President Nixon Meets with Elvis Presley in the Oval Office

This photograph of President Richard M. Nixon meeting with American musician Elvis Presley, Delbert "Sonny" West, and Jerry Schilling was taken by Oliver F. Atkins during the president's Oval Office "Open Hour" on December 21, 1970. Out of concern for the country, Presley wrote President Nixon a letter suggesting he be appointed a Federal Agent at Large and requested a meeting. Nixon agreed to meet Presley and, during the visit, gave him a federal narcotics badge. In turn, Presley gifted the president a pistol and some family photos for hosting the meeting.