Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 548
Nixon White House Tape 548 (July 27, 1971)
12 conversations · Oval Office · about 2 hr 9 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, White House photographer, Butterfield, Kissinger
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to finalize logistical arrangements for an upcoming meeting involving Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and Secretary of State William P. Rogers. The primary discussion focused on the seating arrangement for National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger to ensure his presence during the sensitive policy consultation. No major policy decisions were made, as the exchange was strictly limited to administrative planning and protocol for the group session.
President Nixon held a brief, unscheduled meeting in the Oval Office with Henry A. Kissinger. While the specific nature of their discussion remains undocumented due to the absence of a transcript, the encounter took place during a critical period of foreign policy activity. This meeting highlights the frequent, informal consultations between the President and his National Security Advisor regarding ongoing administrative priorities.
President Nixon and Henry Kissinger met to coordinate strategy for an upcoming press conference, focusing on managing public and political expectations regarding the administration's foreign policy initiatives. They discussed the timing of Nixon's summit in the People's Republic of China, emphasizing the need for favorable weather and political leverage, as well as the progress of Vietnam peace negotiations. Additionally, they reviewed domestic political concerns, including the 1972 election landscape, the impact of the Pentagon Papers, and the necessity of maintaining a firm stance against leaks and political opponents.
President Nixon met with Congressman Edward B. Biester, Jr. and a delegation from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to accept a local tourist guide. The brief encounter focused on pleasantries, the presentation of regional materials, and a reciprocal exchange of presidential gifts. The session concluded with light conversation regarding travel in the region and mutual well-wishes.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified individual in the Oval Office to exchange a presidential gift. Following the brief interaction, the guest departed immediately. No substantive policy matters or official developments were recorded during this exchange.
President Nixon met with Congressman Durward G. "Doc" Hall, his wife, and Melanie Ellison for a brief social call centered on Missouri's 150th anniversary. During the meeting, Hall presented the President with a commemorative plaque and discussed various mementos, including Eisenhower silver dollars. The group also touched upon Missouri state politics, specifically concerning the gubernatorial race and the support for candidate Marion G. Bennett.
President Nixon met with Representative William J. "Jack" Edwards to review commemorative materials from a recent trip to Mobile, Alabama, including photographs and a medal. The discussion transitioned into domestic political matters, specifically revenue sharing and the activities of various governors, including Jimmy Carter and George Wallace. Additionally, the participants touched upon the broader context of U.S. foreign policy and the significance of the President’s geopolitical strategy.
Senator John G. Tower and Howard Payne University President Guy D. Newman met with President Nixon for a brief, ceremonial visit that included the presentation of a university medallion and an honorary gift. The discussion quickly shifted to substantive legislative strategy regarding the pending Lockheed loan guarantee bill. Senator Tower briefed the President on the precarious vote count for cloture, outlining his plan to persist with further petitions if the initial vote failed.
President Nixon met with Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. and Paul Calley in the Oval Office for a brief, informal courtesy visit. The discussion centered on a NASA commemorative stamp featuring the Apollo moon landing, with the group sharing anecdotes about the mission and the lunar rover. Additionally, Weicker commended the President’s recent foreign policy initiatives, specifically praising the administration's strategic outlook regarding China. The meeting concluded with brief personal exchanges before Nixon transitioned to administrative scheduling with Stephen B. Bull.
President Nixon met with Representative Otto E. Passman and William E. Timmons to discuss political support, upcoming drug abuse conferences, and foreign aid legislation. Passman pledged his loyalty and legislative assistance to the President while expressing his intent to significantly reduce foreign assistance funding, particularly regarding international organizations and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. The participants also touched upon the President's diplomatic outreach to the People's Republic of China and the ongoing status of the Vietnam War and prisoner of war issues.
President Nixon met with John Ehrlichman and William Magruder to discuss the deteriorating competitiveness of the U.S. aviation and high-technology industries. The participants examined why the U.S. lost its lead in the Supersonic Transport (SST) market and how international competitors, particularly in Europe and Japan, use state-backed subsidies and strategic planning to capture global market share. Nixon expressed deep frustration over the decline of American manufacturing and the potential for a long-term “brain drain,” eventually tasking Magruder and his staff to develop a comprehensive national strategy for technology, tax incentives, and export subsidies to reverse these trends.
United States Secret Service agents convened in the Oval Office to discuss unspecified operational matters. The recording consists entirely of unintelligible audio, preventing a determination of specific topics or actionable decisions. The session was abruptly terminated shortly after it began, leaving no substantive record for historical analysis.