“I know how much you love the American people” – Trump surprises with conciliatory letter

US President Donald Trump left his successor Joe Biden a surprisingly conciliatory message at the end of his first term in office in January 2021. “You will remain true to yourself and the American people,” Trump wrote in a letter to Biden, according to his new memoir.

The New York Times first reported this. The AP news agency was able to view a copy of the two-page letter. Trump had written it on White House stationery with his signature black Sharpie marker and addressed it "to '46'" - a reference to Biden as the 46th President of the United States.

Trump, who had long denied his defeat in the 2020 presidential election and claimed that the victory was stolen from him, attested to Biden's ability to make history in the letter. “Many presidents have come and gone who simply governed as Republicans or Democrats,” Trump wrote. "In the grand scheme of things, they haven't changed history, just been swept along by its relentless current. That won't happen to you, because I know how much you love the American people."

According to the memoir, Biden showed the letter to some employees after taking office in 2021, but initially kept it under wraps. He found him to be “very benevolent” – especially given the animosity between the two political rivals at the time. Trump had foregone other traditions of the presidential transition, such as attending Biden's inauguration or receiving the future president and first lady for tea at the White House.

Trump had said he thought it was up to Biden to make the letter public. In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" in September 2023, he called the letter "a nice message," adding, "I've given it a lot of thought."

In his memoirs “Promise Me, America,” which will be published on November 17th, Biden also sharply criticizes Trump. He particularly condemns his role in the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Trump led an insurrection to stay in power despite his election defeat, writes Biden. “What Trump did on January 6, 2021 must never be forgotten,” Biden wrote. “It should haunt him to the grave.”

The White House reacted to the publication with sharp words. Communications director Steven Cheung called former President Biden a “disgrace” and accused him of wanting to destroy the country and exploit the justice system against political opponents.