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

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.

Elvis Presley’s letter to President Nixon soon made its way through the West Wing. Over the course of the next several hours, White House staff prepared, meeting with Presley, informing the president, and planning Nixon’s schedule. In addition to meeting with White House staff, Presley also met with staff at the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs and requested a badge from BNDD Deputy Director John Finlator, who ultimately denied the request. The singer collected law enforcement badges and ultimately sought a BNDD badge. His previous requests for a badge had been denied, but he hoped President Nixon could help him obtain one. According to his friend Jerry Schilling’s memoir, Me and a Guy named Elvis, Presley had a deep respect for law enforcement because they helped protect him during concerts and other events. He began collecting honorary badges from police departments. However, following a significant security threat in Las Vegas, Presley sought credentials that would allow him more protection. In particular, he sought a badge that would allow him to travel with the guns he felt were required for his personal safety. His wife Priscilla Presley also shed some light on this in her memoir, Elvis and Me: “The narc badge represented some kind of ultimate power to him. With the federal narcotics badge, he [believed he] could legally enter any country both wearing guns and carrying any drugs he wished."

Gallery

Deputy Assistant to the President Dwight L. Chapin wrote a memo to White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman detailing the request and encouraged Haldeman to persuade Nixon to take the meeting, noting that it “can be extremely beneficial for the President to build some rapport with Presley.”

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Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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Haldeman approved the meeting for the end of the president’s open hour that afternoon, although he wrote in the margin of the memo, “You must be kidding.”

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Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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Later that morning, Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs Egil “Bud” Krogh, Jr., invited Presley to his office on the second floor of the Old Executive Office Building, next to the White House. Elvis arrived at 10:10 a.m. along with his friend Jerry Schilling and bodyguard Sonny West. The group discussed ways Presley could assist the country’s youth through his music to tackle the nation’s drug problem. Once Krogh received word that Haldeman confirmed a meeting with President Nixon, he also informed Presley of the 12:30 p.m. meeting time.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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When Elvis arrived back to the White House around 11:45 a.m., an issue arose with Secret Service. According to Bud Krogh, he received a call from Secret Service agent Bill Duncan stating that Elvis Presley had arrived with a Colt .45 pistol in a display case with silver bullets to give to President Nixon as a gift. Although Secret Service did not allow Presley to take the gun into the Oval Office, citing security concerns, they accepted the gift on behalf of the president.

Richard M . Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley.

This is page one of two.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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This memorandum was written by members of President Richard M. Nixon’s staff to the president on December 21, 1970. The memorandum outlined a request by American musician Elvis Presley to meet with President Nixon that day, including talking points to discuss with Presley.

This is page two of two.

Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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