President Trump Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys Gobble and Waddle in Annual Ceremony

WASHINGTON — In keeping with a longstanding White House tradition, President Donald Trump pardoned two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle on Tuesday ahead of Thanksgiving. Both birds, each weighing over 50 pounds, were raised on a farm in North Carolina and stayed overnight at the Willard InterContinental Hotel near the White House prior to the ceremony.

The custom of pardoning a Thanksgiving turkey dates back to 1989 under President George H.W. Bush. During the event, President Trump humorously mentioned initially considering the names Chuck and Nancy—an apparent reference to political figures Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi —but decided against it, remarking, "I would never pardon those two."

This latest ceremony adds to Trump’s extensive record of issuing pardons, having granted more than 1,600 during his second term, including to associates linked with attempts to contest the 2020 presidential election results and individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot.

Addressing the cost of Thanksgiving dinners, President Trump highlighted data from a Walmart study suggesting a 25% decrease in holiday meal prices this year. However, an alternative report by the American Farm Bureau estimated a more modest 5% reduction, placing the average dinner cost at approximately $55.18.

Trump also revisited last year's pardons by President Joe Biden of turkeys named Peach and Blossom, asserting without evidence that Biden’s pardons were invalid due to the use of an "automatic signing tool."

Following the ceremony, Gobble and Waddle are set to retire at North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture, as confirmed by the National Turkey Federation.