laphamsquarterly:

On this President’s Day, let us never forget the moment Nixon met Elvis. 

Presley indicated to the president in a very emotional manner that he was “on your side.” Presley kept repeating that he wanted to be helpful, that he wanted to restore some respect for the flag, which was being lost. He mentioned that he was just a poor boy from Tennessee who had gotten a lot from his country, which in some way he wanted to repay. He also mentioned he has been studying 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 to him in his drug drive. The president indicated again his concern that Presley retain his credibility.

After writing a six-page letter on American Airlines stationery asking for a meeting, Elvis visited Nixon at the White House on December 21, 1970. He gave the president a set of family photos and  commemorative WWII Colt .45 pistol.