Billy Graham Apologizes for ’72 Remarks

WASHINGTON —  The Rev. Billy Graham apologized Friday for a 1972 conversation with former President Nixon in which he said the Jewish “stranglehold” on the media was ruining the country and must be broken.

The conversation was among 500 hours of Nixon tapes released by the National Archives. Most were recorded between January and June 1972.

“Although I have no memory of the occasion, I deeply regret comments I apparently made in an Oval Office conversation with President Nixon . . . some 30 years ago,” Graham said in a written statement released by his Texas public relations firm. “They do not reflect my views and I sincerely apologize for any offense caused by the remarks.”

In the conversation with Nixon, the Southern Baptist evangelist expressed disdain for what he saw as Jewish domination of the media.

“This stranglehold has got to be broken or this country’s going down the drain,” Graham said, agreeing with Nixon’s comments earlier in the conversation.

“You believe that?” Nixon says in response.

“Yes, sir,” says Graham.

“Oh boy. So do I,” Nixon agrees, then says: “I can’t ever say that, but I believe it.”

“No, but if you get elected a second time, then we might be able to do something,” Graham says, reassuring the president.

Friday, Graham said his legacy has been one of working for stronger bonds between Jews and Christians.

“Throughout my ministry, I have sought to build bridges between Jews and Christians,” Graham said. “I will continue to strongly support all future efforts to advance understanding and mutual respect between our communities.”

Graham, 83, has been in frail health for years.

The friendship between Graham and Nixon began during the Eisenhower administration, when Nixon was vice president.

Later in the conversation, when Nixon raises the subject of Jewish influence in Hollywood and the media, Graham says, “A lot of Jews are great friends of mine.

“They swarm around me and are friendly to me. Because they know that I am friendly to Israel and so forth. But they don’t know how I really feel about what they’re doing to this country, and I have no power and no way to handle them,” Graham says.

Nixon says: “You must not let them know.”