Lunch, letters, and words of advice: 6 touching ways outgoing presidents welcomed their successors

Erin McDowellJan 20, 2021, 19:57 IST

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama met with with President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House on Trump's 2017 Inauguration Day.Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

Outgoing presidents have welcomed their successors into office through letters and other traditions.
Donald Trump will be the first US president since 1869 not to attend his successor's inauguration.
Trump could also break tradition by not writing a welcome letter containing advice for Biden.

There are many traditions following Election Day and leading up to the inauguration that allow an outgoing US president to welcome the successor into office.

US presidents throughout history have shown their support for the president-elect by attending the inauguration ceremony, enjoying lunch together before departing for the US Capitol, and leaving a letter of advice for the incoming president in the Oval Office, among other traditions.

Here are six ways outgoing presidents welcomed their successors.

US presidents have traditionally invited the president-elect to the White House before the inauguration.

The first official meeting of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower with President-elect John F. Kennedy at the White House in 1960. Paul Schutzer/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Former presidents have also shown their support by attending the inauguration of the incoming president.

George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush on the day of Bill Clinton's inauguration. Greg Smith/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

Oftentimes, a light lunch or tea is prepared for the president-elect at the White House on Inauguration Day, before the incoming and outgoing presidents travel together to the ceremony.

A person pouring tea. Shutterstock/Wiro.Klyngz

Oftentimes, a light lunch or tea is prepared for the president-elect at the White House on Inauguration Day, before the incoming and outgoing presidents travel together to the ceremony.

Ronald Reagan welcomed George H.W. Bush with a letter written on some cheeky stationery, starting the tradition of outgoing presidents leaving a letter to their successors.

An excerpt of Ronald Reagan's letter to George H.W. Bush welcoming him to the White House. George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Ronald Reagan welcomed George H.W. Bush with a letter written on some cheeky stationery, starting the tradition of outgoing presidents leaving a letter to their successors.

Barack Obama penned a more serious letter to his successor, Donald Trump, congratulating him and stressing the importance of "democratic institutions and traditions."

President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama prior to Obama's departure during the 2017 presidential inauguration. Jack Gruber-Pool/Getty Images

George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush also wrote thoughtful letters to their successors.

President Barack Obama hugs former President George W. Bush during Obama's inauguration in 2009. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Photos show ramped-up troops and barriers locking down Washington, DC, ahead of Biden's inauguration

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Lunch, letters, and words of advice: 6 touching ways outgoing presidents welcomed their successors

US presidents have traditionally invited the president-elect to the White House before the inauguration.

Former presidents have also shown their support by attending the inauguration of the incoming president.

Oftentimes, a light lunch or tea is prepared for the president-elect at the White House on Inauguration Day, before the incoming and outgoing presidents travel together to the ceremony.

Ronald Reagan welcomed George H.W. Bush with a letter written on some cheeky stationery, starting the tradition of outgoing presidents leaving a letter to their successors.

Barack Obama penned a more serious letter to his successor, Donald Trump, congratulating him and stressing the importance of "democratic institutions and traditions."

George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush also wrote thoughtful letters to their successors.