Trump's 2021 Letter to Biden: A Private Praise Revealed in New Memoir
The outgoing president's handwritten note, which called Biden generous and true to the people, appears in 'Promise Me, America,' which releases next week.
By Alina Marshall ·
Two pages of handwritten text reveal a private sentiment that President Donald Trump held for his predecessor. The document, dated January 2021, contains a direct message from Trump to Joe Biden. It was written on White House stationery in black Sharpie ink. The note was addressed to '46,' a reference to Biden's position as the 46th U.S. president. This letter emerged through the release of Biden's memoir, 'Promise Me, America.'
The memoir is scheduled for release on November 17. The New York Times first reported the inclusion of the letter on Tuesday. The Associated Press reviewed a photocopy of the document. Trump, who publicly disputed the 2020 election results for years, privately offered praise to the incoming president. He wrote that he believed Biden 'will be true to yourself and the American people.'
Biden showed the note to select staff members after his inauguration in 2021. He did not allow anyone else to read it at the time. Later that day, he described the letter as 'very generous.' He stated that he considered the note to be private. At the time of the transition, Biden expressed surprise at the gracious tone of the message. This reaction came despite the visible animosity between the two political rivals.
Trump bypassed several traditional transition rituals during that period. He did not attend Biden's inauguration. He also skipped the customary White House tea for the incoming president and first lady. In a September 2023 interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Trump addressed the letter. He called it 'a nice note' and said he took considerable time thinking about the message. He stated that it was up to Biden to decide whether to share it.
The letter contains specific language about presidential legacy. Trump wrote, 'Many presidents have come and gone who simply governed as Republicans or Democrats.' He added that these leaders 'did not change history, they were just swept along in its relentless tide.' He concluded that this would not happen to Biden because of the latter's love for the American people.
The memoir offers a contrasting view of Trump's presidency in its other sections. An excerpt published Monday in The Atlantic details Biden's assessment of the damage inflicted during Trump's first term. Biden described an administration determined to 'tear down institutions and inflame hatreds.' He cited the Department of Government Efficiency as a key example of aggressive policy reversals.
Biden used strong language to characterize Trump's approach to governance. He described his predecessor and successor as having a 'dismissive and destructive nature.' Biden wrote that Trump seemed unable to tolerate the idea that someone else's accomplishments might be worth building on. He framed the relationship as one of tearing down rather than constructing.
The harshest criticism in the memoir focuses on the events of January 6, 2021. Biden wrote that Trump 'led an insurrection' during the certification of the 2020 election. He stated that Trump's goal was to remain in power after being voted out. Biden asserted, 'What Trump did on January 6, 2021, should never be forgotten.' He added that the event should follow Trump to his grave.
The White House responded to the memoir's release and the letter's emergence. Communications director Steven Cheung spoke to the media regarding both items. He referred to the former president as 'a disgrace.' Cheung said Trump should have heeded the president's wise words. He accused Trump of trying to destroy the country and weaponize the justice system against political enemies.
