Elvis Presley said he ‘studied brainwashing techniques’ in letter asking President Richard Nixon to make him a ‘secret a
Posted: November 1st, 2025, 3:08 pm
Elvis Presley said he ‘studied brainwashing techniques’ in letter asking President Richard Nixon to make him a ‘secret agent’
By
Ewan Gleadow
November 1, 2025
In a letter written to the then-President of the United States, Richard Nixon, Elvis Presley asked to be made a “secret agent”.
The Hound Dog hitmaker may have been a natural on stage and in the studio, but he also fancied himself as someone who could be a useful asset for the American government. Not only that but The King listed a handful of credentials which should have had him considered for the role, including an understanding of “Communist brainwashing techniques” and the study of drugs culture. Not only that, but Presley was loved by those who saw the so-called “establishment” as an “enemy”, or at least The King believed this was a case. He would share all of this with President Nixon in a wild letter sent to the Republican party head. The pair would meet in 1970, and it seems Presley was keen on making an impression as a candidate for government operations.
He wrote to Nixon: “The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS [the radical organisation Students for a Democratic Society], Black Panthers, etc. do not [underlined] consider me as their enemy or as they call it ‘the establishment’. I call it American and I love it.
“I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large and I will help out by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and foremost, I am an entertainer, but all I need is the Federal credentials.
“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.” The King would go on to meet with Nixon, with the pair seemingly discussing the “anti-American spirit” which had been conjured up by The Beatles’ touring around the USA.
Egil Krogh was put in charge of the impromptu Presley visit, and seemingly convinced President Nixon to attend a meeting with the music sensation. Presley would reportedly suggest The Beatles had been “a real force for the anti-American spirit,” Krogh would claim.
He would also suggest Presley had said The Beatles “came to this country, made their money, and then returned to England, where they promoted ‘an anti-American theme’.” Krogh would later recall how the meeting came to be, and that it “was fun” to have The King attend the White House.
Whatever the conversation may have been, Presley was there for one clear reason. He wanted to get his hands on the Honorary Agent At Large badge, which he did indeed receive from President Nixon. The King was so excited he is said to have hugged the President. Krogh has also suggested the only reason Presley was in the White House was for the honorary badge.
Krogh said: “Oh man, we were set up! But it was fun. He said all the right words about trying to do the right thing and I took him at his word, but I think he clearly wanted to get a badge and he knew the only way he was going to get it.”
By
Ewan Gleadow
November 1, 2025
In a letter written to the then-President of the United States, Richard Nixon, Elvis Presley asked to be made a “secret agent”.
The Hound Dog hitmaker may have been a natural on stage and in the studio, but he also fancied himself as someone who could be a useful asset for the American government. Not only that but The King listed a handful of credentials which should have had him considered for the role, including an understanding of “Communist brainwashing techniques” and the study of drugs culture. Not only that, but Presley was loved by those who saw the so-called “establishment” as an “enemy”, or at least The King believed this was a case. He would share all of this with President Nixon in a wild letter sent to the Republican party head. The pair would meet in 1970, and it seems Presley was keen on making an impression as a candidate for government operations.
He wrote to Nixon: “The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS [the radical organisation Students for a Democratic Society], Black Panthers, etc. do not [underlined] consider me as their enemy or as they call it ‘the establishment’. I call it American and I love it.
“I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large and I will help out by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and foremost, I am an entertainer, but all I need is the Federal credentials.
“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.” The King would go on to meet with Nixon, with the pair seemingly discussing the “anti-American spirit” which had been conjured up by The Beatles’ touring around the USA.
Egil Krogh was put in charge of the impromptu Presley visit, and seemingly convinced President Nixon to attend a meeting with the music sensation. Presley would reportedly suggest The Beatles had been “a real force for the anti-American spirit,” Krogh would claim.
He would also suggest Presley had said The Beatles “came to this country, made their money, and then returned to England, where they promoted ‘an anti-American theme’.” Krogh would later recall how the meeting came to be, and that it “was fun” to have The King attend the White House.
Whatever the conversation may have been, Presley was there for one clear reason. He wanted to get his hands on the Honorary Agent At Large badge, which he did indeed receive from President Nixon. The King was so excited he is said to have hugged the President. Krogh has also suggested the only reason Presley was in the White House was for the honorary badge.
Krogh said: “Oh man, we were set up! But it was fun. He said all the right words about trying to do the right thing and I took him at his word, but I think he clearly wanted to get a badge and he knew the only way he was going to get it.”
