In keeping with a long-standing White House tradition, Joe Biden left a farewell letter for President Trump as he returned to the Oval Office. Despite the bitter rivalry that has defined their political relationship, Biden’s note struck a surprisingly gracious tone, wishing Trump success and hoping for the country’s prosperity in the years ahead.
“As I take leave of this sacred office, I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years,” Biden wrote. “The American people – and people around the world – look to this house for steadiness in the inevitable storms of history, and my prayer is that the coming years will be a time of prosperity, peace, and grace for our nation.”
Biden concluded with a call for divine guidance, writing, “May God bless you and guide you as He has blessed and guided our beloved country since our founding.”
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Of course, the letter provides a stark contrast to the contentious political reality between the two men. Biden’s presidency, which was marked by skyrocketing inflation, open border chaos, and foreign policy blunders, saw deep divides across the country—many of which Trump has vowed to repair.
In a humorous moment caught on camera, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy prompted Trump to search for the letter while signing a series of executive orders in the Oval Office. Initially unsure if Biden had left one, Trump quipped, “He may have. Don’t they leave it in the desk? I don’t know.” After locating the white envelope labeled “47,” Trump thanked Doocy, joking, “It could have been years before we found this thing.”
The following day, Trump was asked about the letter’s contents and offered a gracious response. “It was a very nice letter,” Trump told reporters, describing it as “a little bit of an inspirational-type letter. ‘Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is.’ It was a positive, for him, in writing it. I appreciated the letter.”
Biden’s letter echoes past presidential traditions, such as the 2017 note from Barack Obama to Trump, which emphasized the weight of the office and America’s role on the world stage. Despite their sharp differences, both Biden and Trump seem to acknowledge the importance of the tradition—if only symbolically.
With Trump back in the White House, the focus now shifts to his plans to undo Biden’s policies and restore the nation’s standing. Whether Biden’s parting words of “peace and grace” hold any weight remains to be seen.
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