Joe Biden's memoir reveals 'very generous' letter Trump left for him in 2021 despite public feud
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Joe Biden has revealed the contents of a handwritten letter President Donald Trump left for him in the Oval Office during the 2021 presidential transition, describing it as “very generous.”
The letter, included in Biden’s upcoming memoir, 'Promise Me, America', contains words of encouragement and praise for Biden’s commitment to the United States. Its contents offer a contrast to the hostility Trump displayed towards Biden publicly during and after the 2020 election.
Trump praised Biden’s leadership and love for America in handwritten note
The letter, dated January 20, 2021, was left in the Oval Office’s Resolute Desk in an envelope addressed to “46,” referring to Biden as the 46th president of the United States. It was written in black Sharpie, addressed “Dear Joe” and signed “Sincerely, Donald.”
In the note, Trump told Biden that his presidency would allow him to shape his place in American history. The president expressed confidence that Biden would remain committed to the country and its people. “You now have the opportunity to choose your place in history, and I know you will be true to yourself and the American people,” Trump wrote.
President Trump's 2021 letter to incoming President Joe Biden has been obtained by The New York Times, which is detailed in Biden's new book. The letter was written in black Sharpie. In the book, Biden described how surprised he was to see how kind and warm Trump was to him. Biden said during his meeting with Trump after the 2024 election, Trump adopted "a tone so friendly that I thought he might be putting me on." "You know, Joe, if it weren’t for politics, I believe we’d be good friends," Trump said, according to the book. The letter from President Trump to Biden is below:
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 10, 2026
“Many presidents have come and gone who simply governed as Republicans or Democrats,” he continued. “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.” Trump also wrote that Biden carried the hopes and dreams of the entire nation on his shoulders.
Biden had acknowledged the existence of the letter shortly after taking office in January 2021, telling reporters that Trump had left him a “very generous letter.” However, he did not disclose its contents at the time.
The letter was first reported by The New York Times ahead of the memoir’s publication, and a source familiar with the book subsequently confirmed the note’s contents. 'Promise Me, America' is scheduled for release on November 17.
Letter contrasts with Trump’s public attacks on Biden and election dispute
The personal tone of the letter, however, stands in contrast to Trump’s public conduct towards Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign and the transition that followed. Trump has repeatedly attacked Biden during the campaign and refused to concede the election after losing.
He also declined to attend Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021, which took place two weeks after his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6.
In his memoir, Biden acknowledged the apparent contradiction in Trump’s behaviour, describing it as “as if there were two Donald Trumps.” The former president also wrote that Trump had “deeply destabilized our democracy” and refused to meet with him before leaving office.
Trump has continued to criticise Biden since leaving the White House, frequently describing him as the worst president in US history. Trump also used an image of an autopen rather than a portrait of Biden in a presidential walk of fame installed at the White House.
