Melissa Rivers: President Obama Sent Handwritten Condolences After Joan Rivers' Death

— -- Melissa Rivers made an appearance on a special "Fashion Police: Celebrating Joan" -- the first time she's publicly spoken out on television since her mother's passing on Sept. 4 at the age of 81.

Rivers sat next to "FP" stars Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic and George Kotsiopoulos on Thursday night and spoke about how influential her mother Joan was and the unexpected people she touched.

"She affected so many people, and people you would never expect to have humor," Melissa said, according to E! News. "I received a letter from the White House, from President Obama."

Read: Giuliana Rancic on the Future of 'Fashion Police' Without Joan Rivers

Melissa explained that President Obama and the first lady were often targets of Joan's jokes.

"But I received a handwritten note saying, 'Not only did she make us laugh, she made us think,'" she said.

She added, "That's one of the things people now are realizing. It wasn't just the funny, she made us think."

Osbourne seconded that sentiment and added that if it weren't for Joan, "I wouldn't be able to be me ... any outspoken, independent woman wouldn't be who they are."

Rancic, in a recent interview with ABC News, said, "Joan really was larger than life. I think that's a reason I can't imagine her gone."

The E! News star and co-host alongside Joan for years added that Melissa will factor into the fate of "Fashion Police."

"They are looking at different scenarios, whether it moves forward or it doesn't," Rancic said. "Melissa ... a lot of that will be up to her and how she's feeling and how she decides what she wants to do, along with the execs here at E! There is no word now ... they are seeing what 'Fashion Police' looks like without Joan."