephone at Camp David from 7:02 pm to 7:04 pm.
  • 158-033 7:10 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and [David] Kenneth Rush talked on the telephone at Camp David from 7:10 pm to 7:11 pm.
  • 237-041 7:10 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and [David] Kenneth Rush met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 7:10 pm to 7:11 pm.
  • 158-034 9:41 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:41 am and 9:53 am.
  • 237-042 9:41 AM · 28 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 9:41 am and 9:53 am.
  • 158-035 9:53 AM · 9 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone at Camp David from 9:53 am to 10:02 am.
  • 237-044 9:53 AM · 9 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 9:53 am to 10:02 am.
  • 158-036 10:02 AM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 10:02 am and 10:04 am.

All 64 conversations from December 30, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 237-040, December 30, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/237-040 (accessed October 11, 2026).