All the President's Men Quotes
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Source: All the President's Men
Speaker: Deep Throat
Follow the money.
Context
This line is spoken by Deep Throat, played by Hal Holbrook, in the film All the President's Men, directed by Alan J. Pakula (1976).
In a dark, deserted parking garage, Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward is secretly meeting with this shadowy tipster "Deep Throat" for the very first time. Reporter Bob smells something rotten over at the recent Watergate Hotel burglary.
Why break into the Headquarters of the Democratic National Committee? Does this raspy-voiced insider know something? "Follow the money" is the stranger's only clue. Um, note to then-President Nixon and his henchmen: you got some 'splainin' to do!
Follow this clip to hear the quote.
Where you've heard it
This quote is often confused with "Show me the money!" from the movie Jerry Maguire—close, but no cigar. "Follow the money" has been the mantra for possible political and big business shenanigans since All the President's Men was released. But the kicker is that the real "Deep Throat" never said "follow the money."
It doesn't matter, though. This quote has made watchdogs out of all us. Is there an upcoming election? Journalists never tire of "follow the money" for killer headlines.
Additional Notable References:
- Watergate in a minute
- Watergate in 15 minutes
- The real Deep Throat
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Proclaim this to the world and show off your "seeker of truth and justice" side. Just lose the action hero cape.