“Louie smokes marijuana?”
– Richard Nixon’s response when he was told he had smuggled cannabis through customs for Louis Armstrong by his aid Charles McWhorter
Louis Armstrong talks with Richard Nixon
Satchmo’s Mule
Louis Armstrong was considered a master on his trumpet and was fabled for his cannabis consumption but it would be his drug mule on one trip abroad that would make him a true stoners legend…
Louis Armstrong on the MGM set of ‘High Society’, 1956
There are many versions to this story from both camps, this one is my favorite told by Nixon aids. One thing is pretty clear… It really happened!
In 1958 with the Cold War heating up the United States launched a world wide PR campaign to bolster popular opinions towards America. Louis Armstrong was chosen among the hand picked performers for the campaign and granted the title of a “Goodwill Ambassador” for the United States by the State Department.
After two long tours playing shows throughout Europe and Asia, Armstrong and his band mates were finally on their way home to the United States.
Armstrong as a ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ had been able to skip customs throughout the tour which enabled him to carry the bands stash in his trumpet case. Not wanting to leave the bands remaining 3 pounds of cannabis in Europe, Armstrong thought nothing of bringing it home.
But when the band departed on their final flight into New York’s Idlewild Airport, they were not escorted through customs like had happened all throughout the tour…
Instead Armstrong and crew were stuck in a customs line, Armstrong holding a case full of pot…
Nixon farewell wave, 1974
As Armstrong waited for his impending doom and just as all hope seemed lost… Vice President Richard Nixon burst through the airport doors with his security escort. Noticing the jazz legend standing in the customs line, Nixon approached Armstrong.
According to Nixon’s aid Charles McWhorter, the conversation between the two went like this…
“Satchmo, what are you doing here?” Nixon asked.
“Well, Pops, I just came back from my goodwill ambassador’s tour of Asia and they told me I had to stand in this line for customs.” Armstrong replied sweating bullets.
“Ambassadors don’t have to go through customs and the Vice President of the United States will gladly carry your bags for you,” Nixon said grabbing his trumpet case filled with the bands cannabis.
Following the Vice President the band stepped out of line, walking right through customs with Nixon holding the stash…
Richard Nixon celebrating in 1970
“One of the architects of an American art form, a free and individual spirit, and an artist of worldwide fame, his great talents and magnificent spirit added richness and pleasure to all our lives”
– Richard Nixon’s remarks about Louis Armstrong in 1971 just after Armstrong’s death
Louis Armstrong talks with Richard Nixon