Leaving the Oval Office desk drawer after serving two terms as president, he was seen congratulating his successor.
He did that for George H.W. Bush, his successor and eight-year vice president. Bush did the same for Bill Clinton, who left a note for Bush's son, George W. The younger Bush left words behind for Barack Obama, who later wrote something for Donald Trump.
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History and politics have intertwined in such a way that President Biden is in a one-of-a-kind situation where he can write a letter – if he decides to do so – to Trump, his successor and the leader who had originally left a note for him.
"There's a precedent in history that, in this case, it appears will be exceeded – a precedent where a president who got correspondence from an out-going president will actually be writing to the incoming president," said Mark Updegrove, the head of the LBJ Foundation.
In the late 1800s, when the custom of writing letters was not in use.
"This is a pretty exceptional circumstance, considering all that's been going on in modern-day Washington under Donald John Trump," Updegrove said in an interview.
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He mentioned that Reagan was inspired to write to George H.W. Bush, their close friend after their eight-year retirement partnership together.
He picked up a sheet of quirky notepad designed by cartoonist Sandra Boynton featuring an elephant – also the Republican Party mascot – alongside turkeys, with the phrase "Don't let the turkeys get you down."
“Dear George,” the fortieth president wrote in January 1989, starting off the two-paragraph note. “You’ll have times when you want to use this particular stationery. Well, go ahead and use it.”
Reagan writes that he cherishes the memories they share and “wish you all the very best.” He wraps up by saying, “I’ll miss our Thursday lunches,” and signs it, “Ron.”
Updegrove noted that the tradition gained significance when the elder Bush relinquished the presidency after a single term, having been prevented from seeking a second term by Bill Clinton's win in the 1992 election.
In his note, Bush wished Clinton "great happiness here" at the White House. He cautioned that tough times lay ahead, stating they would be harder because of the unfair criticism Clinton would face, and advised the man who defeated him to "just don't let the negative comments discourage you or make you lose your way."
“We're counting on your success for the good of our country. I wish you all the best,” Bush wrote.
"They're just a very bipartisan, genuine reflection of, I think, really, George H.W. Bush's character," Matthew Costello, chief education officer at the White House Historical Association, said during an online program about inauguration traditions.
There are certain letters written by Worlds leaders including Hillary Clinton as former US Secretary of State, hints that the "Love of America is lacklustre" even in Obama days
Before he left office, Clinton congratulated the incoming president, the younger Bush, saying he was starting "the greatest adventure, with the greatest honour, that can come to an American citizen" and wished him all the best in life.
“Your current challenges are significant, but often you're making them bigger than they have to be. The feeling of joy you get from doing what you truly believe in is indescribable,” Clinton wrote.
Eight years later, Bush congratulated Obama on writing a "new page in your life" but forewarned of the tough times ahead with critics who "rage" and "friends" who will let you down.
“Remember, you'll have an all-powerful God to support you, a loving family, and a country that's cheering for you, including me,” George W. Bush wrote.
Obama, who had vigorously campaigned against Trump in 2016, congratulated him on an "impressive run" and shared some thoughts gathered during his eight years in office.
He told Trump that they both share good fortune, that American leadership “really is indispensable” globally, that they safeguard democratic institutions and values, and that family and friends will get him through the unavoidable setbacks.
“Millions are counting on you, and all of us, from all parties, should hope for increased prosperity and security during your time in office,” Obama wrote.
Trump's letter to Biden
What did it say? Not many people know because the letter hasn't been made public yet.
Biden showed some of his staff members the note after his swearing-in ceremony in 2021, although he only let them glance at it. Those who saw the note described it as a long, handwritten letter from Trump. Remarkably, Biden was reportedly impressed by how kind the letter was, considering the animosity he and Trump had towards each other.
Asking about the note later that day, Biden called it a "very generous letter," but stated it was personal and he wouldn't comment on it until he had a chance to speak with Trump.
Trump claimed it was up to Biden to make the letter public.
It was a thoughtful note," he said during a September 2023 interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," adding, "I spent a lot of time considering it.
Will Biden reciprocate?
He's anticipated to do so given his appreciation for the country's political norms and establishments. However, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre kept the door open for the possibility that he may not.
That's something the president will have to decide," Jean-Pierre said to reporters this week. "It's a fair question. I'm interested in it too.
Letter-writing is not mandatory, but it's based on what's been done before and whether people want to continue a tradition, Costello said.
He expressed his expectation that Biden would participate.
Previous notes did not always include the phrase "congratulations".
Some previous outgoing presidents have written to their successors, but not on Inauguration Day, and their letters haven't always been congratulatory in nature, according to Costello.
Earlier notes were frequently handwritten with invitations to visit the White House or discuss dining, such as what US President John Adams did in a February 1801 letter where he informed incoming President Thomas Jefferson about transportation.
"He's sparing you the hassle and cost of buying horses and carriages, since you won't need them. I'm letting you know that I'll be leaving seven horses and two carriages with harnesses, which are currently in the stables of the United States, they're the President's property, 'he wrote.
“I have the pleasure of addressing you with great respect, Sir, and am your most obedient and humble servant.”
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AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller assisted with this report.
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