As President Joe Biden prepares to leave office, it's uncertain if he will follow the tradition of leaving a note for his successor, Donald Trump. The tradition, started by President Ronald Reagan, involves each president leaving a message for the next, often expressing well wishes and advice. This tradition has been followed by every president since Reagan, with notes being passed between presidents from both major political parties.
As President Joe Biden prepares to pass the baton to President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, it's unclear if Biden will follow the tradition of leaving his successor a note in the Oval Office. President Ronald Reagan started the ritual in 1989, according to the Washington Post, when he left a note for his former running mate, President George H.W. Bush. He used light-hearted stationery that said, 'Don’t let the turkeys get you down,' with a drawing of turkeys climbing on top of an elephant.
Reagan wrote, 'I treasure the memories we share and I wish you all the very best. You’ll be in my prayers. God bless you & Barbara. I’ll miss our Thursday lunches.' Every president since has taken part in the tradition. But since Reagan's letter to Bush, each handover has been from a Democrat to a Republican or vice versa. Bush, who lost the 1992 election to Bill Clinton, said to the nation's new leader, 'Don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.' 'You will be our President when you read this note,' he wrote. 'I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you. Good Luck.' In 2001, President Bill Clinton met with President-elect George W. Bush, Dec. 19, 2000, at the White House for discussions on the transition of power. 'Like me, you are especially fortunate to lead our country in a time of profound and largely positive change, when old questions, not just about the role of government, but about the very nature of our nation, must be answered anew,' Clinton said. 'You lead a proud, decent, good people. And from this day you are President of all of us. I salute you and wish you success and much happiness.' 'The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible,' he wrote. 'My prayers are with you and your family. Godspeed.' In 2009, George W. Bush wrote to President Barack Obama, 'Congratulations on becoming our President. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your life.' 'Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face,' he said. 'There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your 'friends' will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me. No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead. God bless you.' Behind the scenes as President Barack Obama says farewell to former President George W. Bush at the Capital after being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States at the Capitol, Jan. 20, 2009. President Barack Obama shakes hugs former president George W. Bush during Obama's inauguration as the 44th President at the Capitol, Jan. 20, 2009. When Obama handed off to Trump in 2017, he wrote to his successor, 'Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.'. 'Not everyone is so lucky. It’s up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that’s willing to work hard.' Obama noted later in the letter, 'We are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it’s up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.' He concluded by saying, 'Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.' President Donald Trump and former president Barack Obama stand on the steps of the Capitol with First Lady Melania Trump and Michelle Obama, Jan. 20, 2017. Trump described Obama's letter as 'long,' 'beautiful' and 'so well-written, so thoughtful.' Then, in 2021, despite the contentious handover from Trump to Biden when Trump refused to admit he lost the 2020 election, Trump did follow tradition and leave Biden a note.
PRESIDENT BIDEN DONALD TRUMP TRADITION OVAL OFFICE NOTE POLITICAL HISTORY
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