President Ronald Reagan Sent First Letter To Successor in 1989

The tradition of an outgoing US President leaving a letter in the Oval Office desk for their successor is a fairly new one.

In 1989, outgoing two-term President Ronald Reagan left a letter to President George H. W. Bush, who had served as President Reagan's Vice President and was now set to take over as the leader of the free world.

President Reagan thought that he was just sending his friend a few words of encouragement, but he was actually starting a tradition that will likely continue forever.

Outgoing US Presidents would often pen letters, reflecting on their time in office, but they had never addressed their successor directly.

President Reagan's letter to President George H. W. Bush was short - it read:

"Dear George

You'll have moments when you want to use this particular stationary. Well, go to it.

George, I treasure the memories we share and wish you all the very best. You'll be in my prayers. God bless you & Barbara. I'll miss our Thursday lunches.

Ron"

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Hillary Clinton said that she cried after reading President George H.W. Bush's letter to President Bill Clinton in 1993. In the letter, President Bush said he was "rooting hard" for President Clinton.

In 2017, outgoing two-term President Barack Obama left President Donald Trump a letter that the latter described as "beautiful".

In 2021, despite all of the events that had taken place over the previous couple of months, outgoing President Donald Trump left President Joe Biden a letter that the 46th President described as "generous". The contents of that letter have never been revealed.

In 2025, outgoing President Joe Biden left a note for returning President Donald Trump. A reporter asked President Trump if President Biden had left him a note. President Trump opened his desk and found the letter, and the contents were later revealed.

Filed under: General Knowledge