Historic audio revealing the moment Nixon shared words of condolence with now-President Biden after his wife and daughter were killed in a car crash has resurfaced.
In December 1972, Joe Biden's first wife, Neilia, and infant daughter, Naomi Christina, were killed in a car crash that left his sons Beau and Hunter seriously injured. The incident occurred a week before Christmas - and was a tragedy for the then-senator from Delaware.
Recalling the moment in his autobiography, the future president wrote: "I could not speak... only felt this hollow core grow in my chest, like I was going to be sucked inside a black hole."
Read more: Joe Biden's heartbreaking final moments with son Beau before his death
President Nixon called Biden after his wife and daughter died in a fatal car crash (Popperfoto via Getty Images)A day after the crash that changed Biden's life, he received a phone call from then-President Nixon. The recording was kept by the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, with the brief conversation now circulating online. President Biden wrote in his book that his wife was at home in Delaware, planning to have breakfast with his brother, James.
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She was hoping to do some Christmas shopping and buy a tree. He wrote: "Val and I were sitting in the office … when Jimmy called from Wilmington. He wanted to talk to Val. When she hung up the phone, she looked white. ‘There’s been a slight accident,’ she said. ‘Nothing to be worried about. But we ought to go home."
However, he has a sudden feeling of dread about his wife, and said: "She's dead, isn't she?" It turned out that her car collided with a truck on a rural road. Nixon telephoned Biden at 12:21 p.m. It’s not clear where Biden was at the time, but its thought that he may have been at hospital, where he spent a lot of time with his injured sons. The call lasted for one minute and seven seconds, with the historic transcript below:
Operator: Mr. President, Senator-Elect Biden for you.
Nixon: Yes
Nixon: Hello?
Operator 2: Just one minute Mr. President.
Biden: Hello, Mr. President, how are you?
It was a tough time for Biden (AFP via Getty Images)Nixon: Senator, I know this is a very tragic day for you, but I wanted you to know that all of us here at the White House were thinking about you, and praying for you and also for your two children, and —
Biden: I appreciate that very much.
Nixon: I understand you were on the Hill at the time, and your wife was just driving by herself.
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Biden: Yes, that’s correct.
Nixon: In any event, looking at it as you must in terms of the future, because you have the great fortune of being young, I remember I was two years older than you when I went to the House. But the main point is you can remember that she was there when you won a great victory, and you enjoyed it together. And now, I’m sure that she’ll be watching you from now on. Good luck to you.
Biden: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I appreciate your call. I appreciate it.
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