Turkey “Waddle” Takes Press Briefing Questions Before Presidential Pardon

President Trump’s White House kicked off the holiday season on Tuesday with a visit from “Waddle,” one of two turkeys slated for the traditional presidential pardon, bringing a festive atmosphere to the briefing room ahead of Thanksgiving.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt introduced the hefty bird to reporters, as a representative from the National Turkey Federation confirmed that Waddle weighs more than 50 pounds. Journalists seized the opportunity to pose lighthearted questions to the turkey, asking everything from his views on Ukraine peace negotiations to what offense had landed him in need of presidential clemency.

Following their official pardon, Waddle and his companion “Gobble” will relocate to North Carolina State University, where they will serve as “turkey ambassadors for our industry,” according to the NTF spokeswoman. The turkeys’ names were chosen through a public poll conducted by First Lady Melania Trump on social media platform X.

The presidential turkey pardon has become one of America’s most recognizable White House holiday traditions. In past administrations, the birds typically came from Minnesota, including last year’s pardoned turkeys “Peach” and “Blossom” and their predecessors “Liberty” and “Bell.” This year marks a change in the supply chain, adding to the diverse list of states that have provided turkeys over the years, including North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, California, Virginia and Missouri.

The turkey pardon tradition, while lighthearted, has significant cultural importance in American political life. It offers presidents a moment of levity during the Thanksgiving season and has evolved into a media event that symbolizes the beginning of the holiday season in Washington.

This week also features another cherished White House holiday tradition – the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree. This year’s tree, a Fraser fir that will be displayed in the Blue Room, comes from Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney Township, Michigan, about an hour northeast of Grand Rapids.

The honor of providing the White House Christmas tree went to farm owners Rex and Jessica Korson after they won the National Christmas Tree Association’s National Tree Contest in July. The competition has long determined which farm supplies the official White House tree each year, making it a coveted recognition within the Christmas tree industry. In addition to the main tree for the Blue Room, the Korsons will also provide a smaller tree for display in the Oval Office.

These holiday traditions hold particular significance this year as they mark the return of the Trump administration to the White House after a four-year absence. For the First Lady, who previously oversaw White House holiday decorations during the first Trump administration from 2017-2021, this represents a continuation of her earlier work establishing the aesthetic and tone of White House holiday celebrations.

The dual events – the turkey pardon and the Christmas tree arrival – signal the official start of the holiday season at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. They provide a momentary pause from political tensions, allowing Americans to observe time-honored traditions that transcend partisan divides and celebrate shared national customs.

As visitors begin flocking to Washington, D.C., for the holidays, the decorated White House will soon become a showcase of seasonal celebration, with the pardoned turkeys and the Michigan-grown Christmas tree serving as central features in America’s annual holiday traditions.