On a crisp November afternoon at the White House, President Donald Trump upheld the time-honored tradition of pardoning Thanksgiving turkeys, named Gobble and Waddle, in a ceremony that combined presidential duties with political commentary. The event, which took place on November 25, 2025, saw the President engage with the audience through humor and partisan critique, a hallmark of his public speaking style.
"The turkeys being pardoned today go by the names Gobble and Waddle. When I first saw their pictures, I was going to call them Chuck and Nancy, but then I realized I would…" – President Donald Trump
During the ceremony, the President playfully suggested that he initially considered naming the turkeys after Democratic leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi but decided against it, stating he wouldn't grant them a pardon. The quip elicited laughter from those gathered, as President Trump underscored his reluctance to extend political forgiveness to his rivals.
The President's remarks then took a more serious turn as he criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, labeling him a "big, fat slob." This personal attack was linked to a broader condemnation of crime rates in Chicago and the state's handling of federal assistance offers. A particularly harrowing incident was cited, where a woman was set ablaze on a Chicago train by a repeat offender, which President Trump attributed to Gov. Pritzker's refusal to deploy the National Guard.
Amid the political commentary, the President highlighted his administration's efforts to address crime, illegal immigration, and foreign policy. He took pride in his administration's more stringent crime policies and the progress made in reducing U.S. involvement in conflicts abroad.
First Lady Melania Trump, wearing a chic ensemble, played a role in the festivities by conducting a poll to choose the turkeys' names. Vice President J.D. Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and their daughter Mirabel were in attendance, adding to the familial aspect of the event.
The President's sense of humor resurfaced when he mentioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s certification of the turkeys as MAHA-approved, a nod to their substantial size. Despite a prepared joke regarding Gov. Pritzker's weight, President Trump claimed he rejected it, reaffirming his decision by comically refusing to call Pritzker a "fat slob" to the crowd's amusement.
The ceremony concluded with the President's light-hearted admission that he would not be dieting on Thanksgiving, though he would not be indulging in the pardoned birds. Gobble and Waddle will retire to North Carolina State University's Prestage Department of Poultry Science, recognized as the largest turkeys to receive presidential pardons.
The tradition's roots can be traced back to Abraham Lincoln's presidency, with the formal practice beginning under President George H.W. Bush in 1989. This year's event drew notable figures such as Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, Howard Lutnick, and Scott Bessent, contributing to the celebratory ambiance.
