This year’s turkey pardon ceremony, a longstanding presidential tradition officially established in 1989, saw former President Trump exercise his clemency powers to save two turkeys, Waddle and Gobble, from becoming Thanksgiving dinner.
While only Gobble was present at the official ceremony, Waddle had made an earlier appearance at the White House briefing room, accompanied by press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
During the event, Trump humorously remarked about the previous year’s turkeys, “Peach” and “Blossom,” joking that they were supposedly on their way to be processed. However, he declared he was extending his pardon to them as well, alongside Waddle and Gobble.
Trump also took the opportunity to address Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who had opposed Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard into Chicago. Trump criticized Pritzker, urging him to “get your act together,” before making a derogatory comment by calling him a “big fat slob.”
The former president continued his remarks with a touch of self-deprecation, stating, “I refuse to talk about the fact that he’s a fat slob. I don’t mention it,” while also admitting he wouldn’t mind shedding a few pounds himself.
“I refuse to talk about the fact that he’s a fat slob. I don’t mention it,” Trump went on, before adding that he would like to lose a few pounds, too.
Reported with Associated Press.
