U.S. President Donald Trump continued a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition on Tuesday (Nov. 25) by pardoning two turkeys — Gobble and Waddle — during a ceremony at the White House before flying to his Florida resort to celebrate the holiday.
Two birds, raised in North Carolina, were chosen for the annual presidential pardon and were given the VIP treatment ahead of their big moment. Waddle and Gobble were put up in luxury hotels upon their arrival in Washington.
Trump opened the ceremony with characteristic humor, saying: “The turkeys that were pardoned today are named Gobble and Waddle. When I first saw their pictures … I wanted to call them Chuck and Nancy – but then I realized that I will not forgive them.”
Where will the Turkeys live
After the ceremony, the birds will be transferred to the Prestage Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where they will enjoy dedicated housing, daily care and veterinary support for the rest of their lives.
Decades of tradition
Presidential pardons for the turkey have been observed for decades, but the tradition was formally recognized in 1989 when President George HW Bush declared that a turkey presented to him would be spared.
Bush famously remarked, “This guy’s not going to end up on anybody’s dinner table … he just issued a presidential pardon.”
Since this official announcement, 60 turkeys have been pardoned.
The public chooses the names
The public also participates through an annual naming vote. This year, Gobble and Waddle were chosen through an online vote shared by the Office of the First Lady across social media platforms.
