Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Letter reveals Obama advice to president
BARACK Obama offered advice to Donald Trump in a letter left at the White House for the new president on his inauguration day.
But after the 275-word note was published yesterday, many questioned whether Mr Trump read it.
Mr Obama congratulated him on “a remarkable run”. He wrote: “Millions have placed their hopes in you. Let me offer a few reflections from the past eight years.”
He advised his billionaire successor to “build more ladders of success for every child and family that’s willing to work hard”.
He wrote: “American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It’s up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order.” He added: “We are just temporary occupants of this office. It’s up to us to leave instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.”
And he concluded: “Take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family.”
He signed off the handwritten letter: “Michelle and I stand ready to help in any ways which we can. Good luck and Godspeed.”
Outgoing presidents traditionally leave a note for their successors in the Oval Office desk. Many praised Mr Obama on social media but accused Mr Trump of ignoring it. Twitter user Leanne wrote: “I don’t think Trump even read the letter.”
And Richard Ferguson tweeted him directly: “You didn’t respect and obey Obama’s Inauguration letter. It’s like you set it on fire, and used it to burn the Constitution.”