President Nixon Addresses Watergate and Other Issues at Disney World Press Conference (1973)

Nixon's Defense on Watergate and Missing Tapes

• 🗣️ President Nixon stated he takes responsibility for mistakes made during his administration and campaign, aiming to restore confidence in the White House.
• 🗓️ He explained the two missing White House tapes were discovered to not exist around September 29th or 30th, with confirmation on October 26th, attributing their absence to mechanical issues and the limited recording capacity of the system.
• 📝 Nixon provided details on alternative evidence for the missing tapes, including his own handwritten notes and a recorded conversation with John Dean.
• 🚫 He asserted he had no knowledge of the Watergate break-in before it occurred, never authorized the offer of clemency, and was informed about blackmail payments on March 13th, not March 21st as some testimony suggested.

Personal Finances and Tax Disclosures

• 💰 Nixon addressed reports about his low income tax payments in 1970 and 1971, explaining it was due to a deduction for his vice presidential papers, valued at $500,000, following advice from President Lyndon Johnson.
• 🏠 He clarified his real estate investments in San Clemente and Florida, stating he owned no stocks or blind trusts since becoming president and had earned significant income during his eight years out of office.
• ⚖️ He affirmed that he has never profited from public service and has never obstructed justice, welcoming examination of his finances.

Energy Crisis and Policy

• ⛽ Nixon acknowledged anticipating the energy crisis and sent the first energy message to Congress over two years prior, urging self-sufficiency.
• 💡 He outlined