Legendary investigative journalist Bob Woodward shares the inside story of President Richard Nixon's downfall, and what was learned from the notorious White House tapes. In his 2016 TEDxMidAtlantic talk, he warns that we are entering a new era of secrecy that harkens back to Nixon's days. We think we are resilient, he says, but if we are infected with hate and lack of knowledge, we could lose our democracy.

What I learned investigating Nixon

The Watergate scandal was not just about a single break-in but a sprawling campaign of illegal actions designed to subvert the presidential election. Secret Oval Office tapes revealed a pattern of abuse, including plans for blackmail, break-ins, and the use of federal agencies for personal revenge. Decades later, these tapes show a presidency consumed by hate and power, never by concern for citizens’ needs. The lesson is clear: when knowledge is hidden and hatred takes hold, democracy itself is at risk.