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.”