President Trump’s Private Letter to Biden Revealed After Nearly Six Years, Showing Unexpected Praise for His Political Rival
A private letter President Trump left for Joe Biden upon departing the White House in January 2021 has been revealed nearly six years later, showing an unexpectedly gracious message to his longtime political rival.
The handwritten letter appears in Biden’s upcoming memoir, Promise Me, America, scheduled for release November 17. The New York Times first reported its contents, and the Associated Press reviewed a photocopy of the two-page message written on official White House stationery.
Rather than revisiting their political disagreements, Trump reflected on the responsibilities of the presidency and the importance of serving the American people. He encouraged Biden to appreciate the history surrounding the Oval Office and recognize the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
Trump expressed confidence in Biden’s commitment to the country, writing that he knew how deeply his successor cared about the American people. He also emphasized that millions of Americans would depend on Biden’s decisions and leadership.
The message was particularly surprising given the contentious circumstances surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Trump had challenged the results and declined to attend Biden’s inauguration, but he continued the presidential tradition of leaving a personal letter for his successor.
Biden acknowledged receiving the message on his first day in office, describing it as “very generous.” However, he declined to reveal its contents, explaining that he considered the correspondence private.
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
In a 2023 interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump confirmed that he had written a thoughtful message to Biden and said he had devoted considerable time to preparing it.
Biden’s memoir reveals that he was struck by the contrast between Trump’s private encouragement and their public political confrontations. The former president described the letter as unusually warm given their history.
The disclosure has also prompted a response from the Trump White House. Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized Biden’s record, arguing that he had failed to follow the principles expressed in Trump’s message.
The correspondence offers a rare glimpse into the private relationship between two presidents who have spent years opposing one another politically.
Despite their disagreements, Trump chose to recognize the significance of the presidency and offer his successor encouragement as he assumed office.
The letter now provides a notable historical record of the 2021 transition, demonstrating that even one of America’s most contentious presidential rivalries included a moment of personal goodwill.