Never before-seen video shows two of America's most notorious presidents meet each other for first time
Newly released footage showed the moment two of Americas most notorious presidents - Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton - meet each other for the first time.
Newly released footage showed the moment two of Americas most notorious presidents - Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton - meet each other for the first time.
The two-minute clip, uploaded to YouTube by the Richard Nixon Foundation on Tuesday, revealed their interaction on March 8, 1993 - about a year before Nixon died of a stroke.
The video was initially recorded by the White House television unit while Clinton was in office, but it was never made public until now.
Both former presidents were involved in their own notable scandals, as Nixon became the first to ever resign from office amid the Watergate scandal, while Clinton was impeached for his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
In the video, Nixon, who was elected in 1968, was seen strolling into the White House as he smiled and waved at the photographer.
Moments later, Clinton, who was elected in 1992, walked toward Nixon with another photographer and officials.
Well hi, how are you?, Nixon asked Clinton as the two shook hands.
Im sorry Im late, I was on the phone with the Philippine president, Clinton said.
Newly released footage showed the moment two of Americas most notorious presidents - Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton - meet each other for the first time
The approximate two-minute clip revealed the very moment they met on March 8, 1993 - about a year before Nixon died of a stroke
Listen - Philippine president? They talk, Nixon replied as he laughed. I just learned it, Clinton quipped.
Well, Im delighted to see you - to meet you! I was thinking its strange we never met, Nixon told Clinton.
Its amazing, Clinton replied as Nixon chimed in: Youre too young! Clinton was just 46-years-old when he entered the White House.
He went on to tell Nixon that he actually saw him before, but didnt get a chance to say hello.
I had one chance to meet you, we were once in the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong at the same time. I was coming in and you were leaving, and I really wanted to but it didnt work out with your schedule, he told Nixon.
Is that right? Is that right?, Nixon replied.
Yes, I remember. I was governor of - in the late 70s, I think it was, Clinton said.
Thats right, and I was over there on the trip, thats right, Nixon stated.
In the video, Nixon, who was elected in 1968, was seen strolling into the White House as he smiled and waved at the photographer
The pair talked about how shocked they were that they never met before this, as Clinton told Nixon how they almost did in the 70s
Clinton then introduced Nixon to Bob McNeely, the chief official White House photographer from 1993 to 1998.
I was the first president he ever photographed when he was a young man working, Clinton said as Nixon took a stab at the former presidents age.
Is he that old?, Nixon said as everyone laughed.
Hes the first president that Im older than, McNeely told Nixon and she shook his hand.
The former presidents then made their way to another room as the video ended.
The Nixon Foundation said they decided to share the video on its page after the Clinton Library posted it.
We saw the video posted as new content on the YouTube channel of the Clinton Library. It was footage we had never seen before, so we shared it with our audience, said Carrie Anderson, a marketing project manager for the Nixon Foundation, told The Orange County Register.
The entire video, uploaded by Clintons Library YouTube channel showed not just Nixons meeting with the 42nd president that day, but him also greeting the House Budget Committee in the Cabinet Room
The Clinton Library processed the clip after submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in 2023.
A National Archives spokesperson said any member of the public can submit a FOIA request to gain access to the records and holdings of the National Archives, and requests are processed by archivists on a case-by-case basis.
The entire video, uploaded by Clintons Library YouTube channel showed not just Nixons meeting with the 42nd president that day, but him also greeting the House Budget Committee in the Cabinet Room.
The clip also featured the arrival of former French President François Mitterrand at the White House and the Congressional Black Caucus in the Roosevelt Room.
As of Thursday afternoon, the full video received more than 24,900 views, while the one of just Nixon and Clinton drew more 14,000 views in two days.