Nixon's Perspectives on Homosexuality

A newly published book brings to light former President Richard Nixon's unexpected sentiments regarding women, homosexual individuals, and Henry Kissinger, as reported by Bill Plante, a senior White House correspondent for CBS News.

The book's authors meticulously examined three thousand seven hundred hours of audio recordings to unearth these significant details.

They present a leader whose viewpoints may strike many in contemporary times as outdated and offensive, though a few revelations offer a degree of surprise.

In April of 1971, Richard Nixon articulated his sympathetic stance towards the challenges faced by gay individuals.

"I consider myself the most accommodating person in this establishment," he declared. "They face a difficulty. It's an inherent aspect of their being; they are born that way, as you are aware. That is the entire matter. I believe that to be the case."

However, Nixon's capacity for tolerance did possess its boundaries.

"Leaders of organizations like the Boy Scouts, the YMCA, and similar groups, along with educators, steer individuals in that direction," Nixon stated. "Furthermore, if one examines the historical progression of civilizations, it becomes evident that certain highly intelligent figures—such as Oscar Wilde, Aristotle, and others of that ilk—were indeed homosexual. ... Once a society begins to move along that path, its inherent vigor diminishes."

During that same exchange, with his chief of staff, Bob Haldeman, and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger present, Nixon also articulated his views on women who used profanity.

"A man who is intoxicated or a man who swears—people tend to overlook such behavior, perhaps attributing it to a display of virility or some other such justification. We all engage in such actions; we all swear," he remarked. "However, if you introduce me to a woman who swears, I will readily identify her as an exceptionally unappealing individual."

These audio excerpts were made public by Vanity Fair, a publication that featured a selection from the forthcoming book, titled "The Nixon Tapes," authored by Douglas Brinkley and Luke Nichter.

One particular transcript indicates that Nixon harbored concerns about Kissinger, one of his closest confidants, becoming excessively involved in Middle Eastern policy due to Kissinger's Jewish heritage.

"Consider the situation from his vantage point," Nixon advised Haldeman. "Good heavens! You understand, his people endured immense suffering in that region. Merciful God! And five million of them were exterminated in ovens! What thoughts, in the name of all that is holy, must he be experiencing regarding all of this?"

Kissinger himself exhibited minimal empathy for the hardships encountered by Jews residing in the Soviet Union.

"Although I am of Jewish descent myself, on what grounds can we voice complaints about Soviet Jews?" Kissinger inquired of Nixon. "Frankly, it is not within our purview to comment on the manner in which they treat their populace."

Moreover, the president, who is credited with significantly improving relations with Communist China, found the Chinese people to be enigmatic.

"One can never accurately anticipate the behavior of the Chinese," he informed Kissinger. "This is due to their fundamental nature as Chinese, rather than their political affiliation as Communists. The Russians, conversely, are more predictable owing to their adherence to established doctrines."

These recordings have furnished profound insights into the daily operations within the Nixon White House. However, the profound irony lies in the fact that he envisioned this recording system as an instrument to aid in chronicling the history of his presidency. While the tapes have undeniably made history, they have done so in a manner far removed from Nixon's original intentions.