Trump Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys, Jokes About Democrats
In a politically-charged twist on a long-standing holiday tradition, President Donald Trump pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, on Tuesday. The event was not without its share of controversy as Trump used the occasion to joke about his political rivals and make light of the former president's actions.
Background and Context
The annual turkey pardoning ceremony, a televised event that dates back years, is usually a light-hearted affair taking place just before the Thanksgiving holiday. The tradition sees the sitting US president pardoning
a pair of turkeys, sparing them from becoming part of the holiday feast.
Key Developments
This year, President Trump offered more than just pardons for Gobble and Waddle. He took the opportunity to joke about his Democratic adversaries, even suggesting that he nearly named the turkeys after Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, as reported by Al Jazeera English and South China Morning Post.
In a more contentious remark, Trump questioned the validity of former President Joe Biden's turkey pardons from the previous year. According to Fox News, Trump joked that Biden's pardons were null and void
because he used an autopen, a device that mechanically replicates a person's signature. Trump claimed to have saved last year's turkeys, Peach and Blossom, from being carved after the supposed nullification of Biden's pardons.
Reactions and Implications
The president's speech at the ceremony was met with mixed reactions. While some found humor in Trump's remarks, others criticized his departure from the traditionally jovial nature of the event.
The Guardian described Trump's speech as a baffling
zigzag from topic to topic, stating that his jokes landed with a thud.
Similarly, the Folha de S.Paulo compared Trump's victory over the Democrats to his pardoning of the turkeys, while the New York Times highlighted late-night host Seth Meyers' critique of Trump's lengthy speech.
Conclusion
Whether the president's remarks were seen as political satire or an inappropriate departure from tradition, the event marked another chapter in the ongoing saga of Trump's presidency. Despite the controversy, Gobble and Waddle emerged as victors, having received the presidential pardon and avoiding the Thanksgiving dinner table for another year.