President Donald Trump shared on Tuesday that the letter left in the Resolute Desk by former President Joe Biden was nice, saying he appreciated the message from his predecessor.
“It was a very nice letter. I could show it because I think it was a nice letter,” Trump told reporters. “It was a little bit of an inspirational type of letter. Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is.”
Trump found the letter on Monday night while he was signing executive orders in the Oval Office, and a reporter asked him if he had received the traditional letter from Biden.
Jokingly, Trump said he hadn’t looked for it but opened the top drawer of the iconic desk and pulled the letter out. He thanked the reporter, saying it “could have been years” before he found it on his own.
He held up the letter to show the cameras and those gathered. Written on the envelope was “47,” a nod to Trump’s second presidency.
He told reporters he would read it and discuss it later, and on Tuesday, he said, “It was a positive for him, in writing it. I appreciated the letter.”
While having tea at the White House on Monday before being sworn in, Trump and Biden appeared to have a friendly conversation. At the door of the executive residence, Biden greeted Trump by saying, “Welcome back.”
However, Trump still took a few shots at Biden during his inaugural address and the remainder of the day.
During his speech, Trump said, “We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home.”
Later in the day, he went on to mock Biden with an impression regarding his comments that he still thinks he could have beaten Trump had he stayed in the race.