Trump Claims He Left a ‘Nice Note’ for Biden When He Left the White House in 2021

According to reports from The New York Post on Saturday, September 16, 2023, former President Donald Trump revealed in a recent interview that he upheld one piece of White House transition tradition when he left office in 2021.

Despite his absence from President Biden’s inauguration, Trump claimed that he “took a lot of time” to write his successor a “nice note.”

The revelation came during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where Trump discussed his final moments in the White House and the transition to the Biden administration.

In the interview airing Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump dished on the one piece of White House transition tradition he chose to uphold.

“I left him a note,” he told host Kristen Welker.

“I think it was very — it was a nice note. I took a lot of time to think about it.”

“I’d love him to do a great job, even if it was very bad politically,” he added.

In 2021, Biden told reporters that Trump, following a custom started by Ronald Reagan in 1989, had left a message for him on the Resolute Desk of the Oval Office on his last day as commander-in-chief.

“The president wrote a very generous letter,” Biden said, refusing to divulge its contents.

“Because it was private, I will — won’t talk about it until I talk to him,” he explained.

“But it was generous.”

The tradition of outgoing presidents leaving notes for their successors is a long-standing one, symbolizing the peaceful transfer of power that is a cornerstone of American democracy.

Trump’s decision to skip Biden’s inauguration was a departure from this tradition, making his adherence to the practice of leaving a note all the more noteworthy.

The contents of these notes are typically kept private, adding an element of intrigue to Trump’s claim.

It raises questions about what Trump, known for his unconventional approach to politics, might have written in his note to Biden.

The tradition of leaving a note dates back several decades, with each outgoing president penning words of advice, encouragement, or reflection for their successor.

These notes often reveal a sense of camaraderie and respect that transcends political differences.

For instance, George H.W. Bush’s note to Bill Clinton in 1993 expressed his wish for Clinton’s success, stating, “Your success now is our country’s success.”

In contrast to this tradition, Trump’s presidency was marked by deep divisions and contentious politics.

His decision not to attend Biden’s inauguration was seen by many as a rejection of the peaceful transfer of power.

However, his claim of leaving a “nice note” for Biden suggests an acknowledgment of the importance of this tradition.

Regardless of its contents, Trump’s note to Biden serves as a reminder of the enduring traditions that underpin American democracy.

Amid turbulent times and changing political landscapes, these traditions offer a sense of continuity and stability.

As America continues to navigate the challenges and changes brought about by recent events, Trump’s ‘nice note’ serves as a symbol – a symbol of tradition upheld amid unprecedented times.

It is a testament to the enduring nature of American democracy and the peaceful transfer of power that lies at its heart.