He’s revealing the contents.
President Trump recently shared the contents of a letter that President Biden had left for him in the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. Despite their fraught relationship throughout Biden’s presidency and the two election campaigns, Trump described the letter as positive and motivational. He appreciated the gesture, calling it “very nice” and “inspirational,” with Biden encouraging him to do a good job and emphasizing the significance of the presidency. Although the letter was addressed to “47” (referring to Trump as the 47th president), Trump expressed his gratitude for the gesture.
The letter, dated January 20, 2025, wished Trump and his family well for the next four years, offering prayers for prosperity, peace, and grace for the nation. It concluded with a blessing from Biden, wishing Trump the same guidance that has helped the country since its founding. Trump shared the contents of the letter during a press conference, where he was also discussing a significant investment in AI infrastructure by Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank.
Trump discovered the letter earlier when a reporter inquired about its presence. At first, he seemed unsure whether Biden had left a letter but thanked the reporter for pointing it out, joking that it might have been overlooked for years. He later considered reading the letter aloud during the press briefing but decided to postpone it.
Leaving letters for incoming presidents has become a tradition, dating back to 1989, when President Ronald Reagan wrote a letter to George H. W. Bush. These letters typically carry positive messages, though sometimes reflect the political climate. For example, Reagan included a drawing of an elephant, a symbol of the Republican Party, in his letter. Bill Clinton also left a message for George W. Bush, encouraging him to lead as the most important force for freedom.
In 2020, Trump wrote a “very generous” letter for Biden, but its contents remain private. Barack Obama’s 2017 letter to Trump included political undertones, urging him to uphold democratic values. Biden’s letter to Trump is historic in that he is the first president to both receive and leave a letter for the same predecessor, marking a unique moment in this presidential tradition.
