Thomas Jefferson Letter With Trump Warning Hits Market 2026

A remarkably prescient letter written by Thomas Jefferson, the third US president, containing a warning for Trump, has been put up for sale by a private collector. The handwritten document from 1787 warns specifically against many of the missteps Donald Trump has taken to drag down his own second term of office.

Written in Paris, where Jefferson was the fledgling government’s minister to France, the note to David Rittenhouse, a friend and fellow member of the American Philosophical Society, muses on the priorities and principles he believed future presidents should follow.

Historical Significance of the Thomas Jefferson Letter

Previously on display at Texas A&M University, the letter and a book described as “a major European scientific work”, an accompanying gift from Jefferson to Rittenhouse, have a guide price of $285,000 through the Raab Collection, a Pennsylvania-based dealer in historical artifacts and documents.

“Peace should be our plan, and the payment of our debts, improvement of our constitutions and extension of agriculture our principal objects,” Jefferson wrote, sharing his thoughts about that year’s landmark federal convention in Philadelphia, later known as the constitutional convention, which debated and signed the US constitution.

Jefferson's Advice for Future Presidents

Almost 240 years later, Trump, who has frequently hailed Jefferson as one of his political heroes, and installed a lifesize bronze statue of him in the White House, appears to have disregarded much of this advice. Jefferson's emphasis on peace, debt payment, constitutional improvement, and agriculture stands in stark contrast to Trump's policies and actions.

For instance, Jefferson advocated for peace, yet Trump has engaged in aggressive foreign policies and trade wars. Jefferson stressed paying off debts, while Trump's tax cuts and spending have ballooned the national debt. Jefferson called for improving constitutions, but Trump has often pushed constitutional boundaries. Jefferson promoted agriculture, but Trump has focused on deregulation and fossil fuels.

Why This Letter Matters Today

The letter's prescience is striking. It serves as a reminder of the founding principles that many feel are being eroded. As the 2024 election approaches, this document offers a historical lens through which to view current political dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• The letter is a rare historical artifact with a guide price of $285,000.
• Jefferson's advice contrasts sharply with Trump's policies.
• The document highlights enduring principles of governance.
• It is available through the Raab Collection.

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