President Joe Biden says his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, left him a “generous letter.”
After signing several executive orders in the Oval Office, Biden was asked about Trump’s letter, he said, “The president wrote a very generous letter. Because it is private, I will not talk about it until I talk to him.”
“But, it was generous,” he added.
Watch the video below:
BREAKING: Pres. Biden tells @bgittleson former Pres. Trump wrote him "a very generous letter," declines to discuss contents "because it was private." https://t.co/qjeUynJUdz #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/AyRExUYtEx
— ABC News (@ABC) January 20, 2021
While Trump did not follow the tradition of attending his successor’s inauguration, he did follow in the footsteps of other former presidents who left notes for their successors.
Trump has apparently not spoken with Biden. Incoming White House communications director Kate Bedingfield told ABC News’ George Stephonapolous that Biden “has not” had direct communication with Trump.
In a final message as president on Tuesday, Trump extended his best wishes to Biden without mentioning him by name.
“This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous. We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck — a very important word,” Trump said.
While Trump has wished his successor luck, Biden is not wasting any time getting work trying to undo many of Trump’s policies. Just hours after being sworn in, he signed several executive orders to fulfill his campaign promises.
His new executive actions will implement a mask-wearing mandate on federal property and reverse Trump’s decision to exit from the Paris Climate Accord.
He is also expected to sign executive orders that would reverse Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization and end the travel ban on Muslim majority nations.