Did Elvis and Nixon Meet at The White House?

In April 2016, Amazon Studios releases “Elvis and Nixon,” the dramatized story of the actual true circumstances surrounding the infamous meeting of “The King,” Elvis Presley and the sitting President of the United States Richard M. Nixon, in 1970.

“On a December morning in 1970, the King of Rock ‘n Roll showed up on the lawn of the White House to request a meeting with the most powerful man in the world, President Nixon. Starring Academy Award® nominee Michael Shannon as Elvis Presley and two-time Academy Award® winner Kevin Spacey as Richard Nixon, comes the untold true story [Elvis and Nixon] behind this revealing, yet humorous moment in the Oval Office forever immortalized in the most requested photograph in the National Archives.” — imdb.com

Elvis was born Elvis Aaron Presley (to Vernon and Gladys Presley) in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. He died at his famous Graceland home on August 16, 1977. He was only 42 years old*. In honor of what would have been his 72nd birthday on January 8th, 2007, the President Richard Nixon Library opened a free exhibit displaying items present at the famous meeting between the President and the King: A black velvet overcoat, a gold-plated belt and black leather boots; Nixon’s outfit (a gray woolen suit, tie and size 11 1/2 black shoes); letters; and a World War II .45-caliber Colt revolver that Elvis gave to Nixon. According to reports, Elvis went to the White House with his mind set on acquiring credentials and a badge, making him a “federal agent at large.”

“‘I will be here as long as it takes to get the credentials of a Federal Agent,’ Elvis wrote [in a note given to a Nixon aide]. ‘I 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.’

“Nixon agreed to give him the badge — but only after learning that the chief of the narcotics bureau had turned down the same request earlier that day and told him the only person who could overrule his decision was the president.

“A photo of a cloaked and bejeweled Elvis Presley solemnly shaking hands with a grim-faced President Nixon remains the No. 1 requested document from the National Archives, nearly four decades after the secret meeting took place on Dec. 21, 1970.” —AP Report at Yahoo News

Reportedly, Elvis died from cardiac arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat, possibly brought on by drug dependency, obesity and a weak heart. Much has been written and speculated about Elvis’ health at the end of his life and the true cause of his death.