Meeting Notes Memorandum on Elvis Presley’s Visit with President Nixon (Full Text)
This memorandum was written to President Richard M. Nixon by Egil “Bud” Krogh, an advisor to the president, on December 21, 1970. The memorandum detailed the meeting between President Nixon and American musician Elvis Presley. According to the memorandum, Nixon spoke with Presley about ways he could reach the nation’s youth through music. From there Presley remarked that The Beatles promoted anti-American themes. Although Nixon was surprised by the commentary, he attempted to maneuver the conversation back to ways Presley could help the administration. Presley noted that he had personally studied drug culture and was accepted by many Americans, including “the hippies.” He also asked President Nixon for a badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and the president agreed, although declining to appoint him an honorary agent.