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Trump Re-Pardons Turkeys, Jabs at Democrats During Ceremony

11/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the White House turkey pardon ceremony.
He re-pardoned Peach and Blossom, saying they were invalidly pardoned by President Joe Biden (D) using an autopen.
This year’s turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, were presented as the plumpest birds.
Trump joked about naming them after Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi but did not proceed.
He criticized Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over crime in Chicago.

History

Historical Context

The tradition of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey began in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush, formalizing a practice that dates back to the 1940s. Initially, turkeys were slaughtered, but by the late 1970s, they were often spared. This whimsical ceremony reflects the intersection of holiday customs and political discourse, as seen in recent events featuring turkeys Gobble and Waddle during Trump's presidency.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the White House turkey pardon ceremony.
He re-pardoned Peach and Blossom, saying they were invalidly pardoned by President Joe Biden (D) using an autopen.
This year’s turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, were presented as the plumpest birds.
Trump joked about naming them after Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi but did not proceed.
He criticized Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over crime in Chicago.

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