President Donald Trump recently upheld the Thanksgiving tradition by pardoning two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, in the Rose Garden. This annual event has been a longstanding part of the White House’s Thanksgiving celebrations for over three decades. The pardoning ceremony traces its roots back to the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, which began in the 1940s when the National Turkey Federation would present a live turkey to the president. The tradition was formalized during George H.W. Bush’s presidency, with the term ‘pardon’ being officially used for the first time, solidifying the practice for future presidents.
President John F. Kennedy is often credited with initiating the modern turkey pardoning tradition in 1963, when he humorously declared that he would ‘let this one grow.’ Although Kennedy did not use the word ‘pardon,’ the event was widely reported as a presidential pardon. Similarly, President Ronald Reagan added a humorous twist to the tradition during his presidency, joking about the fate of the 1987 turkey, Charlie. During the 2024 ceremony, Trump took the opportunity to critique former President Joe Biden, claiming that the turkeys were pardoned using an autopen, which he deemed invalid. Trump also quipped that he had pardoned the turkeys in 2024, stating he had ‘saved them in the nick of time.’
Following the ceremony, Gobble and Waddle, which weighed 50 and 52 pounds respectively, were sent to the White House’s Willard InterContinental Hotel. After the event, the turkeys will be transported to North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science, where they will live out their remaining days. The turkey pardoning tradition remains a significant cultural event, highlighting both the humor and the symbolic aspect of presidential celebrations. It also reflects the ongoing political dynamics between current and former leaders, as demonstrated by Trump’s critique of Biden’s 2024 pardons.
Despite its lighthearted nature, the turkey pardoning ceremony has become a notable part of the White House’s public relations strategy, blending humor with national tradition. The tradition also underscores the role of the presidency in maintaining and updating long-standing customs, even as political tensions persist. Trump’s comments about Biden’s turkey pardons illustrate the broader context of political rivalry and the use of public events to assert influence. While the ceremony itself is primarily symbolic, it provides a platform for presidents to engage with the public and maintain a connection to national traditions, even in the context of ongoing political discourse.