President Nixon and Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley came to the White House on December 21, 1970, carrying a letter he'd written on American Airlines stationery for President Nixon. Saying he was worried about "hippie elements," Elvis asked to receive credentials as a drug agent. "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," he wrote. White House aides arranged for Elvis to visit Nixon later in the day. Elvis didn't wear the business attire typical for Oval Office visitors, arriving instead in tight velvet pants, a white shirt with a huge collar and a dark purple cape. After the King promised to fight drug abuse and blaming the Beatles for promoting "an anti-American theme," he surprised the president with a hug. Elvis's gift to Nixon was a World War II-era Colt .45. In return, Elvis received an honorary badge as an agent of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.