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Letters to the Successors of US Presidents

VN (according to VnExpress) January 23, 2025 07:43

Ronald Reagan may not have known that the few notes he left for his successor in the Oval Office desk drawer would become a tradition.

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Letters to successors from former Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Photo: AP

In 1989, former US President Ronald Reagan left a scribbled note for George HW Bush, his successor and former Vice President, on a piece of paper with the words "don't let the turkeys get you down" and an illustration of an elephant, the Republican Party mascot, being overpowered by turkeys.

"Dear George, you will want to use this note at some point. Use it when you want," Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, began the note sent back to his successor.

Former President Reagan added that he cherished the memories the two had during their eight years working together.

"I will pray for you. God bless you and Barbara. I will also miss our Thursday lunches," Reagan concluded.

Former President Bush followed suit in 1993 when he wrote to Bill Clinton, the Democratic president-elect who defeated him in the previous election, said Mark Updegrove, president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation.

“It was a much more difficult letter to write. But it helped cement this tradition,” said Andrew Busch, a political scientist at the University of Tennessee.

In the letter, Mr. Bush wished the new President Clinton "happiness" in the White House. He said he had never felt lonely here like many US Presidents have described.

"There will be difficult times, made even more difficult by criticism that you feel is unfair. I am not good at giving advice, but do not let critics discourage you or cause you to deviate," he wrote.

Mr. Bush also did not forget to send his best wishes to his successor and his family, emphasizing that "his success now is the success of our country. I support him very much."

"I think former President George H.W. Bush's character truly reflects the spirit of bipartisanship," Matthew Costello, director of the White House Historical Association, commented on the letter.

After eight years of Clinton's rule, the White House was once again handed over to the Bush family. George W. Bush, son of former President George H. W. Bush, was elected President after defeating incumbent Democratic Vice President Al Gore in 2000.

Mr Clinton wrote in the letter that President Bush was about to embark on "the greatest adventure and the greatest honor an American citizen can have" and wished his successor "much success and happiness".

"The burden he now carries is great but often exaggerated. The joy of doing what he believes is right is indescribable," he wrote.

In 2009, before leaving the White House, President Bush left a letter to his successor Barack Obama in the top drawer of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, congratulating Mr. Obama on opening "a wonderful chapter in his life."

"There will be challenging times. Critics will rage. Friends will disappoint you. But you will always have Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a nation, including me, to support you. No matter what happens, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you lead," Bush wrote.

In late 2016, Donald Trump surprised the United States and the world by winning the presidential election against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Obama then sent Trump one of the longest letters a predecessor had ever sent to a new leader of the White House.

This is also the first letter in which the writer does not address the recipient by his name as usual, but rather formally calls him "Mr. President". In the letter, Mr. Obama expressed his respect for the political success of Mr. Trump, who started out as a businessman.

"Millions of people have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for prosperity and security during your tenure," Obama wrote.

Mr Obama shared some thoughts after eight years in the White House, telling Mr Trump that they were both lucky and that US leadership was “truly indispensable” to the world. The former president stressed that they were defenders of democratic institutions and traditions.

"Michelle and I wish you and Melania the best as you embark on this great adventure. Please know that we stand ready to help in any way we can," he wrote.

Ông Trump cầm bức thư của ông Biden lên khoe với các phóng viên trong Phòng Bầu dục vào ngày 20/1. Ảnh: AP
Mr. Trump held up Mr. Biden's letter to reporters in the Oval Office on January 20. Photo:AP

After ending his first term in the White House in chaos, President Trump decided not to attend Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021. However, he still left his predecessor a letter.

Mr Biden showed the contents of the letter to his aides but did not release it publicly, instead calling it a “generous letter”. Mr Trump said it was up to Mr Biden whether to share it or not.

Former President Biden also left a letter for Mr. Trump in the Resolute Desk drawer in the Oval Office on January 20 before leaving. Mr. Trump said that in the letter, the former President advised him to enjoy his term and emphasized the importance of this position.

"It says 'To the 47th President,'" Trump said. "It's a very nice letter and basically inspirational. Enjoy it, do your job."

President Trump said he would release the letter later, as it would be "a positive thing" for his predecessor.

Observers say that the letters are mostly written by US Presidents in a very different tone from the arguments and harsh comments during their terms. Most of the predecessors give advice and even good luck wishes to their successors.

“The letters show that the presidency is a challenging position and requires moving beyond partisanship,” said Andrew Busch, a political scientist at the University of Tennessee.

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Letters to the Successors of US Presidents