US President Donald Trump granted 'Presidential pardons' to two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle on Tuesday at the White House. Raised on a farm in the state of North Carolina, the turkeys weighed more than 50 pounds each, and got a stay at the Wilard InterContinental Hotel before the ceremony at the White House.
Why were the turkeys pardoned?
Pardoning of turkeys before Thanksgiving goes back to the establishment of the 'Thanksgiving Ritual' by former US President George H.W. Bush, which is to be held across the world on Thursday, 27 November. This is one of the lighthearted ceremonies held at the office and residence of the US President, where the turkeys are prevented from falling on the chopping board for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Also Read | Viral ‘Trump Insurance’ post claims Democrats must pay more: Here’s the truth
Trump, however, jokingly added that he wanted to name the turkeys Chuck and Nancy after Democrat leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, but instantaneously remarked that he would not pardon the two leaders ever.
Taking a swipe at former President Joe Biden, Trump quipped that the two birds named Peach and Blossom, who were pardoned as a part of the same ceremony, were really not pardoned as Biden "used an automated signing device" to do so. Trump "re-pardoned" them as well.
What will happen to the pardoned turkeys?
Gobble and Waddle will proceed to retire to the agriculture college of the North Carolina State University, where they will live their days under the institution's care and die natural deaths with age.
