Former President Joe Biden has pulled back the curtain on a private note from his predecessor, describing it as a “very generous” letter that offered an unexpected moment of goodwill between two political adversaries after a bitterly contested election. The letter, which Trump left in the Oval Office on Inauguration Day 2021, is now set to be published in full in Biden’s upcoming memoir, Promise Me, America.
According to an excerpt obtained by The New York Times, Trump wrote: “You now have the opportunity to choose your place in history, and I know you will be true to yourself and the American people.” He went on to contrast Biden with previous presidents, writing, “Many presidents have come and gone who simply governed as Republicans or Democrats. Largely, they did not change history, they were just swept along in its relentless tide. This will not happen to you because I know how much you love the American people.”
The letter, addressed “To ‘46,’” referencing Biden’s place in the presidential line of succession, was left in an envelope. Biden had acknowledged its existence shortly after taking office, calling it “very generous,” but he had kept its contents private until now.
The White House has confirmed the letter’s authenticity but was quick to criticize Biden’s handling of the message. Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement, “Joe Biden should have heeded the President’s wise words, but instead he tried to destroy this country and weaponize the justice system against his political enemies. Biden is a disgrace, and America is better off with him no longer as president.”
The letter stands in sharp contrast to Trump’s public treatment of Biden. During the 2020 campaign, Trump repeatedly attacked Biden, and he refused to concede the election, breaking with tradition by declining to attend Biden’s inauguration. That ceremony took place just two weeks after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, a day that Biden has often cited as a defining moment of Trump’s presidency.
In his memoir, set for release on Nov. 17, Biden reflects on the contradiction, writing that it was “as if there were two Donald Trumps.” He notes that Trump “deeply destabilized our democracy” and declined to meet with him before leaving office.
The revelation comes amid ongoing political tensions, with Trump continuing to question election integrity and Democrats pushing back on his repeated claims of fraud. The letter offers a rare glimpse of civility between the two, though it remains unclear whether it has any bearing on their current relationship.
Biden’s memoir promises to offer an insider’s view of his presidency, including his health challenges and his administration’s policy battles. The publication is expected to reignite debate over the legacy of both men, with Republicans already seeking to shape the narrative ahead of 2028.
