Biden Shares Details of Trump’s 2021 Farewell Letter
WHO:
Newsweek - Joe Biden revealed details about a letter President Trump left for him in the Oval Office.
CNN - The letter was written by President Donald Trump to Biden as Trump prepared to leave the White House.
CNN - White House communications director Steven Cheung commented on the letter and Biden’s account of Trump.
WHAT:
CNN - Trump’s letter struck a different tone from his public statements after the 2020 election, when he repeatedly claimed the election was stolen and challenged the results in court.
CNN - Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress voted to certify the 2020 election results; Congress ultimately certified Biden’s victory.
CNN - Trump did not attend Biden’s inauguration, unlike the custom followed by most living presidents.
CNN - Trump continued to deny the 2020 election results and pardoned more than 1,000 people involved in the Capitol riot after returning to the White House.
Newsweek - Biden described Trump’s letter as “very generous.”
CNN - Trump wrote that presidents who govern as Republicans or Democrats often do not “change history” but are “swept along in its relentless tide”; he added, “This will not happen to you because I know how much you love the American people.”
CNN - Trump wrote that Biden carried “the hopes and dreams of the entire nation” and that “the gravity of that fact” should anchor his decisions.
CNN - Trump wrote that Biden’s strength came from knowing “millions upon millions of people are depending on you,” and that their ambitions and aspirations were the reason Biden was in office.
CNN - Biden wrote that it was “as if there were two Donald Trumps”; he said Trump “deeply destabilized democracy,” yet the letter offered warm wishes “that sounded like it was coming from an old friend.”
CNN - Cheung said Biden “should have heeded the president’s wise words,” accused him of trying to “destroy this country and weaponize the justice system against his political enemies,” and called Biden “a disgrace.”
Drudge Report - The headline quoted Trump telling Biden, “I know how much you love the American people.”
WHERE:
Newsweek - Trump left the letter in the Oval Office.
CNN - Trump wrote the letter while preparing to leave the White House.
WHEN:
CNN - The letter was dated January 20, 2021.
CNN - Biden’s forthcoming book, *Promise Me, America*, is set to be released “next Tuesday.”
WHY:
CNN - Trump’s letter expressed confidence in Biden’s love for the American people and offered him best wishes as he assumed the presidency.
HOW:
CNN - The New York Times obtained an excerpt of Biden’s book and a copy of Trump’s letter.
CNN - CNN reported the book’s account based on an excerpt and a copy of the letter obtained by The New York Times.
CNN - Biden had previously referred to a “very generous letter” from Trump but had not discussed its contents.
(UPDATED November 11, 2026 02:59 UTC)
Biden revealed that Trump left him a warm, encouraging letter in the Oval Office. Trump praised Biden’s love for Americans and urged him to remember their hopes. Biden said the message contrasted sharply with Trump’s actions after the 2020 election.
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(UPDATED November 10, 2026 23:02 UTC)
Biden revealed President Trump left a generous letter for him in the Oval Office. Trump praised Biden’s love for Americans and urged him to keep their hopes in mind. Biden recalled warm wishes alongside his belief that Trump had deeply destabilized democracy.