Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 238 › Conversation 238-011

Nixon phone call with Warren on Press relations and Vietnam War

Saturday, December 30, 1972 · 12:27 PM–12:29 PM ET · Camp David Hard Wire · 2 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Warren, Gerald L.Conversation238-011 on Tape 238StartSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:27 PMEndSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:29 PMRecording deviceCamp David Hard WireSourceNixon Library record for 238-011 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon met with Deputy Press Secretary Gerald L. Warren to commend his recent performance during a press briefing regarding Vietnam policy. The President emphasized the importance of maintaining an image of calm and determination in the face of media scrutiny, noting his frustration with Henry Kissinger's failure to adequately brief the press. Nixon concluded by expressing satisfaction with the briefing's impact on journalists and encouraged Warren to enjoy his evening.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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I just want you to know that, from all accounts, you did an excellent job in the briefing.
And I hope you felt it went well.
That was important.
You know, Henry didn't understand the necessity of it.
And I said, hell, this is too important to have it so we don't.
And I ended up just sitting down and talking quietly about all the questions.
Something Henry never does with Ron, unfortunately.
Did it, according to Scali, had re-stunned the reporters?
What was your reaction?
Yeah.
Great, great.
Well, they really want, deep down, these guys are patriots, and they want peace.
What the hell?
And I think deep down, they know that I do, too.
Have you had someone come in to see you afterwards?
What did you say?
Good, good.
Do you think that you've given him the feeling of the President being calm and decisive and determined?
I left Skelly getting that sort of stuff so that we can disavow it.
Right.
But he's all good about it.
Are they?
Good.
Well, that's a good job.
You can enjoy your dinner.
Right.

NARA Description

On December 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Gerald L. Warren met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 12:27 pm to 12:29 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 238-011 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 238-11

Date: December 30, 1972
Time: 12:27 pm - 12:29 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with Gerald L. Warren.

[See Conversation No. 158-49]
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                  NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Also recorded on December 30, 1972

  • 158-049 12:27 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Gerald L. Warren talked on the telephone at Camp David from 12:27 pm to 12:29 pm.
  • 158-050 12:29 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 12:29 pm.
  • 238-012 12:29 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at 12:29 pm.
  • 158-051 12:35 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Adm. Thomas H. Moorer talked on the telephone at Camp David from 12:35 pm to 12:37 pm.
  • 238-013 12:35 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Adm. Thomas H. Moorer met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 12:35 pm to 12:37 pm.
  • 158-052 12:37 PM · 16 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:37 pm and 12:38 pm.
  • 238-014 12:37 PM · 14 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David at an unknown time between 12:37 pm and 12:38 pm.
  • 158-053 12:38 PM · 23 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Camp David operator talked on the telephone at Camp David at 12:38 pm.

All 64 conversations from December 30, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 238-011, 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/238-011 (accessed October 11, 2026).