Trump Alters Thanksgiving Tradition with Political Commentary
On November 25, 2025, former President Donald Trump introduced a surprising twist to a long-standing White House tradition during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony. This event, which began in 1989 under former President George H.W. Bush, saw Trump sparing two turkeys from becoming part of the Thanksgiving feast. The ceremony attracted attention on social media, particularly after Trump was seen mimicking the sounds of the turkeys in front of reporters.
Remarks and Controversy
During his speech, Trump deviated from the traditional focus of the event to launch criticisms at his political opponents. He introduced the turkeys, named Gobble and Waddle, with a remark that hinted at naming them after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “When I first saw their pictures, I thought we should send them, well — I shouldn’t say this,” he stated, before adding, “But then I realized I wouldn’t be pardoning them; I would never pardon those two people.”
Trump even included his wife, Melania Trump, in his comments, saying, “I wouldn’t care what Melania told me. ‘Darling, I think it would be a nice thing to do.’ I wouldn’t do it, darling.” This deviation from the customary non-political nature of the turkey pardons sparked frustration among social media users, many of whom expressed their discontent with his remarks.
Public Reactions
Social media users reacted strongly to Trump’s comments. One user remarked, “Only he can turn a cutesy little tradition into a chance to be cruel and hateful.” Another expressed surprise at the tone of his remarks, stating, “Wow!!! I didn’t expect that.” A third user criticized his mental state, saying, “This man is thoroughly insane now! What? He just can’t control his evil thoughts.” Others made light of the situation, with one user suggesting that Melania does not refer to Trump as “darling.”
Trump’s comments also included jabs at former President Joe Biden, whom he referred to as “Sleepy Joe.” He claimed that a “rigorous investigation” had revealed that Biden had used an autopen for last year’s turkey pardons, declaring them “totally invalid.” He humorously stated, “I have determined that last year’s turkey pardons are totally invalid.”
NEW: President Trump jokes that last year’s turkey pardons were “null and void” because former President Biden used an autopen:
“I have determined that last year’s Turkey pardons are totally invalid. As are the pardons of about every other person that was pardoned other than…… pic.twitter.com/mE9y5jIzCb
Continuing his jest, Trump claimed that last year’s turkeys, named Peach and Blossom, were “on their way to be processed,” but he had intervened to officially pardon them, ensuring they would not be served at Thanksgiving dinner. While attendees at the ceremony laughed at his remarks, critics online described him as “a childish man.”
Historical Context
Trump’s comments come in the wake of his defeat in the 2020 presidential election to Biden, an outcome that led to the January 6 insurrection and his subsequent second impeachment in 2021. The first impeachment occurred during his presidency in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The turkey pardoning ceremony, a rare non-political tradition, has historically been a moment for presidents to engage with the public in a lighthearted manner.
