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Donald Trump leaves note for Joe Biden on Oval Office desk

Former US president Donald Trump has followed at least one presidential tradition.

The White House says the Republican president left behind a note for his successor, Democrat Joe Biden, despite initial reports Trump would forgo this ritual.

Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere declined to reveal what Trump wrote to Biden or to characterise the sentiment in the note, citing privacy for communication between presidents.

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Donald Trump writing a letter (left) and Joe Biden after being sworn in as President (right).
The White House says Donald Trump left a note for his successor, Democrat Joe Biden in the Oval Office. Source: Getty/AAP

Trump had abandoned several Inaugural Day traditions, from meeting with the next commander-in-chief to attending the ceremonies in Washington.

The former president also refused to mention Biden by name in a pair of farewell addresses.

On Wednesday morning (local time), Trump left the White House for the final time as president heading to Florida with his family.

His usual claims of voter fraud and fake news were replaced with a simple message to Biden.

“I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they’ll have great success,” Trump said.

The letter from Trump to Biden was left in the Oval Office for the incoming president by an aide, according to Bloomberg News.

It has become a tradition for outgoing presidents to leave a note to their successor, usually on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.

The letters usually include a personal note of congratulations and support to the incoming president as well as a shared kinship of the hardships that can come with the highest job in the United States of America.

As for details of Trump’s letter, the White House would only say “it’s a letter between 45 and 46”. Biden is the 46th President of the United States.

There are reports former vice president Mike Pence left a handwritten note for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Outgoing press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted on Wednesday morning an image of letters she left for the incoming Biden communications team.

“Wish all the best to President Joe Biden’s incoming press and communications team,” she tweeted.

With AAP

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