Biden’s Book Reveals Trump’s 2021 Letter of Good Wishes
On November 10, excerpts from Joe Biden’s forthcoming book revealed the contents of a letter Donald Trump left for him at the White House on January 20, 2021. Biden had previously described the note as generous but had not discussed what it said. The book reproduces the letter in full and is scheduled for release on November 17.
Trump wrote that he believed Biden loved the American people and would carry the nation’s hopes and dreams. The letter did not criticize Biden or dispute his election victory, a contrast with Trump’s public claims that the 2020 election was stolen and his efforts to challenge its results. Trump did not attend Biden’s inauguration.
Biden writes that the note seemed to come from a friend, despite what he described as Trump’s destabilizing effect on democracy. White House communications director Steven Cheung responded that Biden should have followed Trump’s advice, and accused him of trying to harm the country and use the justice system against political opponents. Biden has said cancer treatment will limit his public appearances to promote the book.
Trump’s Private Praise Contrasts With His Election Attacks
On November 10, excerpts from Joe Biden’s forthcoming book brought to light a stark divide between Donald Trump’s private words and his public conduct after losing the 2020 election. Trump’s January 20, 2021, letter wished Biden well and said he knew Biden loved the American people. The book is scheduled for release on November 17.
The note avoided the accusations Trump made publicly as he challenged the election results, which culminated in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Trump also skipped Biden’s inauguration and continues to deny the 2020 results. The contrast makes the letter’s gracious tone all the more striking.
Biden writes that Trump’s note sounded like it came from an old friend even though he believes Trump deeply destabilized democracy. The White House response faulted Biden for failing to heed Trump’s advice and accused him of weaponizing the justice system. Biden says cancer treatment will limit his appearances promoting the book.
Biden’s Book Uses Trump’s Private Note to Renew Political Attacks
On November 10, excerpts from Joe Biden’s forthcoming book showed Trump offering his successor warm wishes in a January 20, 2021, letter. Trump wrote that he knew Biden loved the American people and urged him to recognize the hopes resting on the presidency. Biden’s book is due November 17.
Biden presents the note as evidence of a jarring split between Trump’s private generosity and his public record, saying Trump destabilized democracy. But the letter itself did not attack Biden or challenge his victory. The White House communications director said Biden should have followed Trump’s advice and accused him of using the justice system against political opponents.
Trump’s letter came after he had challenged the 2020 election results, and he did not attend Biden’s inauguration. Biden’s book revisits that period while interpreting the note through a sharply critical view of Trump. Biden has said treatment for cancer will restrict his public appearances to promote the book.
Reported by The Daily Wire, CNN, The Boston Globe, Raw Story, The Daily Beast, Newsweek, WTOP, MSNBC.
