The President of the United States Meets the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Aftermath

This exhibit looks behind the scenes at Elvis Presley’s December 21, 1970, visit to Richard Nixon’s White House through the examination of White House memos, documents, firsthand accounts, and photographs. This exhibit was curated by White House Historical Association historian Lina Mann.

Following the meeting, Bud Krogh accompanied the trio out of the Oval Office and took the group to lunch in the West Wing’s Navy Mess. Elvis dressed in a purple suit, was met with shocked stares from other staff members. According to Krogh, “Even though the White House staff members were accustomed to seeing heads of state, athletic champions, and movie stars, Elvis was still the King to many of them and in a class of royalty by himself. They all gaped.”

Gallery

This photograph of the Navy Mess was taken by Lawrence Jackson on June 25, 2009. Operated by the United States Navy, the Navy Mess is located near the Situation Room in the West Wing and serves as a cafeteria and restaurant for White House staff.

Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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After lunch, at 2:00 p.m. the group headed back to Bud Krogh’s office in the Old Executive Office Building and BNDD Deputy Director John Finlator arrived with badge a badge in hand for Presley. Finlator presented Presley with the badge. With that Presley, West, and Schilling departed, concluding their extraordinary White House visit. Although efforts were made to conceal the meeting at Presley’s request, word eventually got out. On January 27, 1972, Washington Post reporter Jack Anderson detailed the visit in an article titled “Presley Gets Narcotics Bureau Badge.” In response to the Washington Post article, Bud Krogh wrote up this memo, detailing the events of the meeting.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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Both Presley and President Nixon remembered their unusual meeting positively. On December 31, 1970, President Nixon sent a letter thanking Presley for the commemorative World War II Colt .45 pistol and family photographs. Today, the pistol remains within the holdings of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, while Presley’s Memphis estate, Graceland, houses his BNDD badge.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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