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Conversation 456-002

TapeTape 456StartTuesday, February 23, 1971 at 9:42 AMEndTuesday, February 23, 1971 at 9:44 AMTape start time00:02:10Tape end time00:04:39ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler discuss strategies for managing press coverage regarding the Vietnam War and recent media reporting. Nixon directs Ziegler to emphasize that South Vietnamese military operations are facilitating American troop withdrawals and ultimately saving U.S. lives. The two align on a messaging approach to counter critical Washington Post coverage by consistently referring reporters back to the administration’s established position on the war effort.

Vietnam WarPress relationsAmerican troop withdrawalWhite House messagingMilitary operations
AudioNARA Description

On February 23, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:42 am to 9:44 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 456-002 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 456-2

Date: February 23, 1971
Time: 9:42 am - 9:44 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Ronald L. Ziegler
[Recording begins while the conversation is in progress]

     Press
             -Vietnam
                  -Reporting
                  -Ziegler’s comments to press
                       -President’s position
                  -Washington Post article

                 -Reporting of war

Ziegler left at 9:44 am
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

They all try to get a new lead that we were announcing something.
And he suggested that the next time that they ask you something, why don't you just go back to them?
I said, they're, this is, they have to fight here.
Just say, that's the best answer to the question.
You know what I mean?
Just, I know they won't like that.
I know they're not going to store it.
You see, I think that is what we're really going to say.
Well, we've covered that.
As the President said, ban it, right?
Put it back.
In fact, he had said he was actually, if you look at it, we've said it here in Spain, we've said it, right?
You see, I'm wrong on this one.
Go ahead.
What is it?
Well, about the reporting of the secret of the war.
That's what I'll tell you.
I think you've got a pretty good idea of what this is going to be.
I'll tell the next four, tell these guys to meet, tell these guys to point out this fact that South Vietnamese, by what they are doing, that they are fighting, that they are completely killing Americans.
And that's this fall as we withdraw.
This is saving American lives.
Saving American lives.
Very good.
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