In a revealing moment on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump shared details about a personal note left for him by Joe Biden before he vacated the Oval Office. During a Q&A session in the White House’s Roosevelt Room, Trump explained that Biden had written him an “inspirational” message that read: “To number 47.” Trump, speaking to reporters, said the letter was “very nice” and carried a tone of encouragement, urging him to “enjoy it” and “do a good job” in his role.
Trump, who was 78 years old at the time, had briefly shown the letter’s envelope, marked with the number “47,” to the press while signing executive orders in the Oval Office. However, he had refrained from opening it publicly until that moment. The letter, a tradition of presidential transitions, was left in the Resolute Desk for Trump to discover after his inauguration.
Trump reflected on the significance of the gesture, calling the message “important” and noting that it highlighted the gravity of the office he was about to assume. He also expressed appreciation for the message, acknowledging that while Biden and he were longtime political rivals, the note was a positive gesture.
In the same media appearance, Trump didn’t hold back in criticizing Biden’s pardons. He blasted Biden for issuing clemency to various individuals, including his own family members, accusing the president of pardoning “criminals.” Trump questioned why Biden had pardoned figures like Liz Cheney, Anthony Fauci, and Mark Milley, calling it part of a pattern of favoritism.
“Why did he give a pardon to the J6 unselect committee?” Trump asked, referring to Cheney and others involved in the investigation into the January 6th Capitol riot. “And why did he give pardons to all his relatives?” Trump added, suggesting that Biden’s brother, James, had made “millions” in questionable business dealings. These comments added fuel to the ongoing debate about Biden’s actions, with Trump calling for more transparency and accountability regarding the pardons.
For many conservatives, Trump’s remarks serve as a stark reminder of the differences between his presidency and Biden’s, highlighting a consistent theme of questioning the fairness of the current administration’s decisions.