Biden Book Reveals the 'Very Generous' Letter Trump Left Him in the Oval Office

Former President Joe Biden has revealed the contents of a letter President Trump left for him in the Oval Office in January 2021, describing it as "very generous," The Hill reported.

The letter is published in Biden's upcoming memoir, according to The Hill. The New York Times reported that the note is remarkable for a warm tone starkly at odds with Trump's public comments at the time. Newsweek also reported the contents.

The Times of Israel, citing an Associated Press review of a photocopy, reported that Trump wrote the two-page note by hand in black Sharpie on White House stationery and addressed it "To '46'". In it, Trump privately praised Biden and offered him encouragement as he took office.

The memoir, titled "Promise Me, America," is due out November 17, The Times of Israel reported. The New York Times first reported on its contents.

Biden showed the note to some of his staff after his inauguration in 2021 but did not let anyone read it, The Times of Israel reported. He called it very generous and considered it a private matter, and he was reportedly surprised by how gracious it was given the bitter rivalry between the two men.

Trump himself had talked about it. In a September 2023 interview with NBC, he said it was up to Biden whether to share the letter and called it a nice note, The Times of Israel reported. The White House did not deny the letter's authenticity.

The custom of an outgoing president leaving a note for the next one goes back decades. It is one of the quiet rituals of the American presidency, written in private and meant to be read by one person. In 2021 Trump broke with other transition traditions, skipping Biden's inauguration and the customary White House tea, The Times of Israel reported. The letter shows he kept this one.

The memoir is not all kind words. Biden criticizes Trump's Department of Government Efficiency and his reversal of many Biden-era policies, and he writes harshly about January 6, 2021, according to The Times of Israel. Readers can expect the book to reopen old fights.

Whatever Americans think of either man, the letter is a small reminder that even bitter rivals can honor the peaceful handoff of the most powerful office in the world. In a country this divided, that is worth noticing. The peaceful transfer of power is one of America's great gifts to the world, and both parties have a duty to protect it.