Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 555
Nixon White House Tape 555 (August 5, 1971 – August 6, 1971)
19 conversations · Oval Office · about 4 hr 19 min of released audio
Featuring Nixon, Bull, Butterfield, Haldeman, Woods
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and H. R. Haldeman met to coordinate communication strategies and manage relations with various political factions and the media. Key discussions focused on neutralizing conservative opposition to the Administration's foreign policy—specifically regarding China and defense budget concerns—and crafting a narrative that prioritized the President's foreign policy successes over economic criticisms. The group also evaluated the impact of recent presidential trips on public opinion and planned upcoming public relations efforts to highlight legislative inaction by Congress and address the ongoing debate over the Pentagon Papers.
President Nixon met with an individual identified as Steven Baker to provide specific instructions regarding an upcoming photography session. The discussion focused on the logistics and management of the event to ensure the President's requirements were met. No other business was recorded during this brief encounter.
President Nixon met with members of the Cabinet Committee on Opportunities for the Spanish Speaking (CCOSS) to discuss the administration's commitment to addressing the needs of the Hispanic community. Nixon expressed frustration that federal minority efforts had focused disproportionately on Black Americans, emphasizing that the Spanish-speaking community required better organization, advocacy, and representation in government. He tasked Dr. Henry M. Ramirez with aggressively pursuing progress in areas such as job creation, business opportunities, and discrimination, while encouraging the committee to integrate their efforts into the White House Domestic Council to ensure their influence within the mainstream political structure.
President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate the President's upcoming schedule and manage logistical priorities. The discussion centered on adjusting congressional engagements and handling specific meeting requests, including a prior appointment involving Maurice H. Stans. The exchange concluded with the President directing Butterfield to proceed with these administrative arrangements.
President Nixon held a series of brief, informal meetings in the Oval Office with various members of Congress and constituent groups. The sessions were largely ceremonial, involving a bill-signing for veterans' loans, the presentation of a Gideons International Bible, and the reception of commemorative gifts including artwork and presidential keepsakes. These interactions served as photo opportunities and constituent relations, allowing the President to engage with representatives and their guests on topics ranging from local history to personal anecdotes.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Charles Colson to discuss the administration's political and public relations strategy, focusing specifically on managing economic perceptions and highlighting foreign policy achievements. The participants critiqued the current distribution of economic talking points to Cabinet members and Congress, resolving to push for more aggressive, simplified communication to counter negative media narratives. Additionally, they reviewed scheduling logistics for upcoming presidential trips to New York, Illinois, and the American West, emphasizing the need for carefully orchestrated events that maximize positive media exposure.
President Nixon, Alexander Butterfield, and Stephen Bull met to coordinate the distribution of an economic fact sheet to Cabinet members. They discussed administrative logistics and timelines regarding these materials, specifically noting the roles of Charles Colson and Secretary John A. Volpe. The discussion focused on ensuring consistent communication of economic statistics across the administration to avoid redundancy or conflicting statements.
President Nixon met with his aide, Stephen B. Bull, to briefly discuss administrative logistics regarding the President's upcoming schedule. The primary focus of the discussion concerned the coordination and arrival of Treasury Secretary John B. Connally for a forthcoming meeting. Bull received instructions to facilitate the entry of the Secretary and related materials into the Oval Office.
President Nixon met with his economic advisors and cabinet members to weigh the political and economic implications of raising FHA interest rate ceilings. The participants debated whether to maintain the current 7% rate with increased subsidies or raise it to 7.75% to reflect market realities, ultimately deciding to hold the current rate for 60 days while utilizing the 'tandem plan' and other legislative avenues to support housing starts. Additionally, the President instructed his team to aggressively manage their public narrative regarding the economy, specifically directing them to challenge the press and administration critics by focusing on positive economic indicators and the President's personal involvement in fiscal policy.
President Nixon met with Senator James L. Buckley and Attorney General John N. Mitchell to discuss the administration’s foreign policy, specifically ongoing developments regarding the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. Nixon emphasized his commitment to maintaining a strong national defense, detailing his efforts to secure congressional support for military hardware, including the ABM system and naval modernization, despite resistance from Democrats. The participants discussed strategies to leverage conservative support for defense spending while countering potential budget cuts proposed by political rivals in the lead-up to the 1972 election. Nixon proposed arranging a private briefing for influential conservatives to provide them with the strategic data necessary to advocate for his defense priorities.
President Nixon consulted with United States Secret Service agents regarding logistical arrangements for his upcoming schedule in the Cabinet Room. The brief discussion focused on security protocols for the President's movement and positioning within the room. Following these instructions, the agents departed the Oval Office to implement the requested security measures.
President Nixon met with Stephen B. Bull and H. R. Haldeman to review logistics for upcoming White House events, specifically a meeting with farm editors and various gift distributions. The President expressed frustration regarding an overly packed daily schedule, emphasizing the need for better pacing to avoid exhaustion and ensure productive engagements. Consequently, he instructed his staff to tighten the flow of meetings and streamline future scheduling to provide more breathing room at the end of the day.
President Nixon utilized this time to dictate several administrative tasks, including a memorandum to John C. Whitaker regarding a report on cloud seeding for a recent farm editors meeting. Additionally, he dictated personal letters of appreciation to performers Ruby Keeler and Bobby Van following their recent interactions with the First Family. The President also dictated a note to J. Willard Marriott to express gratitude for the hospitality provided during the Nixon family's stay at the Essex House.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and Henry Kissinger to dictate several administrative memoranda regarding personal outreach and regional intelligence. He directed a congratulatory message to be sent to baseball player Harmon Killebrew and requested communication with Billy Graham. Additionally, Nixon addressed a missionary report concerning tribal irregular forces in Laos, highlighting their strategic importance in countering communist influence in Southeast Asia.
President Nixon and his personal secretary, Rose Mary Woods, engaged in an informal administrative session regarding scheduling and logistical details. The discussion focused on coordinating upcoming activities, including the arrangement of a family portrait session featuring David Eisenhower. These interactions served to manage the President's personal engagements and photographic record-keeping.
President Nixon met with Rose Mary Woods and Jim Brown to dictate personal correspondence following recent public appearances. He directed Woods to draft an encouraging letter and send an autographed portrait to a young boy who presented him with a drawing during an Iowa dam dedication. Additionally, Nixon dictated a congratulatory note to football legend Jim Brown, commending his recent induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and his dedication to his community.
President Nixon consulted with the White House operator to facilitate communication with external political figures. He specifically requested that a call be placed to Representative Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery. This interaction highlights the President's reliance on administrative staff to manage his direct outreach to members of Congress.
Secret Service agents gathered in the Oval Office to discuss unspecified security or administrative arrangements. The recording consists almost entirely of ambient room noise and muffled, unintelligible dialogue. No substantive policy decisions or clear directives were captured during this brief exchange.
President Nixon and Press Secretary Ronald L. Ziegler met briefly in the Oval Office to coordinate strategy ahead of a forthcoming press briefing. Given the extremely short duration of the recorded segment, the discussion focused on preparing public messaging. No definitive policy decisions were captured before the recording ended.