Biden plans to leave Trump letter, following modern presidential tradition

President Joe Biden plans to continue a modern presidential tradition by leaving a letter for President-elect Donald Trump before he officially leaves office.

This gesture comes four years after President Trump, who did not attend Biden’s inauguration after refusing to accept his election victory, left Biden a letter on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. The contents of Trump’s letter have never been made public, but Biden later described it as “very generous,” Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

At the time, a senior aide to Trump described the letter as a “personal note” that expressed wishes for the success of the country and for the new administration to care for the nation.

It has become a modern tradition for outgoing presidents to write a letter to their successor, leaving it on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. While Trump was known for disregarding many traditions, those close to him in 2021 explained that his fascination with the letter former President Barack Obama left for him when he took office led him to continue this tradition. As previously reported, Trump was so moved by the letter that he attempted to call Obama immediately after reading it, but the two never connected as Obama was traveling to California at the time.

Biden and Trump are scheduled to share several moments together on Monday, including a tea and coffee reception with their spouses at the White House. The two will also ride together in the presidential limousine to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony. This marks a return to the tradition that outgoing President Obama followed when he escorted Trump to the inauguration in 2017.

However, the moment could be tense, given that Trump spent his rally speech criticizing Biden’s legacy.

“Tomorrow at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand-new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump said at the rally in Washington, D.C. “We’re not going to take it anymore.”

By Vafa Guliyeva