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President Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys Gobble and Waddle

2025-11-25

The BareStory

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday pardoned two turkeys, named Gobble and Waddle, in an annual White House ceremony ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. The event, along with the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree, traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday season in the nation's capital.

The turkeys were raised on a farm in North Carolina. A spokeswoman for the National Turkey Federation announced that following the pardon, both Gobble and Waddle will be moved to North Carolina State University to serve as ambassadors for the turkey industry. According to the White House press secretary, one of the turkeys was brought into the briefing room before the event. A federation representative stated that Waddle weighs over 50 pounds. The names were reportedly selected through a social media poll held by First Lady Melania Trump.

The modern ceremony is part of a Thanksgiving tradition with historical roots. President Abraham Lincoln first established Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863. According to the White House Historical Association, Lincoln is believed to have granted the first informal turkey pardon that same year for his son's Christmas turkey. The formal pardon ceremony as an annual event was established by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.

Following the White House events, President Trump is scheduled to travel to his Mar-a-Lago property for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Left Perspective

  • The ceremony upholds a long-standing presidential custom.
  • It marks the official start of the holiday season in the capital.
  • The tradition incorporates public participation.

Right Perspective

  • The event is conducted in coordination with the turkey industry.
  • The pardoned turkeys serve an ongoing promotional purpose.
  • The ceremony includes managed media elements.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Based on the provided information, this symbolic event is not expected to have a significant practical impact on the daily lives or finances of the general public.

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