Biden sent Trump a 'very nice' letter with an 'inspirational' message, the new president stated.

Biden is the first president to receive a letter from his successor, who also left a note for him.

Biden sent Trump a 'very nice' letter with an 'inspirational' message, the new president stated.
Biden sent Trump a 'very nice' letter with an 'inspirational' message, the new president stated.

On Tuesday, President Trump described the letter he found in the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as "inspirational" and hinted that he may release it at some point.

During a press conference on Monday, Trump revealed that he discovered a letter inside the Resolute Desk with the help of Planet Chronicle Senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy, while discussing a $500 billion investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure.

"Trump stated that the letter was inspirational and important, urging reporters to do a good job."

The president expressed gratitude for the letter and may make it public.

President Donald Trump holds up letter
President Donald Trump holds up the letter that former President Joe Biden left for him in the Resolute Desk as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"Trump appreciated the letter he wrote."

On Monday, while signing a flurry of executive orders in the Oval Office, President Biden left Trump a letter addressed to "47."

President Donald Trump holds up letter
Trump found the letter in the Resolute Desk after Planet Chronicle Senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy asked whether Biden had left him a note. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"Before discovering the white envelope, Trump told Doocy, "He may have left it in the desk. Don’t they? I don’t know." After finding the envelope, Trump said, "Thank you, Peter. It could have been years before we found this thing.""

Trump finds letter from Biden in drawer of Resolute desk

Trump initially hinted to reporters that they should read the letter together before changing his mind and saying he would reveal it later Monday night.

The custom of presidents writing a letter to their successor started in 1989 with Ronald Reagan's departure from the White House after two terms, and George H. W. Bush assuming the presidency.

Letters from former presidents to successors
Handwritten letters from former presidents left for their successors are photographed Saturday, Jan 18, 2025, in Washington. Every president since Ronald Reagan has left a note for his successor. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Despite losing the White House after one term, Bush continued the tradition, which has been carried on by Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden.

Biden was the first president to write a letter to someone who is both his successor and the predecessor who left him a note four years earlier. Trump became the first president to serve nonconsecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.

Biden received a "very generous letter" from Trump but has not disclosed its content, considering it private.

Planet Chronicle Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.

by Stephen Sorace

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