President Donald Trump’s two‑page handwritten note to then‑President‑elect Joe Biden, written on White House stationery in January 2021, appears in Biden’s forthcoming memoir, Promise Me, America, scheduled for release on Nov. 17. The note, addressed “To ‘46,’” was originally shown to a few members of the new administration’s staff but was kept private until now.
Trump’s generous message
In the note, President Trump wrote that he believed Biden would “be true to yourself and the American people.” He added, “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 language reflects a rare moment of bipartisan goodwill, underscoring the Trump administration’s respect for the peaceful transfer of power.
Biden’s response and criticism
President‑elect Biden described the note as “very generous” after seeing it, but he chose not to share its contents publicly at the time. In his memoir, Biden characterizes the Trump administration as one that “tear[s] down institutions and inflame hatreds,” and he condemns the former president’s role in the January 6 protests at the Capitol, writing that Trump “led an insurrection” and that his “goal was to remain in power after the American people had voted him out of office.” Biden asserts, “What Trump did on January 6, 2021, should never be forgotten. It should follow him to his grave.”
White House reaction
When asked for comment, White House communications director Steven Cheung called the former president “a disgrace” who “should have heeded the President’s wise words, but instead he tried to destroy this country and weaponize the justice system against his political enemies.” The administration’s response was placed near the top of the story, reflecting the Trump administration’s perspective on the matter.
Context and significance
The release of the note offers a glimpse into the personal dynamics of the 2020‑2021 transition. While President Trump opted out of many traditional inauguration events, including attending the ceremony and hosting a tea for the incoming first family, his handwritten message demonstrates a willingness to extend a personal courtesy, even amid fierce political rivalry. The memoir’s inclusion of the note provides readers with a rare primary source that illustrates both the occasional civility and the deep partisan divide that continues to shape national discourse.
As the Trump administration moves forward on its policy agenda, the appearance of this private correspondence serves as a reminder that even the highest leaders can express respect across the aisle, though the broader political narrative remains sharply contested.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
