President Trump continued the White House Thanksgiving tradition by pardoning turkeys Gobble and Waddle on Tuesday. First Lady Melania Trump joined him for the ceremony, which took place in the Rose Garden.
Trump granted the turkeys a “full and unconditional pardon,” keeping with a practice that dates back decades. The event is one of his final activities at the White House before heading to Mar-a-Lago for the holiday.
Gobble and Waddle spent the night at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., before the ceremony. The alternate turkey, Waddle, was also brought to the White House briefing room ahead of the pardon. Nicholas, the son of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, joined the visit and interacted with Waddle.
Cabinet members attended the Rose Garden event, including Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Trump took a moment to praise the newly renovated Rose Garden during his remarks.
Travis Pittman, a farmer from Wayne County, North Carolina, raised Gobble and Waddle. Pittman, who runs a farm that produces thousands of turkeys annually for Butterball, shared that the two birds were more comfortable than others in the flock. He credited his young son, Carter, for helping care for the turkeys, emphasizing the family effort behind raising them.
“This is a dream come true,” Pittman told CBS News. He noted that most in the farming industry work long hours, often taking their responsibilities home, and highlighted the dedication it takes to care for animals and crops year-round.
Vice President JD Vance, along with his wife Usha and daughter Mirabel, also visited Gobble following the pardon. The ceremony provided a lighter moment before Thanksgiving, allowing officials and staff to celebrate the holiday tradition while recognizing the work behind raising the national turkeys.
The pardoning of Gobble and Waddle marks the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. President Trump used the event to inject humor, joking about some of former President Joe Biden’s controversial pardons.
Trump’s turkey pardon is a longstanding ceremonial event that draws attention to the Thanksgiving holiday, the White House, and agricultural traditions in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the personal and family efforts involved in raising the animals celebrated each year.
As part of the ceremony, officials and attendees gathered to watch the pardons, take photos, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. The event continues to highlight the connection between the White House and national customs while giving recognition to the farmers who provide the country’s turkeys for the holiday.
