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Conversation 046-096

TapeTape 46StartThursday, May 17, 1973 at 3:05 PMEndThursday, May 17, 1973 at 3:06 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Ronald Ziegler discussed efforts to verify the medical history of Thomas F. Eagleton, specifically investigating potential records at Barnes Hospital and the Mayo Clinic. Ziegler confirmed that the administration had no involvement in the medical record searches, aiming to reassure J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr., who was concerned about possible leaks or exposure. Nixon instructed Ziegler to immediately relay these findings to Buzhardt to resolve his concerns.

Thomas F. EagletonJ. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.Medical recordsWhite House internal investigationsAdministration leaks
AudioNARA Description

On May 17, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Ronald L. Ziegler talked on the telephone from 3:05 pm to 3:06 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 046-096 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 46-96

Date: May 17, 1973
Time: 3:05 pm - 3:06 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Ronald L. Ziegler.
                                               -57-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                      (rev. January-2011)

[See also Conversation No. 438-12]

     Thomas F. Eagleton’s medical history
         -Psychiatrist’s office
         -Barnes hospital
               -St. Louis, Missouri
         -Mayo Clinic
         -President’s meeting with J. Fred Buzhardt, Jr.
         -Administration’s involvement
         -Location of office
               -St. Louis, Missouri
               -Mayo Clinic
               -New York

           -Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
           -News reports

     Ziegler’s forthcoming conversation with Howard K. Smith
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Yes, sir.
We were able to run down that side crack first thing.
Right, never.
It was Barnes and St. Louis and Mayo Clinic, nothing else.
Then this guy is a crack.
He must be, yes, sir.
I hope you've told that poor Buzzard then, because he was in, you know, raising hell for an hour this morning on this.
Tell him.
Well, I'll talk to him right now.
Yeah, tell him.
Okay, I'll call him.
Well, he was worried because, you know, he thought that some goddamn buggers or something had done something, you know.
But I thought we couldn't have been involved in this.
Mayo and St. Louis, right?
Right.
That's good.
Good to know.
If it was ever in New York, there's nowhere we can track it.
I know, I know.
As totally as we can.
No, no news reports, at least indicating that.
We've checked that very thoroughly, and then... Yeah, yeah.
Were you able to talk to Hardsmith?
Yeah, he's got a call in now.
Okay, fine.
Let me know when you call me back.
Yes, sir.
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