President Donald Trump On Tuesday, he described the message former President Biden left for him inside the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as “inspiring” and teased reporters that he might release the “very nice” message at some point.
Trump was asked about the letter, which he found inside the Resolute Desk on Monday with a little help from Peter Doocy, Fox News' chief White House correspondent, during a news conference in which he announced a $500 billion investment in the United States. Artificial intelligence infrastructure.
“It was a very nice message,” Trump told reporters. “It was a bit of an inspirational message. Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is.”
The president added that he appreciated the message so much that he would release it to the public.
President Donald Trump holds the letter left for him by former President Joe Biden at the Resolute Desk as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday, January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“It was a positive thing for him to write it,” Trump continued. “I appreciate the message.”
Trump found the message — addressed to “47” — after Ducey asked if President Biden had left him a message as he signed a series of executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday in front of a crowd of reporters.
Trump found the letter in the Resolute Desk after asking Peter Doocy, Fox News' chief White House correspondent, if Biden had left him a letter. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
“Maybe he did it. Don't they leave it in the office? I don't know,” Trump told Doocy before spotting the white envelope. “Thank you, Peter. It may be years before we find this thing.”
Trump then urged reporters to read it together before retracting the vows. He said he would open the letter later Monday night.
the Presidential tradition The process of leaving a message for their successor began in 1989 when President Ronald Reagan left the White House after two terms in office and former President George H. W. Bush took office.
Handwritten letters from former presidents left for their successors are photographed on Saturday, January 18, 2025, in Washington. Every president since Ronald Reagan has left a message for his successor. (AP Photo/John Elswick)
Bush continued this tradition despite losing the White House to the former president Bill Clinton After only one term in office. This tradition has continued to this day through Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Trump, and Biden.
However, Biden was the first president to find himself in the unique position of writing a letter to someone who is his successor and predecessor to whom he left a letter four years ago. Trump became the first president to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century.
Biden said that Trump left him a “very generous letter,” but so far he has refused to share the content of what Trump wrote, considering it private.
Fox News Digital's Greg Weiner contributed to this report.
