President Donald Trump's handwritten letter to then-President-elect Joe Biden, penned on January 20, 2021, has been publicly revealed nearly six years after its delivery. The full text of the two-page note, which remained private for years, appears in excerpts from Biden's forthcoming memoir, "Promise Me, America," scheduled for release on November 17. The New York Times reviewed a photocopy of the letter ahead of the book's publication, bringing to light a significant piece of presidential transition history.
"Coming to work every day in the Oval Office is a blessing beyond imagination. History resounds from every wall, every statue, every beautiful painting, and every corner of this magical place. Each staircase, hallway, and door leads to yet another door and memory, another inflection point in the glorious story of America." President Donald Trump, 2021 Letter to Joe Biden
The tradition of an outgoing president leaving a personal note for their successor in the Oval Office's Resolute Desk began with President Ronald Reagan in 1989. Every president since has continued this custom, symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power and offering personal reflections on the immense responsibilities of the nation's highest office. The 2020-2021 transition, however, was marked by significant political tensions and a notable absence of the traditional meeting between the outgoing and incoming presidents, making the content of President Trump's note a subject of considerable public interest and speculation.
Written in President Trump's distinctive black Sharpie on White House stationery, the letter was sealed in an envelope marked "To '46'," referring to Biden as the 46th president. The message, which Biden describes in his memoir as carrying a "warm language that sounded like it was coming from an old friend," offers a reflection on the presidency and a call to service. President Trump began by emphasizing the profound privilege of the office itself. "Coming to work every day in the Oval Office is a blessing beyond imagination. History resounds from every wall, every statue, every beautiful painting, and every corner of this magical place. Each staircase, hallway, and door leads to yet another door and memory, another inflection point in the glorious story of America," President Trump wrote.
He then urged Biden to pause and absorb the historical weight of his new surroundings. "I hope you take a moment every single day to take stock of where you are and the people who came before you, the titans who shaped the course of human events. You now have the opportunity to choose your place in history, and I know you will be true to yourself and the American people," the letter continued. President Trump further distinguished between leaders who merely govern along party lines and those who leave a lasting mark, stating, "Many presidents have come and gone who simply governed as Republicans or Democrats. Largely, they did not change history, they were just swept along in its relentless tide. This will not happen to you because I know how much you love the American people." The closing paragraphs addressed the immense pressures of the presidency, reminding Biden of the millions of citizens depending on him. "Your strength, your deepest reservoir of energy, comes from the knowledge that millions upon millions of people are depending on you. Their ambitions and aspirations are the reason you are here, with so many counting on your success," President Trump wrote, concluding with a blessing: "May God bless you and Jill, and may God bless America!"
Upon receiving the letter on Inauguration Day in 2021, Biden publicly described it as "very generous" but declined to disclose its contents, stating he would not discuss it until he had spoken with President Trump. He later showed the physical note to some staff members but did not permit them to read it, maintaining its privacy for years. In his memoir, Biden reflects on the unexpected tone of the letter given the preceding turbulent transition. He writes that President Trump "deeply destabilized our democracy" and "had not offered the traditional meeting between presidents," yet the letter's warmth prompted him to feel "as if there were two Donald Trumps."
President Trump himself addressed the letter in September 2023 during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press. He characterized it as "a nice note" and confirmed, "I took a lot of time in thinking about it." He also noted that the decision to make the letter public ultimately belonged to Biden. The long-awaited revelation of the 2021 letter stands in contrast to the swift public disclosure of Biden's own transition letter in January 2025. When Biden left office, he penned a note for President Trump, addressed to "47," which became public within days. President Trump subsequently described Biden's letter as "very nice" and "a little bit of an inspirational-type letter."
The public release of President Trump's 2021 letter provides a unique historical artifact, offering a glimpse into the complexities of presidential transitions and the individuals involved. It underscores the enduring nature of presidential traditions, even amidst political discord, and offers a personal perspective on the weight and sanctity of the Oval Office.
