Biden Leaves Inspirational Letter for Trump as Presidential Tradition Continues

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump has described the letter left for him by his predecessor, Joe Biden, as "inspirational" and "very nice," hinting at the possibility of releasing it to the public. The letter, which was left inside the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, continues a tradition dating back to 1989, when President Ronald Reagan left a note for his successor, George H. W. Bush.

Trump, who began his second term after being inaugurated as the 47th president, revealed the existence of the letter during a press conference focused on a $500 billion investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. He noted its significance and remarked on the gesture of encouragement from Biden.

"It was a very nice letter," Trump said. "It was a little bit of an inspirational-type letter. Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is." He suggested that he might share the letter publicly at a later time, emphasizing its meaningful tone.

The letter was discovered Monday while Trump was signing executive orders in the Oval Office. With assistance from Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy, who prompted him to check for it, Trump found the white envelope addressed to "47." Initially joking that it might remain undiscovered for years, Trump later teased reporters about the letter's contents before deciding to open it privately that evening.

The tradition of outgoing presidents leaving letters to their successors began with Reagan and has continued uninterrupted, including during instances of partisan transition. Biden, in a unique position, became the first president to both leave a letter for his successor and write one to someone who had previously left him a note; underscoring Trump's status as the first president since Grover Cleveland to serve nonconsecutive terms.

During his own inauguration in 2021, Biden received a letter from Trump, which he described as "very generous" but chose not to disclose, calling it a private exchange. Now, Biden's message to Trump has been made public through White House confirmation:

"Dear President Trump,

As I take leave of this sacred office I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years. The American people - and people around the world - look to this house for steadiness in the inevitable storms of history, and my prayer is that in the coming years will be a time of prosperity, peace, and grace for our nation.

May God bless you and guide you as He has blessed and guided our beloved country since our founding.

Joe Biden"

The tradition of letter writing between presidents serves as a reminder of the continuity and solemnity of the presidency, transcending political divisions. The personal exchange between Biden and Trump reflects a shared respect for the office, even amidst their significant political differences.