Trump thanks Obama for ‘beautiful’ letter

by Rebecca Savransky - 01/22/17 2:51 PM ET

President Donald Trump on Sunday joked that he wouldn’t tell the press what former President Obama wrote to him in the traditional letter the outgoing president left for his successor.

“I just went to the Oval Office and found this beautiful letter from President Obama,” Trump said Sunday, addressing senior staff members before they were sworn in.

“It was really very nice of him to do that and we will cherish that. We will keep that and we won’t even tell the press what’s in that letter.”

{mosads}In the letter President George W. Bush left for Obama, Bush said there would be “trying moments” during his presidency and warned Obama that “critics will rage” and said 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,” Bush wrote.

“No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead.”

In the letter President Bill Clinton wrote to Bush in 2001, Clinton saluted the new president and wished him “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,” Clinton wrote.

“My prayers are with you and your family. Godspeed.”

Tags Bill Clinton Donald Trump