Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: When Elvis Met Nixon
Mar 27, 2019
Discover the wild encounter when Elvis Presley met President Nixon in a bid to tackle the drug trade. This unexpected meeting is laced with chaos and humor, as Elvis, in his quest for recognition as a federal agent, amusingly gifted Nixon a Colt .45. Dive into Elvis's contradictory relationship with addiction and the cultural significance of their bizarre interaction. This iconic moment was captured in photos that later intrigued the public, highlighting two vastly different figures in a tumultuous time.
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Elvis's Impulsive Trips
- Elvis flew to Washington D.C. on a whim after a Christmas fight with his family.
- He then spontaneously decided to fly to L.A., asking his friend Jerry Schilling to pick him up.
Elvis's Letter to Nixon
- On his flight back to D.C., Elvis wrote a letter to President Nixon expressing his desire to help the country and receive federal agent credentials.
- He hand-delivered the letter to the White House gate at 6:30 a.m.
The Meeting and the Gift
- Nixon's aide, Bud Krogh, saw the meeting as a chance to boost Nixon's image.
- Elvis arrived at the White House at noon, bearing a Colt .45 as a gift for the president.