### Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon Ceremony: A Chaotic Affair at the White House This year's Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House was anything but traditional, featuring unexpected political jabs, a missing turkey, and President Trump's controversial remarks. The event, which has been a staple of American holiday culture for over 160 years, saw Trump pardoning two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle, while also taking aim at political rivals and past administrations. The ceremony was marked by a chaotic atmosphere, with Trump humorously suggesting that the turkeys should have been named after his political opponents, Chuck and Nancy, and making derogatory comments about Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, calling him a "fat slob" [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15325485/Trump-pardons-turkeys-Chuck-Nancy-calls-Pritzker-fat-slob-rip-roaring-Thanksgiving-speech.html]. ### Structure of the Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon Event 1. **Ceremony Overview** - President Trump pardoned two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, continuing a long-standing tradition. - The event took place at the White House, with Trump making light of the situation despite the absence of one turkey, Waddle [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-pardons-thanksgiving-turkeys-waddle-gobble-jabs-political/story?id=127861187]. 2. **Political Commentary** - Trump used the occasion to criticize President Biden, claiming that last year's pardons were invalid due to Biden's use of an autopen [https://fortune.com/2025/11/25/trump-pardons-turkeys-chuck-nancy-biden-autopen-hunter-thanksgiving]. - He also made remarks about the ongoing situation in Ukraine, suggesting that a peace deal was "very close" [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/trump-turkey-pardon-biden-ukraine-2025.html]. 3. **Public Reception and Media Coverage** - The event received mixed reactions, with some praising the humor while others criticized the political overtones during a holiday meant for gratitude [https://click2houston.com/news/national/2025/11/25/turkey-pardons-offer-holiday-ritual-during-precarious-moment-for-trump]. - Media outlets highlighted the chaotic nature of the ceremony, emphasizing the missing turkey and Trump's jabs at political opponents [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-turkey-pardon-thanksgiving-tradition-live-updates-b2872072.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Turkeys Pardoned**: Gobble and Waddle were raised in North Carolina and were given luxury accommodations at the Willard InterContinental Hotel prior to the ceremony [https://abc13.com/post/turkeys-waddle-gobble-arrive-white-house-ahead-thanksgiving-pardon-ceremony/18208205]. - **Political Remarks**: Trump's comments included a mix of humor and criticism, with specific references to his political rivals and the current administration's policies [https://local21news.com/news/nation-world/trump-ridicules-bidens-turkey-pardons-claims-autopen-scandal-and-revokes-last-years-joe-biden-hunter-biden]. - **Historical Context**: The turkey pardon tradition dates back to President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, making it a significant cultural event in the U.S. [https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/trump-pardons-turkey-gobble-for-thanksgiving-252990533756]. ### Conclusion: A Thanksgiving to Remember In summary, the 2025 Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony was a blend of tradition and political theater, showcasing President Trump's unique approach to a long-standing holiday ritual. The key takeaways include: 1. **Pardoning of Turkeys**: Gobble and Waddle were spared from the dinner table, continuing the tradition. 2. **Political Commentary**: Trump's remarks overshadowed the ceremony, turning it into a platform for political jabs. 3. **Public and Media Reaction**: The event was met with a mix of amusement and criticism, highlighting the intersection of politics and holiday traditions. This year's ceremony not only celebrated the turkeys but also reflected the current political climate, making it a memorable event in the annals of Thanksgiving history [https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/politics/white-house-turkey-pardon-trump].