Exclusive: Read the Inauguration Day letter Obama left for Trump
Source: CNN
By Kevin Liptak, CNN White House Producer
Updated 8:51 AM ET, Sun September 3, 2017
(CNN)During his final moments in the Oval Office, President Barack Obama folded into thirds a handwritten letter to Donald Trump, slid it into an envelope, and in neat capital letters addressed it to "Mr. President."
Now, the contents of that letter -- the last direct communication between the 44th and 45th presidents -- have emerged for the first time after CNN obtained a copy.
Full letter
Dear Mr. President -
Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.
This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.
First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.
Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.
Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.
And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.
Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.
Good luck and Godspeed,
BO
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/03/politics/obama-trump-letter-inauguration-day/index.html
femmocrat
(28,394 posts)A true statesman and gentleman.
PaulRevere08
(449 posts)DinahMoeHum
(21,839 posts)n/t
Julian Englis
(2,309 posts)AC_Mem
(1,979 posts)President Obama was, is and always will be a class act. We are all better for his 8 years of service and I miss him dearly every single day.
a
Best by far President in my 69 years.
MFM008
(19,837 posts)Off the maggot in chief even more.
PJMcK
(22,075 posts)He probably saw who it was from, tore it to pieces and threw them in the garbage.
In spite of what he thinks, he's not a very classy guy.
Orrex
(63,294 posts)L. Coyote
(51,129 posts)forgotmylogin
(7,540 posts)Dear President Trump,
*Congratulations.
*You are blessed.
*Leave [things as you found them].
Barack Obama
mtngirl47
(992 posts)part about taking time for his family and he thought it meant to go golfing and take lots of vacations!
NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)Instead we have a vulgar buffoon occupying OUR House.
treestar
(82,383 posts)That letter is with his usual class.
The Orange Buffoon won't even write a letter for his successor.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)underpants
(183,046 posts)Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)copperearth
(117 posts)I understand he is pretty lousy at golf no matter the length of time he plays.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)Trump would accept suggestions from a Black POTUS.
Is all this hate from Obama's roast a couple years ago at the newscaster/writers' dinner? If so, his insides must be one huge tangled mess if he lets everything get to him like that.
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)Have someone read this to you every day: "That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for."
Comrade Casino and allied republicans cronies have so far routinely pissed on those essential parts of American democracy
Scarsdale
(9,426 posts)could stand up and read this letter to all his colleagues, reminding them WHY they are in office? They seem to think they are there to enrich themselves and get great healthcare for their families. We went from CLASS to CRASS in a few short months.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)I know we will never hear in words from Trump which will match President Obama. Thanks President Obama for your service to our nation.
DeminPennswoods
(15,299 posts)Trump to do, then Trump would think he's dissing Obama by doing the opposite.
Richard D
(8,824 posts). . . and with his deep hatred for Obama, decided to do exactly the opposite of everything in the letter.
AwakeAtLast
(14,134 posts)Scarsdale
(9,426 posts)or had Maleria pee on it? That is trumps style.
AwakeAtLast
(14,134 posts)CousinIT
(9,276 posts)bucolic_frolic
(43,511 posts)that he felt the need for instructions that any first year government student could spit out on a final exam
Calista241
(5,586 posts)Snake Plissken
(4,103 posts)Can you believe he didn't even once mention by electoral college win?
bench scientist
(1,107 posts)JDC
(10,152 posts)LiberalLovinLug
(14,180 posts)Congratulations on a remarkable run.
Yes! remarkable! I'll have to use that word
Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.
You bet your ass expanded prosperity! For everyone starting with me!
This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful
You got that right loser
Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years.
Oh boy here we go
First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky.
You have nothing compared to me you Kenyan commie, lol
It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.
Me first!
Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.
Speak for yourself you socialist turd, I don't "depend" on anyone else, (well other than my good friends in those Russian banks)
Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions -- like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties -- that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.
blah blah blah....my people love me because I'm going to 'drain the swamp' of all those costly "institutions and traditions". So suck on it boy!
And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.
Well you got that right. If I'm having a bad day I just grab the picture of Ivanka and stare longingly at it and am amazed at how I made such a hot piece of ass
Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.
Ya, don't let the door hit you on the way out losers
Good luck and Godspeed,
BO
fuck off loser
treestar
(82,383 posts)MyOwnPeace
(16,955 posts)Were you there when Orange Cheat-o read that?
I truly DO believe you were, because YOU NAILED IT - that sounds EXACTLY LIKE HIM!!!!!!!
(Hey, wait a minute, is that you, Donny? Have you quit tweeting and are now trolling our site?
Really, you're missing a tee time - and don't come back!)
LiberalLovinLug
(14,180 posts)Bernardo de La Paz
(49,075 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(108,485 posts)This country slowly devolves.