Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 619 › Conversation 619-019

Nixon, Smith & Kissinger on Political criticism and Public relations

Tuesday, November 16, 1971 · 12:18 PM–12:20 PM ET · Oval Office · 1 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Smith, K. Wayne (Dr.); Kissinger, Henry A.; White House photographerConversation619-019 on Tape 619 (tape position 02:18:57–02:20:17)StartTuesday, November 16, 1971 at 12:18 PMEndTuesday, November 16, 1971 at 12:20 PMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 619-019 ↗ · National Archives Catalog, NAID 417179841 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon met with Dr. K. Wayne Smith and Henry Kissinger, primarily to facilitate a photo session and present gifts to Smith in recognition of his service. During the brief exchange, Nixon expressed appreciation for the papers and work produced by Smith’s office. The President also briefly alluded to political criticism from his 'right-wing friends' regarding Kissinger, advising him not to comment on such detractors.

Audio

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NARA Description

On November 16, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Dr. K. Wayne Smith, Henry A. Kissinger, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:18 pm to 12:20 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 619-019 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 619-19

Date: November 16, 1971
Time: 12:18 pm - 12:20 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with K. Wayne Smith and Henry A. Kissinger; the White House photographer
was present at the beginning of the meeting.

     [Photograph session]

     Smith's work
          -Papers

     Presentation of gifts by the President

     Kissinger [?]
          -Right-wing view

Smith and Kissinger left at 12:20 pm.

Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yes, I mean, as I know, we didn't all get here, so we got a proper recording of this for you, the family, etc.
It's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's,
That's just your office, but I just wanted to tell you that these papers and everything I held and how much all of you put in, you know, I'm all scripted.
Well, it's been like the only way to office where they have stuff to work.
Something's going to work one of these days.
I mean, some of it's been working all day.
It better work.
It better work.
Now, they ought to be able to leave as long as they're president of South Mexico.
Thank you, sir.
But, uh, every guy around here should not be consulted.
I've been reading about, you know, some of my right-wing friends, and they say he's a very, very insidious monster out there.
Don't comment.
You get some good advice, right?
Okay.

Also recorded on November 16, 1971

  • 619-017 12:15 PM · 18 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:15 pm and 12:16 pm.
  • 619-030 12:15 PM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:15 pm and 12:16 pm.
  • 619-018 12:16 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, James D. Hittle, John V. Brennan, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:16 pm to 12:18 pm.
  • 619-020 12:20 PM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:20 pm.
  • 619-021 12:20 PM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Kenneth M. Smith, Patrick J. Buchanan, Lyndon K. Allin, Stephen B. Bull, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:20 pm to 12:22 pm.
  • 619-022 12:22 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:22 pm.
  • 619-023 12:22 PM · 4 min — President Richard M. Nixon, John H. Hogue, William E. Timmons, Clark MacGregor, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:22 pm to 12:25 pm.
  • 619-024 12:25 PM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:25 pm.

All 77 conversations from November 16, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 619-019, November 16, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives (NAID 417179841). Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/619-019 (accessed November 1, 2026).