President Trump Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys Gobble and Waddle in Rose Garden Tradition
President Donald Trump has officially pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys—Gobble and Waddle—continuing one of America’s most beloved holiday traditions. The ceremony took place in the Rose Garden at the White House, where the President was joined by members of his Cabinet, representatives from the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball.
Gobble and Waddle, weighing in at 52 and 50 pounds respectively, were raised in Kenly, North Carolina by Travis Pittman and the Pittman family of Nahunta Community Farms. Earlier in the week, the birds were formally selected during a ceremony at the Pittman farm, attended by US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Pittman, and Jandrain. During the selection, Pittman expressed gratitude for the honor, saying, “To be the grower that supplies these birds, I’m just very grateful to be able to represent our state of North Carolina at the White House and all the farmers across our country, Lord that are working hard every day for this.”
The Turkeys’ Presidential Treatment
Before the ceremony, Gobble and Waddle traveled to Washington, where they stayed as special guests at the Willard Hotel. Their visit included appearances at various official events—an annual tradition that highlights the lighthearted and symbolic nature of the Thanksgiving pardon.
A Tradition with Historical Roots
According to the White House Historical Association, the modern annual turkey pardon officially began during the George H. W. Bush administration in 1989. However, earlier presidents—including John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, as well as First Ladies Pat Nixon and Rosalynn Carter—also took part in pardoning turkeys informally before the tradition was formally established.
Today, the turkey pardon remains a cherished part of America’s Thanksgiving celebrations, honoring farmers, spotlighting agriculture, and offering a moment of humor and reflection as the holiday season begins.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.