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Conversation 725-041

TapeTape 725StartTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 12:45 PMEndTuesday, May 16, 1972 at 12:45 PMTape start time03:53:36Tape end time03:54:25ParticipantsEhrlichman, John D.;  Ziegler, Ronald L.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

John D. Ehrlichman and Ronald L. Ziegler met to coordinate messaging strategy regarding the President's upcoming travel and public perception. They discussed managing speculation surrounding the President's motivations, particularly concerning political optics in Texas and the administration's strategic objectives. The discussion concluded with a focus on controlling the timing and effectiveness of public disclosures to maintain narrative consistency.

Public relationsMedia strategyPolitical messagingPresidential schedulingCrisis management
AudioNARA Description

On May 16, 1972, John D. Ehrlichman and Ronald L. Ziegler met in the Oval Office of the White House at 12:45 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 725-041 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 725-41

Date: May 16, 1972
Time: 12:45 pm
Location: Oval Office

John D. Ehrlichman met with Ronald L. Ziegler.

      The President’s schedule
           -Delivery of an unknown item

Ziegler left.
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

You've got a lot of, one thing that you could, that you could be, that I promise, and totally not now, is the idea, you know, that he's going back because of Texas, and he's going back because of the wall.
So, of course, you can trust us.
But you know that I am careful.
That's the stage that we talked about in December.
We talked about it.
I want that very, very effective.
Don't push it.
Sure.
Yeah.
So that's the theory that we go into.
This is something that we can read off a lot.
Why didn't you have that?
Well, you simply said there's going to be a lot of speculation about why the one leading the fact.
The plain truth of the matter is that I had you mentioned at some point in the discussion.
And that happens to be the fact.
So now, you know, I can't stop your speculation.
All I can say is it's true.
Hold on a little bit, President.
Would you like to...
First say a few words, and then I'll follow you in.
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