President Donald Trump upheld the annual White House tradition by pardoning two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, in a ceremony on November 25, 2025, blending political jabs with lighthearted moments. The event, held in the Rose Garden, underscored the quirky side of presidential duties amid ongoing political challenges.
The ceremony took place under overcast skies in the recently renovated White House Rose Garden, with First Lady Melania Trump and several cabinet members, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in attendance. President Trump used the occasion to inject humor and political commentary, setting a tone that diverged from typical holiday cheer. He joked about sending the turkeys to an infamous prison in El Salvador used for migrants and suggested naming them after Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, though he quipped he would never pardon those individuals. The president also took a swipe at his predecessor, Joe Biden, claiming last year’s turkey pardons were invalid due to the use of an autopen.
Trump’s remarks extended to other political figures, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, whom he referred to as a “fat slob” in a veiled jest, eliciting scattered laughter from the audience. Despite the drizzle and cloudy weather, the crowd on the Rose Garden patio remained engaged as the president eventually turned to the main event. However, the ceremony had a minor hiccup when Waddle, one of the turkeys, was not initially present in the garden, though it had been spotted earlier in the White House briefing room. There, press secretary Karoline Leavitt prompted the bird to gobble, which it did on cue, earning praise for being “on message.”
The turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, were raised by Travis Pittman of Wayne County, North Carolina, on a farm that typically manages flocks of over 19,000 birds for Butterball, the nation’s largest turkey producer. Pittman described the pair as the most comfortable and interactive turkeys, often approaching him first each day, and credited his young son, Carter, for helping care for them. He emphasized that farming is a family business requiring countless hours of dedication, both on and off the field. The birds had stayed at Washington D.C.’s luxurious Willard Hotel ahead of the pardon, adding to the ceremonial pomp.
Trump formally pardoned Gobble, declaring a “full and unconditional pardon” while reaching out to stroke the bird’s feathers and remarking, “Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?” The absence of Waddle during part of the ceremony did not deter the proceedings, and the president proceeded with the tradition. Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha and daughter Mirabel, visited Gobble after the pardon, highlighting the family-friendly aspect of the event. The pardoned turkeys are expected to live out their days at a farm or sanctuary, as per custom.
Beyond the lighthearted moments, Trump used the platform to address economic concerns, insisting that Thanksgiving meal prices were dropping under his leadership, though some reports indicate higher costs for holiday foods this year. This claim comes amid persistent public frustration with inflation, reminding attendees of the broader economic context. The ceremony also served as a brief interlude in a turbulent period for Trump’s second term, marked by challenges such as advancing a Ukraine peace plan and potential military strikes in Venezuela.
The turkey pardon tradition, dating back decades, symbolizes a presidential act of mercy before Thanksgiving, but this year’s event was tinged with political undertones. It occurred against a backdrop of Republican coalition strains and recent legal setbacks for Trump, including a judge tossing cases against James Comey and Letitia James. Additionally, the White House is undergoing renovations, with the East Wing demolished to make room for a new ballroom, turning parts of the grounds into a construction site. As Trump prepared to head to his Mar-a-Lago resort for the holiday, the ceremony offered a momentary escape from weightier issues, yet it reflected the polarized political climate.
