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Trump pardoned two turkeys and left for Florida, but his holiday arrives amid Democratic gains, rising prices, global challenges, and a court setback after cases against James Comey and Letitia James were tossed.
Trump pardoned two turkeys during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 26, 2025 01:16 IST
US President Donald Trump turned the annual White House turkey pardon into a full-blown political showcase on Tuesday, sparing two North Carolina birds — “Gobble” and “Waddle” — while firing off jokes, jabs and a surprising dose of foreign-policy optimism.
Gobble, a stout 52-pounder, made it to the Rose Garden. Waddle didn’t.
“Gobble, I just want to tell you this — very important — you are hereby unconditionally pardoned,” Trump declared, leaning in to pet the bird as the crowd applauded. He then added with trademark flourish, “Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?”
Waddle, however, remained mysteriously absent.
“Waddle, by the way, is missing in action, but that’s OK. We’ll pretend Waddle is here,” Trump said, turning the no-show into a running gag.
The turkey pardon, a White House staple since George H.W. Bush formalised it in 1989, rarely produces headlines beyond the holiday ritual. Not this year.
Trump used the moment to swipe at Joe Biden, claiming last year’s turkeys were totally invalid because Biden supposedly used an autopen. He joked that Peach and Blossom, pardoned under Biden, were on their way to be processed, adding that he was “officially pardoning them too, just to be safe.”
PEPPERED WITH POLITICS
Trump blasted Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker while talking about violent crime, calling him a big fat slob before insisting he didn’t want to mention it. He drew laughter when he added that he would like to lose a few pounds too.
He also criticised the limits placed on deploying the Guard to Chicago, comparing them to the tougher measures in Washington, DC.
FOREIGN POLICY SLIPS INTO THE CEREMONY
In an unscripted aside, Trump said he believed the United States was very close to a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war. "I thought that would have been an easier one,” he said. “But I think we’re making progress.”
His optimism came hours after US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll met Russian officials in Abu Dhabi to discuss a US-drafted peace framework.
A WHITE HOUSE IN OVERDRIVE
However, the Trump administration is juggling a hectic list of challenges. Trump is struggling to push forward his latest Ukraine peace proposal after European allies raised concerns. The Pentagon is preparing potential military action against Venezuela as part of an anti-drug operation that could shake the Maduro government, according to The Associated Press.
And Trump absorbed a legal setback after a federal judge dismissed indictments against James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the interim US attorney who brought the charges was improperly appointed. The Justice Department could pursue the cases again.
Even the usually festive atmosphere around the White House is disrupted. While the Christmas tree is in place, Trump’s plan to demolish the East Wing for a new ballroom has turned part of the grounds into a construction zone.
- Ends
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
Nov 26, 2025
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