In a scene that is as traditional as pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, Donald Trump took part in his role as President by pardoning two fortunate turkeys at the White House. Accompanying him was First Lady Melania Trump, and amidst the politicking and pardoning, there lurked a peculiar exchange that caught public interest.
It was another headline-making moment for Trump on Tuesday as he took the stage for this much-anticipated annual event. The origin of this tradition goes back to President Abraham Lincoln’s era, but it was George H.W. Bush who formalized the turkey pardoning tradition in 1989.
The two turkeys, named Gobble and Wade, found themselves in the spotlight, enjoying a taste of the plush life on their short but sweet visit to Washington, D.C. The Willard Hotel rolled out the red carpet for them, setting them up in a luxury suite that usually costs around $400 a night.
Jaap Boelens, the hotel manager, had a bit of fun with the whole affair, quipping about how the turkeys arrived in style and even joked about a “credit check” after the mini bar in their suite was raided. It’s safe to say, Gobble and Wade received some VIP treatment before settling in for their retirement.
The President’s Thanksgiving Address
During his address, Trump couldn’t resist taking a few jabs at his political rivals, a common feature of his speeches. He mused about naming the turkeys Chuck and Nancy, a playful nod to Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. However, he decided against it, humorously stating he wouldn’t pardon those two, not even at Melania’s behest.
While Gobble and Wade were spared from the Thanksgiving feast, they are set to live out their days at North Carolina State University. There, they will reside at the Prestage Department of Poultry Science, far from the Thanksgiving dinner tables.
In a light-hearted twist, Trump explained that according to US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, the birds were “Make America Healthy Again” turkeys, playing on his famous campaign slogan. Despite their ample size, or perhaps because of it, they were deemed special representatives of this amusing initiative.
A Bizarre Moment Captured
As Trump and Melania were walking down the stairs at the pardoning event, a lip reader caught a curious exchange. Professional lip reader Nicola Hickling shared to the Express that Trump told Melania, “I’m happy to go after you.” as they made their entrance. It was an odd but endearing moment that added a personal touch to the formal occasion.
His surprise continued as he looked at the turkeys, casually chatting with Melania about the birds and their unexpected stature. His comments, “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,” painted a humorous picture of his reaction to the surprisingly robust turkeys.
In the spirit of the season, curiosity about traditions and favorites abound. What’s your favorite dish for a Thanksgiving dinner? Feel free to share your opinions as we embrace all aspects of this festive holiday!
