President Nixon instructed Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler to postpone his planned telephone call to John W. Dean, III. Nixon requested more time to consider the matter, noting that he would be unavailable when Dean returned his own earlier call. The President ultimately decided to delay the communication to evaluate his strategy regarding Dean during the unfolding Watergate scandal.
On April 26, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 6:49 pm to 6:50 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 045-020 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 45-20 Date: April 26, 1973 Time: 6:49 pm - 6:50 pm Location: White House Telephone The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler. [See also Conversation No. 431-9L] Ziegler’s forthcoming telephone call to John W. Dean, III
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.