Richard Nixon on Nightline with Ted Koppel | FULL INTERVIEW January 7, 1992

From the archives of the Richard Nixon Library & Museum.

The Richard Nixon Foundation applies the legacy and vision of President Richard Nixon, America’s relentless grand strategist, to defining issues facing our nation and the world.

The Richard Nixon Foundation in association with the National Archives and Records Administration provides financial support to collect, preserve, and make available to the public and for scholars the documents, recordings, and other materials that illuminate the life and times, and the historic legacy of Richard Nixon.

[iamthem.a.n.middleagednerd]

I cried my eyes out when Nixon died. I was 11, but when I was 10 I wrote him a letter and he ACTUALLY wrote me back. It was hand written. I still have it. I asked him if he was friends with the other (at the time) living presidents and what was China like. It was November of '93 when I wrote the letter so I wished him the best in the holiday season.
He wrote back that while ex-presidents of the United States are not typically friends in the sense that children think of it, being an ex-president is like being in a very special club and all of the members understand and appreciate how special it is. He also wrote that despite being in a different political party, he really enjoyed the company of Jimmy Carter and said he was the most honest person he had ever met. He said going to China was like going to some bygone era where Farmers still tilled the Earth with simple tools and their hands but the place itself he said was very beautiful.

[Guardian__Angel]

He was a larger-than-life figure in the arena of foreign policy.

[randomtees]

In this clip, Richard Nixon (78—2 days shy of his 79th birthday) is actually YOUNGER than current first-term president Joe Biden (80). When Biden was first sworn in as senator, Nixon was still the president.

[rampageclover]

I gotta say Nixon has gone up tremendously in my estimation. Terrific interview….

[PatJenningsGloves]

When Nixon was told that most Americans felt they did not know him even at the end of his career, he replied, "Yeah, it's true. And it's not necessary for them to know."
A misundersttod and complex man with a very sharp brain .

[fponds]

Ted Koeppel was a brilliant journalist and skilled interviewer. He knew his subject (interviewee) and his subjects (topics). Miss his style and effectiveness!

[marksolomon]

Koppel was the master of his craft. A credit to the field

[kurtdobson]

Nice to see what journalism used to be...

[bobbysands]

What a brilliant but complicated man. I was a teenager when he left office. He destroyed himself (his own words). But I would vote for him right now, over any politician, and my community college students say the same thing. And imagine this being on late night in America back then. Compare it to what we have now. If there is a disgrace, it is what the media has become.

[indianajones]

Nixon was very underrated, and I wish we could have him and his experience in international affairs back today

[jasonwardy]

Smart man. Incredibly articulate and sharp. RIP Mr President. Excellent interview, Ted Koppel was always great.

[afvet]

A great statesman, intelligent, articulate, and musician. He actually sent my Grandmother a letter thanking her for her sons that are and were true American Veterans.

[prairiehawker]

I had a chance to meet Nixon once a few years before he passed. He was as kind and gracious as could be. It was really a great experience.

[victoriaburkhardt]

Thanks to the Richard Nixon Foundation for giving us these many videos of the brilliant Richard Nixon.

[brucelutes]

Nixon took the time to become an excellent elder statesman and gave great commentary on many topics. Very well spoken and far from perfect and he knew that. Don't see those qualities in any of those in office or running for office today.

[marcdavis]

I'm 64, And President Nixon Was A Part Of My Childhood As An Adult, I Appreciate How Brilliant He Was

[bertnobbe]

I'm from The Netherlands/Holland and mr. Nixon was always my favourite American President.

[lars]

I graduated from High School in 1972. My opinion of Nixon was low back then. Now, as the years have gone by, I understand the true nature of Nixon. What a great foreign policy President. He was sharp in so many ways. Probably one of the smartest and most articulate Presidents we ever had. I would feel safe with him in the White House. What a great leader he was.

[williammiller]

What a great person President Nixon was, just finished one of his books and going out to get another. We need leaders like him today.

[StevenSmith-brtb]

It’s fascinating how Nixon essentially predicted quite a few of the international crises that would develop in the decades following his presidency.