
Former President Donald Trump reveals an unexpected gesture of goodwill from his successor, Joe Biden, in the form of an inspirational letter left in the Oval Office.
At a Glance
- Trump found a letter from Biden addressed to “Number 47” in the Resolute Desk
- The letter encouraged Trump to “enjoy it” and “do a good job” as President
- Trump described the message as “inspirational” and appreciated the gesture
- This continues a Presidential tradition dating back to Ronald Reagan
- Trump is considering making the contents of the letter public
A Surprising Discovery in the Oval Office
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has revealed that he discovered a letter from Joe Biden in the drawer of the Resolute Desk upon entering the Oval Office. The letter, addressed to “Number 47,” continues a long-standing tradition of outgoing Presidents leaving messages for their successors.
Trump shared details about the contents of the letter, expressing appreciation for Biden’s thoughtful gesture despite their political differences. The former President described the message as encouraging and inspirational, focusing on the importance of the Presidential role.
The Letter’s Contents
While Trump did not disclose the full contents of the letter, he provided some insight into its message. “Basically, it was a little bit of an inspirational-type letter, you know, ‘Enjoy it. Do a good job’,” Trump said. He also noted that the letter emphasized the significance of the Presidency.
“It said ‘To number 47’ and it was a very nice one,” Donald Trump said.
The former President seemed to appreciate the positive tone of the letter, despite the contentious relationship between the two leaders. Trump’s reaction suggests a moment of bipartisan respect amidst their ongoing political rivalry.
A Presidential Tradition
The practice of outgoing Presidents leaving letters for their successors dates back to Ronald Reagan. This tradition has persisted through various administrations, regardless of party affiliations or personal differences. It serves as a symbol of the peaceful transfer of power and the continuity of the American presidency.
“This will mark the first time that a President who has received a letter from an outgoing President may well be writing a letter to the same person who’s the incoming President. So, this is a highly unusual situation, as so many things are in modern day Washington with Donald John Trump,” Mark Updegrove said.
Trump’s decision to continue this tradition by leaving a letter for Biden in 2021, despite skipping his inauguration, demonstrates the enduring nature of this Presidential custom. Biden had previously described Trump’s letter to him as “generous,” though he did not disclose its contents.
Potential Public Release
Trump has hinted at the possibility of making Biden’s letter public, suggesting that it reflects positively on the current President. “But I may—I think it was a nice letter. I think I should let people see it because was a positive for him in writing it. I appreciated the letter.” Trump stated.
If Trump decides to release the letter, it would offer a rare glimpse into the private communications between two political rivals and provide insight into the transition of power between administrations.