Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 481
Nixon White House Tape 481 (April 17, 1971)
9 conversations · Oval Office · about 3 hr 43 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Haldeman, Lukash, Butterfield
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate an outgoing call. This interaction served a logistical purpose, as the President utilized the operator's services to establish a secure line for further communication. No substantive policy matters or political discussions were recorded during this brief exchange.
President Richard Nixon met with his personal physician, Dr. William M. Lukash, for a brief one-minute session in the Oval Office. Due to the withdrawal of the recorded segment as a personal returnable item, the specific substance of their medical consultation remains unavailable for public review. The meeting reflects routine executive health oversight during the Nixon administration.
President Nixon and H. R. Haldeman debriefed the President's appearance before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, focusing on the effectiveness of his responses regarding Vietnam, J. Edgar Hoover, and foreign relations with the People's Republic of China. The discussion also addressed the technical presentation of the event, including the use of a rostrum and the impact of the President's speaking style. Additionally, the participants coordinated preparations for an upcoming meeting involving Henry Kissinger and John A. Scali to further discuss diplomatic outreach to China.
President Nixon met with George Shultz and Peter Peterson to discuss personnel appointments and pressing foreign economic policy, specifically regarding trade negotiations with Japan and Southeast Asia. The group deliberated on the roles of various cabinet members, including David Kennedy and William Rogers, in coordinating trade strategy and managing the State Department's economic responsibilities. They also explored broader themes of U.S. economic competitiveness, the People's Republic of China initiative, and the necessity of preventing American isolationism in the post-Vietnam War era.
President Nixon met with Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger to discuss U.S. foreign policy toward the People's Republic of China (PRC). The President sought to use Mansfield as a private channel to gauge interest in a potential high-level visit to China, aiming to initiate a dialogue while maintaining a step-by-step approach regarding trade and travel restrictions. The participants emphasized the importance of conducting these overtures privately to avoid public rejection and to manage the delicate balance of power between the U.S., China, and the Soviet Union.
President Nixon met with H.R. Haldeman and Ronald Ziegler to review the success of his recent televised session with the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) and coordinate upcoming scheduling matters. They discussed the positive impact of his performance, specifically his handling of sensitive topics like J. Edgar Hoover and foreign policy, while also finalizing plans for visits from agricultural editors, the Jaycees, and various congressional loyalists. Additionally, the President decided to proceed with a meeting with the Building Trades Council executive committee, despite internal warnings regarding the group's opposition to his administration, as part of an effort to demonstrate leadership.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman, Henry Kissinger, and other staff members to discuss political messaging, media relations, and administrative strategy. A primary focus was neutralizing the political threat posed by Congressman Paul McCloskey, whose public dissent regarding U.S. operations in Southeast Asia and accusations of misconduct in Vietnam were causing friction. The group agreed to handle such dissent by having Congressional allies—rather than the White House—directly refute these claims to avoid elevating the critic's profile. Additionally, the President reviewed his public schedule, emphasizing the need to maintain a composed, energetic appearance to manage perceptions of his stamina and leadership.
Stephen B. Bull and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office, joined by an unidentified individual, to discuss logistical arrangements regarding forthcoming communications with Charles Rochester. The group also addressed administrative matters concerning office furnishings and coordination with the General Services Administration. The conversation concluded with a brief exchange regarding the setup and appearance of cultural election materials.
President Nixon met with Secret Service agents in the Oval Office to discuss internal security and logistics. The recording consists primarily of room noise and muffled dialogue, offering no substantive record of specific policy decisions or strategic instructions. Consequently, the interaction remains inconclusive regarding the primary objectives of the security detail's visit.