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Letters left by U.S. presidents to their successors
President Donald Trump (R) was sworn in on January 20, 2025, as the 47th president of the United States. Former President Joe Biden (D) left Trump a letter, continuing a tradition of presidents writing letters to their successors that Ronald Reagan (R) started in 1989.
This page includes transition letters between presidents dating back to Reagan's letter to George H.W. Bush.
Presidential transition letters
The following sections detail transition letters dating back to the letter Ronald Reagan left for George H.W. Bush in 1989.
Biden to Trump
Joe Biden (D) left a letter to Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, during Trump's transition to office. Trump said, "It was a very nice letter. I could show it because I think it was a nice letter. It was a little bit of an inspirational type of letter. Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is." Trump also said, "It was a positive, for him, in writing it. I appreciated the letter."[1]
| “ |
Dear President Trump, As I take leave of this sacred office I wish you and your family all the best in the next four years. 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 in the coming years will be a time of prosperity, peace, and grace for our nation. May God bless you and guide you as He has blessed and guided our beloved country since our founding. |
” |
Trump to Biden
Donald Trump (R) left a letter to Joe Biden (D) on January 20, 2021, during Biden's transition to office. Biden said "The president wrote a very generous letter ... because it was private, I won't talk about it until I talk to him. But it was generous."[4]
Obama to Trump
Barack Obama (D) left a letter to Donald Trump (R) on January 20, 2017, during Trump's transition to office. Trump said, "It [the letter] was long. It was complex. It was thoughtful ... And it took time to do it, and I appreciated it."[5]
| “ |
Dear Mr. President - Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure. This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don’t know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years. First, we’ve both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It’s up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that’s willing to work hard. Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It’s up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that’s expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend. Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions — like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties — that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it’s up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them. And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They’ll get you through the inevitable rough patches. Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can. Good luck and Godspeed, BO[3] |
” |
| —Barack Obama's transition letter to Donald Trump[5] | ||
W. Bush to Obama
George W. Bush left a letter to Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, during Obama's transition to office.
| “ |
Dear Barack, Congratulations on becoming our President. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your life. Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face. There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your “friends” will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me. No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead. God bless you. Sincerely, GW[3] |
” |
| —George W. Bush transition letter to Barack Obama[6] | ||
Clinton to Bush
Bill Clinton left a letter to George W. Bush on January 20, 2001, during Bush's transition to office.
| “ |
Dear George, Today you embark on the greatest venture, with the greatest honor, that can come to an American citizen. Like me, you are especially fortunate to lead our country in a time of profound and largely positive change, when old questions, not just about the role of government, but about the very nature of our nation, must be answered anew. You lead a proud, decent, good people. And from this day you are President of all of us. I salute you and wish you success and much happiness. The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible. My prayers are with you and your family. Godspeed. Sincerely, Bill[3] |
” |
| —Bill Clinton transition letter to George W. Bush[6] | ||
H. Bush to Clinton
George H.W. Bush left a letter on January 20, 1993, to Bill Clinton during Clinton's transition to the presidency.
| “ |
Dear Bill, When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too. I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described. There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course. You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you. Good Luck — George[3] |
” |
| —George H.W. Bush transition letter to Bill Clinton[6] | ||
Reagan to H. Bush
Ronald Reagan left a letter to George H. W. Bush during Bush's transition to office in 1989.
| “ |
Dear George, You'll have moments when you want to use this particular stationary. Well, go to it. George, I treasure the memories we share and wish you all the very best. You'll be in my prayers. God bless you & Barbara. I'll miss our Thursday lunches. Ron[3] |
” |
| —Ronald Reagan transition letter to George H.W. Bush[7] | ||
See also
- Donald Trump presidential transition, 2024-2025
- Joe Biden presidential transition
- Donald Trump presidential transition team
- Presidential election, 2024
- Ronald Reagan
- George H.W. Bush
- Bill Clinton
- Barack Obama
Footnotes
- ↑ The Hill, "Trump said letter from Biden left in Resolute Desk was ‘inspirational,’" January 21, 2025
- ↑ X, "Peter Doocy on January 22, 2025," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Yahoo! News, "Biden says Trump wrote him 'a very generous' letter before he left White House," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 CNN.com, "Exclusive: Read the Inauguration Day letter Obama left for Trump," accessed January 22, 2021
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 New York Times, "The Letters Presidents Leave Their Successors," accessed January 22, 2021
- ↑ The American Presidency Project, "Letter to George Bush," accessed January 23, 2025
