Conversation 246-011

TapeTape 246StartWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 2:07 PMEndWednesday, April 7, 1971 at 2:11 PMTape start time03:16:28Tape end time03:19:47ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOld Executive Office Building

AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald Ziegler coordinated the messaging strategy regarding Lieutenant William L. Calley, Jr., specifically emphasizing the need to distance the administration from the prosecutor, Captain Aubrey M. Daniel, III. Nixon directed Ziegler to finalize technical preparations for his upcoming televised address, including strict instructions to edit the broadcast length to exactly 50 seconds. The President emphasized a concise media rollout, instructing Ziegler to prioritize visual impact and strictly manage the dissemination of the speech.

William L. Calley Jr.Public relationsAubrey M. Daniel IIITelevision addressMedia strategyExecutive authority

Audio

NARA Description

On April 7, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 2:07 pm to 2:11 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 246-011 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 246-011

Date: April 7, 1971
Time: 2:07 pm - 2:11 pm
Location: Executive Office Building

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler

     Lieutenant William L. Calley, Jr.
           -President’s policy
                -Prosecutor, Captain Aubrey M. Daniel, III

     President’s schedule
           -Forthcoming speech April 7, 1971

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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yeah.

I don't know.

Be sure you've got that tablet thing.

How'd it go?

I guess we'll get to the point where we come down to the side of the property.

We don't want to say that we're, you know, that's very bad.

It's the grace of the court, the grace of the prosecutor, the rest of us.

I don't want to do that.

I'm not going to do that.

And when I finish the broadcast, Ron, I want to cut the time down to the oldest part, which is 50 seconds.

And then take a picture that I'm on, and send it everywhere.

And then you just cut them off and go and smash the bottom up.

They're that long.

Screw them.

And then the broadcast is the same.

I'll see you then.

Thank you.

← 246-010 246-012 →