President Donald Trump transformed the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon into a platform for political broadsides on Tuesday, using the traditionally symbolic White House event to question a past presidential act and mock adversaries.
Speaking from the White House, Trump targeted former President Joe Biden’s previous turkey pardon, alleging it was invalid due to the use of an “autopen.”
Trump claimed Biden’s turkeys from that year, named “Peach” and “Blossom,” were consequently “nearly slaughtered.” He stated he had to officially re-pardon them along with this year’s birds.
He also initially suggested renaming the two turkeys slated for pardon this year, Waddle and Gobble, to “Chuck” and “Nancy.”
This was a clear reference to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both prominent political rivals.
However, Trump quickly rescinded the idea, stating he would not pardon those names.
The ceremony is a customary pre-Thanksgiving tradition for U.S. presidents.
Trump’s political jabs came as he continues to face scrutiny. Democrats recently secured significant victories in states such as New Jersey and Virginia, results that are seen as impacting the national political landscape.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that the cost of Thanksgiving meals in the U.S. is trending higher this year.
This contradicts Trump’s assertions of an overall decrease in the cost of living, as consumers continue to voice concerns over rising food prices.