President Donald Trump joked that former President Joe Biden’s turkey pardons for last year’s Thanksgiving turkeys were ‘null and void’ due to the use of an autopen, during the annual White House tradition of pardoning turkeys. Trump claimed he had saved the previously pardoned turkeys, ‘Peach’ and ‘Blossom,’ from being slaughtered after determining the pardons were invalid, while pardoning this year’s turkeys, ‘Gobble’ and ‘Waddle.’ The turkeys, noted as the largest ever to receive a presidential pardon, weigh over 50 pounds each, according to White House reports.
During his remarks, Trump humorously stated that he had conducted a ‘thorough and very rigorous investigation’ by Attorney General Pam Bondi and other officials to determine the validity of Biden’s pardons. He claimed that the turkeys had been on their way to be processed, i.e., slaughtered, but he had intervened to save them. Trump’s remark sparked laughter from the crowd, highlighting the lighthearted nature of the tradition, which has been a staple of presidential Thanksgiving celebrations for decades.
This year’s pardoned turkeys, ‘Waddle’ and ‘Gobble,’ are the first to exceed 50 pounds in weight, according to the White House. First Lady Melania Trump had previously held a poll on X (formerly Twitter) to select the turkey names, with ‘Waddle’ and ‘Gobble’ emerging as the favorites. The National Turkey Federation spokesperson indicated that the pardoned turkeys would be sent to North Carolina State University to serve as ‘Turkey ambassadors for our industry.’
Trump’s joke about the autopen is part of a broader pattern of political humor he has used in recent years, often blending real-world events with his personal style of rhetoric. While the pardoning of turkeys is intended to be a ceremonial and lighthearted occasion, the comments sparked discussions about the role of presidential humor within the political arena. This year’s event also saw a notable presence from the public, with individuals and regional representatives sending turkeys from various states to the White House, underscoring the national tradition and its appeal across the country.
Although the turkeys themselves are a lighthearted aspect of the holiday season, the presidential pardoning ceremony has occasionally touched on broader political themes, including the use of executive power and public perception of leadership. Trump’s quip about the autopen, while humorous, highlights how even the smallest aspects of political life can be subject to scrutiny and reinterpretation, especially in the context of ongoing political narratives and media coverage.