President Donald Trump brought his signature style to the annual White House turkey pardon ceremony, blending holiday tradition with political barbs. This year's lucky birds, Gobble and Waddle, received their presidential pardon amidst a flurry of jokes and pointed remarks.
Trump's Thanksgiving Jabs
Instead of pure holiday cheer, Trump used the occasion to take aim at political rivals. He joked about sending the turkeys to a notorious prison in El Salvador, a facility often used to house migrants deported from the United States. He also suggested naming the birds Chuck and Nancy, after Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, adding, "I would never pardon those people."
Biden's Turkey Pardons Questioned
Trump didn't stop there. He also cast doubt on the validity of last year's turkey pardons issued by President Joe Biden, claiming Biden used an autopen. He then referenced Biden's son, saying, "Where's Hunter?," hinting at potential legal troubles for Hunter Biden.
Illinois Governor Targeted
The president also took a jab at Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat who has opposed the White House's plans to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. Trump claimed he had a joke prepared about Pritzker but said, "I refuse to talk about the fact that he's a fat slob. I don’t mention it."
The remarks drew scattered laughter from the audience, who braved cloudy skies and intermittent drizzle in the Rose Garden.
The event, while intended as a lighthearted Thanksgiving tradition, became another platform for Trump to express his political views and engage in his characteristic brand of humor.