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When Elvis Met Nixon

When Elvis Met Nixon is an exhibit at the US National Archives detailing Elvis’ visit to the White House in 1970. The meeting was initiated by Elvis in a letter scrawled on American Airlines stationary, in which he asked the president to consider him for credentials as a federal agent in the war on drugs.

In the letter, Presley claims to “have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing where I can and will do the most good.”

In a memorandum outlining what was said at the meeting, Bud Krogh recalled, “Presley indicated that he thought the Beatles had been a real force for anti-American spirit. He said that the Beatles came to this country, made their money, and then returned to England where they promoted an anti-American theme. … The President then indicated that those who use drugs are also those in the vanguard of anti-American protest. Violence, drug usage, dissent, protest all seem to merge in generally the same group of young people.”

Presley goes on to mention his in-depth studying of Communist brainwashing and the drug culture for over ten years. “He mentioned that he knew a lot about this and was accepted by the hippies. He said he could go right into a group of young people or hippies and be accepted which he felt could be helpful tohim in his drug drive.”

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