Biden says Trump left him ‘generous’ letter, but won’t give details
President Biden on Wednesday said former President Trump left him a “very generous letter” before departing the White House, though he would not elaborate on what it said.
“The president wrote a very generous letter,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office, where he signed the first executive orders of his presidency.
“Because it was private, I won’t talk about it until I talk to him,” added Biden, wearing a mask. “But it was generous.”
A White House official confirmed earlier in the day that Trump left Biden a note, keeping with a presidential tradition where the departing commander-in-chief leaves behind a personal message for their successor.
But it was unclear whether Trump would offer any kind of personal message to Biden given he has refused to concede that he lost the election fairly and has yet to refer to Biden by name when speaking of the incoming administration.
Trump did not attend Biden’s inauguration earlier Wednesday. Instead, Trump spoke at a send-off ceremony at Joint Base Andrews before flying on Air Force One to Florida before noon.
“Goodbye, we love you, we will be back in some form,” Trump said, as he closed his remarks to supporters. “Have a good life, we will see you soon.”