WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Reagan probably didn’t realize he was starting a tradition when he wrote a letter to congratulate his successor and left it in the drawer of the Oval Office desk after two terms as president, for George H.W. Bush, who had been his vice president for eight years.
Then Bush senior did the same with Bill Clinton and that tradition continued even with Donald Trump, who wrote a letter to Joe Biden, despite not acknowledging his electoral defeat to the Democrat and not participating in the inauguration ceremony.
What did Trump write to Biden?
Almost no one knows because the letter has not been shared with the public.
Biden showed the letter to some of his staff members after his inauguration in 2021, but did not let anyone read it. Others described Trump's letter as long and handwritten, and it is said that Biden was surprised by how kind the letter seemed given the animosity between the two political rivals.
When asked about the letter later that day, Biden replied that it was a "very generous letter," but he considered it private and added that he would not discuss it until he had the opportunity to speak with Trump.
"It was a nice letter," Biden mentioned during an interview in September 2023 with NBC and added, "I spent a lot of time thinking about it."
History and politics have now intertwined to put President Biden in the unique position of writing a letter —if he chooses to do so— to Trump, who is both his successor and the predecessor who left him a letter.
Will Biden continue with the tradition?
It is expected that he will do it, as he is someone who respects traditions and political institutions. But Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, left open the possibility that it may not be the case.
"That will depend on the president," Jean-Pierre told journalists this week. "It's a good question. I'm curious too."
How did the tradition of writing letters begin?
Reagan was inspired to write to George H.W. Bush, who had become his friend during the eight years they were together. He chose a fancy paper illustrated by cartoonist Sandra Boynton with an elephant —the mascot of the Republican Party— surrounded by turkeys and the phrase: "Don't let the turkeys get you down."
"Dear George," wrote the 40th president in January 1989, at the beginning of the two-paragraph letter. "There will be moments when you will want to use this particular paper. Well, do it." He closed with: "I will miss our Thursday lunches," and signed it as "Ron."
Barack Obama, who waged a vigorous campaign against Trump in 2016, congratulated him on a "remarkable contest" and offered some reflections on his eight years in office.
He told Trump that both had been blessed with good fortune, that American leadership "truly is indispensable" in the world, that they are the "guardians" of democratic institutions and traditions, and that their family and friends will accompany them in the "inevitable difficult moments."
“Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of our party, hope for greater prosperity and security during your term,” wrote Obama.