Former President Donald Trump described the letter left for him by President Joe Biden as 'inspirational' during a recent press conference. Trump found the note inside the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office with the help of a White House correspondent. He mentioned that the letter was 'very nice' and hinted that he might make it public at some point.
Trump shared that the letter contained encouraging words, emphasizing the importance of the presidential role. He expressed his gratitude for the positive tone of the message and indicated his willingness to release it for the public to see.
During the press conference where Trump discussed the letter, he was announcing a significant investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The letter, addressed to '47,' was discovered by Trump after being prompted by the correspondent.
The tradition of leaving a letter for the incoming president dates back to 1989 when President Ronald Reagan initiated it. Since then, each president has followed suit, including George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Trump, and Biden.
Notably, Biden faced a unique situation as he had to write a letter to his successor, who was also his predecessor from four years earlier. Trump, having served nonconsecutive terms, became the first president since Grover Cleveland to do so in the late 1800s.
While Biden acknowledged receiving a 'very generous letter' from Trump, he has chosen to keep its contents private. The exchange of letters between presidents serves as a symbol of continuity and respect for the presidential office.
