By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted January 27th, 2025
Political communication experts often emphasize that politics is a refine art of humour. Those who understand this point, never close the door permanently to its friendly entertainment context, no matter the degree of differences.
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There’s a humorous anecdote that highlights the lighter side of political transitions, showcasing the tradition of outgoing U.S. presidents leaving notes for their successors on their Oval Office Desk. The exchange underscores that even amid political divides, moments of goodwill and mutual respect can persist, reflecting the human element behind political leadership roles.
US 47th President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening revealed the general content of a letter that was left behind by former President Joe Biden in the Oval Office’s Resolute Desk, which demonstrates this tradition’s enduring charm.
Trump, who didn’t reveal much described the contents of the letter as “very nice” and “inspirational,” acknowledging the significance of such gestures in maintaining a sense of continuity and camaraderie in governance. The detail of addressing the note to “47” adds a touch of humor, keeping with the tradition’s informal and friendly spirit.
“It was a very nice letter,” Trump told reporters during a news conference, his first after returning to office as president. “It was a little bit of an inspirational-type letter. Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is.”
The prospect of releasing the letter publicly adds intrigue, offering the public a glimpse into the personal interactions of their leaders, even as they navigate significant political responsibilities. This narrative not only entertains but reminds us of the importance of humor and respect in politics—qualities that endure beyond terms and titles.
The president added that he might release the letter to the public in the near future because the content was “a positive—for him.” He then stated, “I appreciated the letter.”
“He may have. Don’t they leave it in the desk? I don’t know,” Trump told reporters before he found an envelope with the note. “It could have been years before we found this thing,” he said to the reporter.
The letter was discovered on Monday evening in the Resolute Desk as Trump was signing a slew of executive orders while bantering with reporters about various topics. A reporter asked him whether Biden left the letter to him, which was simply addressed to “47,” referring to Trump.
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The tradition of an outgoing president leaving a letter to the forthcoming commander-in-chief is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 1989, President Ronald Reagan left a note to his successor, President George H.W. Bush.
Since then, outgoing presidents have left notes behind. All subsequent presidents—including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Biden, and Trump—have left letters to their successors.
Biden and Trump are in a unique situation due to Trump becoming the only second president to serve nonconsecutive terms in office, with the only other to do so being President Grover Cleveland in the late 19th century.
After Trump left office for the first time in January 2021, he left a note to Biden, the former president confirmed at the time.
“The president wrote a very generous letter, “Biden told reporters just over four years ago. “Because it was private, I will not talk about it until I talk to him, but it was generous. “
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Years before that, Obama left a letter to his successor that Trump described in early 2017 to ABC News as “long,” “complex,” and “thoughtful,” adding that he “appreciated” the gesture.
The prospect of releasing the letter publicly adds intrigue, offering the public a glimpse into the personal interactions of their leaders, even as they navigate significant political responsibilities. This narrative not only entertains but reminds us of the importance of humor and respect in politics, unarguably, qualities that endure beyond terms and titles.