President Donald Trump jokingly declared that former President Joe Biden’s Thanksgiving turkey pardons from 2024 are ‘null and void’ because they were executed through an autopen, not a handwritten signature. This joke came during the annual White House tradition of pardoning turkeys, with Trump this year pardoning two turkeys, ‘Gobble’ and ‘Waddle.’ During the ceremony, Trump humorously claimed that he had saved last year’s pardoned turkeys, ‘Peach’ and ‘Bloss, from being processed, as he stated that Biden’s pardons were invalid, and the turkeys were set to be killed but had been stopped in time. The joke drew laughter from the audience, with Trump asserting that a thorough investigation had determined last year’s pardons were not valid. ‘I wanted to make an important announcement,’ Trump said, ‘because you remember last year, after a thorough and very rigorous investigation… I have determined that last year’s turkey pardons are totally invalid,’ he said, adding in a humorous tone, ‘null and void.’ According to Trump, the turkeys ‘Peach’ and ‘Blossom’ had been in danger of being processed, but he had ‘saved’ them just in time. This year’s turkeys, ‘Waddle’ and ‘Gobble,’ are reported to be the largest ever to receive a presidential pardon, each weighing over 50 pounds. After their pardons, they will be sent to North Carolina State University, where they will serve as ‘Turkey ambassadors for our industry.’ The decision to name the turkeys, ‘Waddle’ and ‘Gobble,’ was made by First Lady Melania Trump through a poll on X, which resulted in these names. The tradition of pardoning turkeys at Thanksgiving has been an annual White House event for decades, with turkeys historically coming from states such as Minnesota, North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, California, Virginia, and Missouri.
Trump’s humor around Biden’s pardons was met with laughter from the crowd, as he claimed that the turkeys had been ‘saved’ from being processed due to the invalidity of Biden’s pardons. This joke appeared to be a light-hearted moment in an otherwise official event, as the turkeys this year were pardoned in a more serious tone, with Trump emphasizing their size and the significance of their names. The tradition of pardoning turkeys dates back to the 19th century, though it gained national attention during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, who famously pardoned a turkey named ‘Mr. Jingles.’ The event is considered a lighthearted part of the Thanksgiving holiday, allowing the President to connect with the public in a more informal manner. While the event itself rarely has direct political implications, Trump’s joke about Biden’s pardons appears to have been a way to make a political statement, as he has previously criticized Biden’s leadership and policies. This year, the event was seen as a continuation of a tradition that has seen various presidents make light of the occasion, often with their own unique humor. In the past, several presidents have used this event to highlight agricultural interests or engage with the public in a more personal way. This year, with Trump’s humor about Biden’s pardons, the event took on a slightly more political tone, as the joke was used to make a point about the previous president’s actions. This type of humor is often used by political figures to engage with the public and make statements about their opponents in a seemingly casual manner. The event’s significance lies in its role as a cultural ritual, allowing the President to connect with audiences while simultaneously making political comments in a non-confrontational way.
The turkeys this year, ‘Waddle’ and ‘Gobble,’ are noted for being the largest ever to receive a presidential pardon, each weighing over 50 pounds. The National Turkey Federation has stated that the pardoned turkeys will be sent to North Carolina State University, where they will serve as ambassadors for the industry. This is part of the tradition in which the turkeys are often given to agricultural institutions or farms as a token of appreciation for the industry’s role in the Thanksgiving holiday. The event is also an opportunity for the President to showcase their relationship with the public, often with a humorous twist. However, in this case, the humor was directed at Biden’s pardons, making it a more political statement. While the event is typically light-hearted, the inclusion of political humor can shift its tone, allowing the President to make a point about their former opponent. This is not the first time Trump has made political jokes about Biden, as he has used various events to make pointed remarks about his predecessor’s leadership. The joke about Biden’s turkey pardons fits into a broader pattern of Trump using humor as a tool for political commentary, often at the expense of his opponents. While the humor is generally seen as a political statement, it is usually framed within the context of a lighthearted event, allowing the President to engage in a more informal manner while still making a point. The use of humor in this context can be an effective way to communicate political messages to the public without appearing overly confrontational. However, it can also draw criticism, as some may view the jokes as disrespectful or lacking in sincerity. Overall, the turkey pardoning event remains a cultural tradition, but in recent years, it has taken on a more political tone, especially in cases where the President uses the occasion to make jokes about their former opponents.