Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 440 › Conversation 440-039

Nixon & Arends on Political morale and Public policy

Thursday, May 24, 1973 · 1:39 PM–1:40 PM ET · Old Executive Office Building · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Arends, Leslie C.Conversation440-039 on Tape 440StartThursday, May 24, 1973 at 1:39 PMEndThursday, May 24, 1973 at 1:40 PMRecording deviceOld Executive Office BuildingSourceNixon Library record for 440-039 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Representative Leslie C. Arends briefly discussed the state of political morale and the importance of maintaining a firm stance regarding instances of intentional, brutal violence. Nixon emphasized the necessity of addressing such misconduct aggressively to ensure public support and effective leadership. The conversation concluded with an exchange of mutual resolve regarding their political strategy.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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doesn't mean much to them.
And whenever you think in the middle of the world, how is our morale today?
They're beginning to pick up.
That statement is getting around in the way they're reading, and I hope they are.
Right?
One point that ought to be made very strongly in this list that's very attractive to you when you have a situation where there's intentional brutal violence,
for you.
I've got no chance with you.
No soldier with you.
And these guys are going to be in that damn pig pen and hammer.
Get that as hard, will you?
Good.
Put her out of the water.
Thank you.
If you really come to a fight school, I think I'm done with you.
Okay.
Bye.
Thank you.

NARA Description

On May 24, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Leslie C. Arends met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:39 pm to 1:40 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 440-039 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 440-39

Date: May 24, 1973
Time: 1:39 pm - 1:40 pm
Location: Old Executive Office Building

The President talked with Leslie C. Arends.

[See Conversation No. 39-5]

Also recorded on May 24, 1973

  • 039-002 1:34 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at 1:34 pm.
  • 039-004 1:36 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Hugh Scott talked on the telephone from 1:36 pm to 1:38 pm.
  • 440-038 1:36 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Hugh Scott met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 1:36 pm to 1:38 pm.
  • 039-005 1:39 PM · 2 min — White House operator, President Richard M. Nixon, and Leslie C. Arends talked on the telephone from 1:39 pm to 1:40 pm.
  • 039-006 1:40 PM · 11 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 4:52 pm.
  • 440-040 1:40 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 2:26 pm.
  • 440-041 1:40 PM · 15 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 2:26 pm.
  • 440-042 1:40 PM · 3 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander M. Haig, Jr. met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 1:40 pm and 4:34 pm.

All 40 conversations from May 24, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 440-039, May 24, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/440-039 (accessed October 12, 2026).