While signing documents in the Oval Office, Donald Trump was asked by reporters whether Joe Biden left him a letter. Trump then opened his desk drawer and discovered that there was indeed a letter there. – Thank you, Peter. It would be years before I found him here, Trump said to the cameras.
Shortly after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United Statesduring an almost hour-long ceremony at the White House, Donald Trump signed over 20 documents. The signing of them was interrupted by an impromptu press conference during which the US president was asked, among other things, whether he was considering sending American special forces to Mexico against cartels, Trump said it “could happen.” “Stranger things have happened,” he added.
Trump found a letter from Biden
At one point, one of the journalists asked Trump if Joe Biden he left a letter for him. – Maybe he did it. “Just a moment,” the American leader replied, then stopped signing the document and opened his desk drawer. – Maybe he left a letter in the desk? I don't know. Oh, it is. Thank you Peter. It could be years before I found him here,” Trump continued, pulling out an envelope from a drawer with the number “47” written on the outside. Donald Trump, in his second term, is the 47th president of the United States.
– Maybe we can read this letter together? – Trump said when asked if he would open the envelope. – Maybe I'll read the letter myself first. Peter, thank you, I might not have noticed him for many months – emphasized the US president. He added that he once left a letter for Joe Biden in the same place.
Donald Trump with a letter from Joe Biden, January 20, 2025.PAP/EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL
Letter from the President of the USA
The outgoing US president leaving a letter for his successor is a tradition that has been going on for 36 years. It was initiated in 1989 by Ronald Reagan, who, after two terms in the White House, left a letter to his replacement, George HW Bush, previously his deputy for eight years.
Donald Trump with a letter from Joe Biden, January 20, 2025.PAP/EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/JIM LO SCALZO / POOL