The most popular Thanksgiving event at the White House is undoubtedly the turkey pardon ceremony. On Tuesday (November 25th), at the ceremony held in the White House Rose Garden, President Trump interacted enthusiastically with the turkeys Waddle and Gobble, adding lots of laughter to the event.
President Trump announced at the ceremony that the two turkeys selected for pardon were named Waddle and Gobble, chosen by the public through online voting.
As the president mentioned the names of the two turkeys, one of them suddenly let out a loud gobble, prompting laughter from the audience.
“These turkeys are well trained,” Trump jokingly responded.
When pardoning Gobble, the president said, “Are you ready? Gobble, I just want to tell you one thing – very important – you are unconditionally pardoned here!”
Before Trump could finish his sentence, Gobble enthusiastically responded. It stretched its neck and let out a loud gobble towards the president, seemingly thanking him for sparing its life. After Trump finished speaking, Gobble gobbled again. The turkey’s performance once again made the guests present burst into laughter.
From the president’s expression, it was evident that he did not expect Gobble to respond in such a way. He patted Gobble and praised it as a beautiful turkey.
The pardoned turkeys will no longer be a delicious dish on the Thanksgiving table. They will be sent back to their hometown in North Carolina, where they will live out their days.
“Look how happy it is!” Trump pointed at Gobble during the ceremony.
Gobble’s enthusiastic response may also be in gratitude for the VIP treatment given by the president to both itself and Waddle.
It’s not every day that they visit the White House. Waddle strutted around grandly, “visiting” the White House Briefing Room. There, it was welcomed by White House press secretary Levitt and many White House reporters. Levitt’s son was also very interested in this “rare guest”.
Before attending the White House pardon ceremony, these two turkeys stayed at the luxurious Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.
According to North Carolina State University, these two turkeys were provided to the White House by the National Turkey Federation. After the pardon ceremony, the federation will be responsible for bringing Gobble and Waddle back to North Carolina. There, they will be cared for by the Prestige Poultry Science Department at North Carolina State University.
The hotel mentions on its website that every year, before the official presidential pardon ceremony at the White House, the Willard InterContinental Hotel proudly hosts the “National Thanksgiving Turkeys”. This cherished tradition symbolizes gratitude and marks the start of the holiday season in Washington, D.C. For over a decade, the Willard Hotel has welcomed these special “guests”, solidifying its role as an integral part of this unique American ritual.