Trump's 2021 letter to Biden revealed
The gist
Biden published the full text of Trump's 2021 letter in his memoir "Promise Me, America."
The warm note contrasts with Trump's refusal to attend Biden's inauguration.
How it unfolded
- Jan 20, 2021Trump, then 74, left a letter dated Jan. 20, 2021, in an envelope addressed "To '46'" for Biden, written in black Sharpie on official White House stationery; Trump did not attend the inauguration, flying to Palm Beach instead.
- Jan 20, 2021Biden told reporters shortly after taking office that Trump had left him a "very generous letter" but declined to disclose its contents.
- Sep 2023Trump said in an NBC "Meet the Press" interview that it was up to Biden to share the letter, calling it "a nice note" and saying "I took a lot of time in thinking about it."
Key terms
- inauguration
- The day a new U.S. president is sworn into office, held every four years after the election.
- stormed the Capitol
- The date in 2021 when a mob of Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol to try to block certification of the presidential election.
- Sharpie
- A brand of permanent markers and other writing implements made by Newell Brands.
Source: Wikipedia