Trump Kicks Off Thanksgiving Week With Traditional Turkey Pardon and White House Christmas Tree Arrival

President Trump is set to participate in cherished White House holiday traditions this week, beginning with the annual turkey pardon scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The President and First Lady Melania Trump will host the lighthearted ceremony in the Rose Garden, where two fortunate turkeys will receive the traditional presidential reprieve ahead of Thanksgiving.

The White House typically engages the public in naming the pardoned birds. This year, Melania Trump has invited Americans to vote on turkey names via the social media platform X, where she shared a curated list of potential names. The ceremony continues a quirky yet enduring Washington tradition that has become a fixture of presidential holiday celebrations.

Last year’s pardoned turkeys, nicknamed “Peach” and “Blossom,” came from Minnesota, as did their predecessors “Liberty” and “Bell.” The tradition has seen presidential turkeys sourced from various states over the years, including North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, California, Virginia, and Missouri, reflecting the nationwide participation in this uniquely American custom.

The turkey pardon has evolved from a casual photo opportunity to a fully ceremonial event with significant media coverage. While its precise origins remain debated by historians, the modern version of the tradition became formalized during George H.W. Bush’s presidency and has continued uninterrupted across administrations of both parties.

In addition to the turkey pardon, this week will see the First Lady welcome the official White House Christmas tree, marking the beginning of holiday decorations at the executive mansion. This year’s tree, a Fraser fir destined for display in the Blue Room, comes from Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney Township, Michigan, approximately an hour northeast of Grand Rapids.

Farm owners Rex and Jessica Korson will personally present the tree to the First Lady. The Korsons earned this prestigious honor by winning the National Christmas Tree Association’s National Tree Contest in July, the competition that determines which farm will supply the White House Christmas tree each year. Beyond the primary Blue Room tree, the Korsons will also provide a smaller tree for the Oval Office.

The Christmas tree arrival ceremony continues a tradition dating back to 1966, when the National Christmas Tree Association began presenting the official White House Christmas tree. The First Lady typically inspects the tree upon arrival and oversees the elaborate decoration process that transforms the White House for the holiday season.

These holiday traditions arrive as Americans prepare for what is expected to be one of the busiest travel periods since the pandemic, with the Transportation Security Administration projecting record numbers at airports nationwide. Meanwhile, the American Farm Bureau Federation reports that Thanksgiving dinner costs have stabilized somewhat after several years of inflation, though certain staples remain more expensive than historical averages.

For the Trump administration, these festive events represent a return to traditional White House holiday celebrations as the President prepares to welcome visitors for seasonal tours and receptions in the decorated mansion. The White House typically hosts dozens of holiday events between Thanksgiving and Christmas, welcoming thousands of guests to view the elaborate decorations that require weeks of preparation.