Biden’s Memoir Reveals Trump’s 2021 Transition Letter and 2024 Handover Details

Key points

• Biden reprints the full text of a letter dated Jan. 20, 2021, which Trump left in the Oval Office on White House stationery, signed with a black Sharpie.
• The 2021 letter, addressed to '46,' contained no criticism of Biden or challenges to the 2020 election results, instead offering poetic remarks about the White House experience.
• Biden describes a two-hour transition meeting in November 2024 where Trump praised his job creation record and suggested they would be friends if not for politics.
• The memoir, releasing Nov. 17, includes Biden’s assertion that Trump’s actions on Jan. 6, 2021, should 'follow him to his grave.'
• Biden notes that Trump’s 2024 transition meeting focused on global leaders' personalities rather than substantive policy issues, despite the lengthy duration of the conversation.

Background

This release follows earlier coverage of Biden’s memoir, which has been criticized for its sharp tone toward Trump’s administration. Biden, currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, has scaled back his promotional tour due to health constraints. The memoir also addresses his withdrawal from the 2024 race and his views on Trump’s dismantling of federal institutions and climate policies. Recent political tensions, including Trump’s denial of the 2026 midterm election results, have amplified the relevance of Biden’s critiques regarding election integrity and democratic norms.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times emphasizes the historical significance of the 2021 letter, highlighting its discordance with Trump’s public rhetoric at the time and noting that Biden had previously refused to discuss its contents. The Atlantic focuses on the 2024 transition meeting, portraying Trump’s behavior as unexpectedly friendly and 'fawning,' while Biden frames the same interaction as a moment of political calculation. Both outlets agree that the memoir serves as a vehicle for Biden to condemn Trump’s actions on January 6, but The Atlantic places greater weight on the personal dynamics of the 2024 handover, whereas The New York Times centers on the archival value of the 2021 document.

Why it matters

The release of these excerpts provides a rare, direct comparison between Trump’s private conduct during two presidential transitions and his public political stance. It underscores the tension between personal diplomacy and political conflict, offering insight into how former presidents navigate the legacy of their predecessors. The memoir’s timing, amid ongoing disputes over election integrity and federal policy, amplifies its relevance in current political discourse.

What to watch

The full release of 'Promise Me, America' is scheduled for November 17. Biden’s health constraints may limit further public appearances or promotional activities. The excerpts are likely to fuel ongoing debates about presidential transitions, election integrity, and the legacy of the January 6 Capitol attack, particularly as Trump continues to challenge the results of the 2026 midterm elections.