The annual White House turkey pardon ceremony took an unexpectedly lively and humorous turn as President Donald Trump presided over the traditional event with his characteristic flair for entertainment and political commentary.
A Missing Turkey and Presidential Humour
In a departure from the usual solemnity of the occasion, the November 27, 2025 ceremony saw only one of the two designated turkeys, named Gobble, make an appearance in the Rose Garden. This absence prompted President Trump to deliver one of his signature quips, noting that the other turkey, Waddle, appeared to be "missing in action."
The light-hearted atmosphere continued as Trump infused the ceremony with playful banter that extended beyond the traditional turkey-focused remarks. His commentary took several unexpected turns, keeping attendees and viewers entertained throughout the proceedings.
Political Undertones in Traditional Ceremony
President Trump didn't shy away from incorporating political references into his address. He made several remarks about Democrats during the ceremony, though the exact nature of these comments remained in the realm of light-hearted jest rather than serious political discourse.
In one particularly notable moment, Trump referenced previous turkey pardons conducted by President Biden, suggesting they might require "re-pardoning." This callback to his predecessor's ceremonies added an extra layer of political context to what is typically a non-partisan tradition.
The Significance of the Annual Tradition
The White House turkey pardon represents one of Washington's most enduring and photogenic traditions, dating back decades. While the ceremony has always contained elements of humour, the 2025 edition under President Trump's supervision took the playful aspects to new heights.
This year's event demonstrated how even the most established White House traditions can reflect the personality and style of the sitting president. Trump's approach combined the ceremony's customary elements with his unique brand of entertainment and political commentary.
The ceremony successfully maintained the tradition's core purpose – sparing turkeys from becoming Thanksgiving meals – while adding memorable moments that distinguished this particular pardon from previous years. The combination of a missing turkey, political humour, and Trump's characteristic delivery made the 2025 turkey pardon one of the most talked-about in recent memory.
