Trump Calls Biden’s Oval Office Letter ‘Inspirational,’ May Release It

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Tuesday described a letter left for him by former President Joe Biden in the Resolute Desk as “inspirational” and hinted he may release the note to the public. The letter, discovered Monday during a press event, continues a decades-long tradition of outgoing presidents leaving messages for their successors.

“It was a very nice letter,” Trump told reporters during a press conference announcing a $500 billion investment. “It was a little bit of an inspirational-type letter. Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is.”

Trump found the letter, addressed to “47,” after Fox News Senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy inquired whether Biden had left a note. The president initially joked that it might have taken years to discover the envelope, which was tucked inside the Resolute Desk. “Thank you, Peter. It could have been years before we found this thing,” Trump said.

The tradition of leaving a letter for a successor began in 1989 when President Ronald Reagan left a note for George H.W. Bush. Since then, every outgoing president has continued the practice, including Trump, who left a “very generous letter” for Biden in 2021. Biden, however, has kept the contents of Trump’s letter private.

Trump, who returned to the Oval Office after serving a nonconsecutive term, reflected on his comeback. “What a great feeling, one of the better feelings I’ve ever had,” he told ABC News.

While Trump has not yet released Biden’s letter, he suggested it could happen soon. “I think I should let people see it, because it was a positive for him, in writing it. I appreciated the letter,” he said.