[imagesource: Pete Souza / The White House]

The outgoing Trump administration, and the former president himself, broke with tradition in many ways since the November election saw Joe Biden claim victory.

Donald Trump refused to concede the election, leading to embarrassing scenes like Rudy Giuliani sweating up a storm, and countless courtroom defeats.

He also refused to welcome Joe and Jill Biden to the White House on Inauguration Day, hopping in a chopper and ending his tenure as president with ‘YMCA’ pumping in the background, as well as becoming the first president to skip his successor’s inauguration since Andrew Johnson in 1869.

You get the picture.

It came as a surprise, then, that Trump did leave a note for Biden in the Oval Office, which the 46th president described as follows:

President Biden on the letter that former President Trump left him: “The president wrote a very generous letter. Because it was private, I will not talk about it until I talk to him. But it was generous.” https://t.co/1LntlB7T7E pic.twitter.com/iqFE7ATLr4

— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 20, 2021

Trump is rumoured to have described it as “the most generous letter”, adding that “nobody has ever seen a more generous letter”, before blaming Obama for something.

Don’t worry, Donnie – you and Kim Jong Un will always have your special letters.

For more on the history of the Oval Office letter, here’s The Washington Post:

The tradition started three decades ago with a silly illustration from a children’s book author. It was Jan. 20, 1989, and Ronald Reagan was passing the presidential baton to his vice president, George H.W. Bush.

Before leaving the Oval Office, Reagan wrote a note on some stationery illustrated by Sandra K. Boynton, showing a cartoon elephant covered in turkeys, with the caption, “Don’t let the turkeys get you down.”

Reagan had served his two terms, was handing over to his vice president and friend, and was clearly in a good mood:

The next letter, from George H.W. Bush to incoming president Bill Clinton, was more difficult to write, given that Bush had been defeated after a single term by a political foe.

Despite this, Bush penned a gracious letter that read as follows:

“Dear Bill,

When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.

I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.

There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.

You will be our President when you read this note. 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 —

George”

You can read more about the letter from Clinton to George W. Bush, and Bush to Obama, here, but let’s get to the note that the 44th president left for Trump way back in 2017:

“Dear Mr. President –

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.

This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don’t know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful.

Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.

First, we’ve both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. 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.

Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It’s up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that’s expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.

Third, 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.

And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They’ll get you through the inevitable rough patches.

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.

Good luck and Godspeed,

Trump would go on to say that the letter was “thoughtful”, and he was so appreciative that he rang Obama to thank him.

In due course, I am sure we will find out what Trump wrote for Biden, as the letters are historically archived.

Perhaps Donald should have had a word with Melania, who outsourced her “thank you” notes to White House residence staff who have cared for her and her family for the last four years, reports CNN:

The 80 or so staff who received the type written notes were under the assumption the first lady had written them herself. Instead, Trump tasked a lower-level East Wing staffer with writing them “in her voice,” and she signed her name.

…it is customary for first ladies — and occasionally presidents as well — to write cards or short letters of gratitude to members of household staff, especially the ones whom they get to know extremely well. Much of the correspondence includes personal anecdotes and the letters become “cherished keepsakes” for the residence staff, says the source.

Way to ‘Be Best’, Melania. Sure does say a great deal about a person.

If you came for the memes of Donald’s letter to Biden, scrawled in crayon and so forth, I will direct you here.

While you’re at it, also enjoy some Bernie Sanders memes, which were helluva popular.

[sources:washpost&cnn]