Monday, December 9, 1957

December 9, 1957

JFK summoned high-powered Washington attorney Clark Clifford to his office to discuss the interview columnist Drew Pearson gave on The Mike Wallace Interview two days earlier.

Drew Pearson with Lyndon Johnson in the White House Garden (photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Pearson had ripped Kennedy for being dishonest in accepting a Pulitizer Prize for Profiles In Courage, claiming that it was largely ghostwritten.

JFK was angry and reportedly said, “I can’t let this stand. It is a direct attack on my honesty and integrity.” He wanted Clifford to file a lawsuit against ABC and the interview participants.

During their conversation, Joe Kennedy called from Palm Beach, also reportedly spoiling for a fight and requesting that Clifford take legal action.

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