The annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon took center stage at the White House, as President Donald Trump spared two turkeys, Gobble and Wade, in a ceremony blending tradition, theatrics, and political commentary.
Amid the applause, a fleeting shadow along the edge of the Rose Garden went unnoticed by cameras and security, briefly adding an unusual tension to the otherwise festive event. First Lady Melania Trump appeared to notice the figure, pausing mid-step as the ceremony proceeded.
Trump delivered a speech peppered with both praise for himself and jabs at political rivals. He revealed that he had initially considered naming the turkeys after Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi but joked, “I wouldn’t be pardoning them. I would never pardon those two, no matter what Melania told me.” Lip reader Nicola Hickling later noted that Trump directed a seven-word remark toward Melania: “I’m happy to go after you.”
Continuing his signature blend of humor and spectacle, Trump referred to the turkeys as “first-era MAHA turkeys,” referencing his “Make America Healthy Again” slogan, noting they had indulged in “every fattening food imaginable” and describing their size and temperament with surprise: “Wow! Okay, okay, look at that… so that’s not abnormal? … It’s normal then? How big do they get? It looks like a rather violent bird.”
Before the ceremony, Gobble and Wade had been treated to luxury accommodations, including a $400-a-night suite at Washington, D.C.’s Willard Hotel. Jaap Boelens, the hotel manager, said the turkeys received a red carpet welcome and enjoyed access to a fully stocked minibar. Following the pardon, the birds will retire to North Carolina State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science in Raleigh.
Conclusion
Trump’s 2025 turkey pardon combined political commentary, playful theatrics, and attention-grabbing moments, maintaining the tradition as both a ceremonial and headline-making event. While Gobble and Wade avoided the Thanksgiving table, they became central figures in another memorable spectacle at the Trump White House.