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Whether you have a serious matter to address or simply want to greet the President, there are several practical methods you can use to reach out to the President of the United States. You can send a traditional letter, call the White House, use the White House website to submit a message, or even connect via social media. However, keep in mind that you may never receive a response, and if you do, it might come from a staff member rather than the President themselves.
Steps
Sending a Traditional Letter
Write your letter formally. Regardless of your feelings toward the President—whether you are criticizing or praising them—remember that you are addressing the leader of the United States. Your letter should sincerely convey respect and present your thoughts in a reasonable manner. Ensure that the content does not include any form of threatening language.
Format your letter according to White House guidelines. The White House requires letters to be written on 8.5 x 11 inch paper (approximately 21.6 cm x 27.9 cm). If handwritten, use clear ink and legible handwriting. Format your letter like a formal business letter or any official correspondence:
- Include your name and address, including your email, in the top right corner of the letter, followed by the date below.
- Use a formal salutation, such as "Dear Mr. President."
- End the letter with a formal closing, such as "Most Respectfully."
- Print and sign your name.
Prepare the envelope. Fold your letter and place it in an envelope. Write your return address in the top left corner of the envelope. Affix a stamp to the top right corner. The mailing address should be:
- The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Send the letter. Seal the envelope and take it to the nearest post office or drop it in a mailbox. While not guaranteed, you might receive a response within approximately six months, though it may come from White House staff rather than the President.
- To ensure your letter reaches the White House, consider using a tracking service at the post office.
Call the White House
Pick up the phone and dial the White House. Depending on who you want to reach and your purpose, choose one of the following numbers: for comments and feedback, call 202-456-1111 (TTY/TTD 202-456-6213), or for the switchboard, call 202-456-1414 (TTY/TTD Visitor's Office: 202-456-2121).
- The comment line is answered by volunteers from the current administration.
- The switchboard is answered by White House staff.
Follow the instructions. When your call is answered, a staff member or automated system will guide you. Use the keypad to enter extensions or additional information as directed.
State your request clearly. Ask to speak to the President or make any other specific request. While the President may not take your call directly, you may be connected to someone who can address your concerns.
- If you are an expert in a particular field and wish to speak to the President, first contact the relevant Cabinet member. For example, an education specialist should reach out to the Secretary of Education.
End the call when finished. Press the end button or hang up once you have completed your message or conversation with the representative.
Use the White House Website
Visit the WhiteHouse.gov/Contact page. White House staff will ask you to use the provided web form to submit your comments. You will need to enter the following required information:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Home Address
Compose your message. The White House website allows you to enter a message of up to 2,500 characters. You can share a personal story or express your concerns if applicable. Maintain a formal tone and use appropriate salutations, such as "Dear Mr. President" and "Sincerely, Jane Jennings."
Send your message. Choose whether to opt in or out of updates from the White House and/or a response to your message. Then, simply click the "Submit" button to send your message.
Use Social Media
Log in to your social media account. You can use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube to contact the White House or the President.
- If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for free and follow the instructions.
- Note that the President may not have time to respond, but staff members might get back to you.
Compose your message. Write your message carefully and thoughtfully. Avoid using inappropriate or threatening language. Depending on the platform, you can post using hashtags (#) or handles to ensure the President receives your message, or post directly on the President’s page or website.
- For Twitter, your message must be 140 characters or less. Send your message and tag the President using @realDonaldTrump, @WhiteHouse, or @POTUS.
- For Facebook, visit https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse or https://www.facebook.com/POTUS/.
- For Instagram, visit https://www.instagram.com/realdonaldtrump/.
- For YouTube, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse or https://www.youtube.com/user/trump.
Use handles or hashtags to ensure the President receives your message. Use handles like @WhiteHouse, @realDonaldTrump, and/or @POTUS or hashtags such as #WhiteHouse, #realDonaldTrump, and/or #POTUS. Note that the President’s personal handle may change after four years, but the White House and POTUS handles and hashtags will likely remain consistent.
Click the "Send" button to post your message. After composing your message and adding relevant tags (if necessary), you can submit your message.
Tips
- Do not expect to meet the President in person unless there is a special reason for him to speak with you. You may interact with staff, and most correspondence sent to the President is handled by his team.
Warnings
- Be aware that you may not receive a response from the President or his staff.
- Ensure that your letters, messages, or calls remain polite, professional, and appropriate. If they are deemed threatening in any way, there is a high likelihood that you will be investigated.
