Former U.S. President Joe Biden has revealed the contents of the letter that Donald Trump left for him in the Oval Office on January 20, 2021, when his first presidential term ended, a message filled with words of encouragement and good wishes that stands in contrast to the political attacks the Republican had directed at his successor.
The letter is reproduced in Promise Me, America, Biden's new memoir, which will be released on November 17.
Its content was exclusively revealed by The New York Times this week.
Written by hand on official White House stationery, with Trump’s characteristic black marker, the letter was dated on the day of Biden's inauguration.
The envelope bore a reference to number 46, corresponding to the position the Democrat would hold on the list of presidents of the United States.
"Dear Joe": the words Trump left for Biden
The letter begins with a personal greeting and a reflection on the historical significance of holding the presidency of the United States.
"Dear Joe: Coming to work every day in the Oval Office is an unimaginable blessing. History resonates in every wall, in every statue, in every beautiful painting, and in every corner of this magical place," wrote Trump.
Next, the Republican referred to the legacy that his successor would have the opportunity to build during his term: “Now you have the chance to choose your place in history, and I know that you will stay true to yourself and to the American people.”
Trump also reflected on the presidents who preceded him and expressed his confidence that Biden would be able to make his own mark.
"Many presidents have come and gone, limiting themselves to governing as Republicans or Democrats. To a large extent, they did not change history, but simply allowed themselves to be swept along by its relentless tide.", he pointed out.
The following passage contains one of the most striking assertions in the letter, particularly coming from a president who had just spent months questioning the legitimacy of Biden's electoral victory.
"This will not happen to you, because I know how much you care for the American people," Trump added.
The Republican continued with a reflection on the responsibility of governing and the expectations placed on those who occupy the White House.
"You are not only connected to the past, but you also carry on your shoulders the hopes and dreams of the entire nation. The weight of this fact never leaves you; it is the anchor that supports every decision you make."
In another excerpt, Trump encouraged Biden to find strength in the trust that millions of citizens had placed in him: “Your strength, your deepest reserve of energy, comes from knowing that millions and millions of people depend on you.”
The message added: "Your ambitions and aspirations are the reason you are here, with so many counting on your success."
The letter concluded with a blessing for Biden and his wife, Jill, and was signed simply as "Donald."
Biden was baffled: "It was as if there were two Donald Trumps."
In his memoirs, Biden acknowledges that the content of the letter surprised him due to the stark contrast between those private words and Trump's public behavior during the presidential transition.
“It was as if there were two Donald Trumps”, wrote the former president.
Biden recalled that his predecessor had "deeply destabilized our democracy" and that he had not offered the traditional meeting between the outgoing and incoming presidents to facilitate the transfer of power.
“But there she was, wishing me the best with warm words that seemed to come from an old friend,” she recounted.
The surprise had concrete precedents.
Trump had rejected the results of the November 2020 presidential election, promoted legal challenges, and pressured his allies to try to prevent the certification of his defeat.
On January 6, 2021, just two weeks before the inauguration, a crowd of his supporters stormed the Capitol while Congress was certifying the election results.
Trump also did not attend Biden's inauguration, breaking a tradition of institutional continuity that outgoing presidents had upheld for more than a century.
Despite that confrontation, Biden had already publicly acknowledged the cordiality of the letter.
On January 20, 2021, when asked by reporters, he described it as "very generous", although he refused to reveal its contents because he believed it was a private communication.
The contrast with Trump's later attacks
The conciliatory tone of the letter also contrasts with the criticisms Trump has maintained against Biden since his return to the White House in January 2025.
The Republican continues to question the results of the 2020 elections and has repeatedly blamed his successor for the country's economic and political issues.
In the gallery of presidential portraits installed in the White House, Trump replaced Biden's image with that of an automatic signature device, known as autopen, in reference to his accusations regarding the use of that mechanism during the Democratic administration.
The White House responds with criticism of Biden
The disclosure of the letter prompted a response from the current communication team at the White House.
Steven Cheung, director of presidential communications, stated to The New York Times that Biden should have followed the advice that Trump had left him in writing.
"Joe Biden should have listened to the wise words of the president, but instead, he tried to destroy this country and weaponize the justice system against his political enemies," Cheung stated.
The spokesman added, "Biden is a disgrace and the United States is better off now that he is no longer president."
Biden will limit the promotion of his memoirs due to cancer
The release of Promise Me, America comes as Biden continues to receive treatment for the aggressive prostate cancer with bone metastasis diagnosed in May 2025.
The former president, 83 years old, explained recently that his health condition will limit the public activities planned to promote the book.
"While I was writing the book, I was diagnosed with cancer, an illness that millions of Americans and their families know all too well," he noted.
"Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down," he added.
Biden acknowledged that, due to his treatment, he will not be able to participate in as many conversations and presentations about his memoirs as he had planned.
The book, set to be published on Tuesday, November 17, discusses his presidency, the pandemic, the wars in Ukraine and Afghanistan, and his decision to withdraw from the campaign for re-election in 2024.
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