Overview
- Only Gobble appeared on the podium as Waddle was noted as absent during the White House ceremony.
- Trump joked that Joe Biden’s prior turkey pardons were invalid due to an autopen and he took shots at Democratic leaders including Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker.
- Gobble and Waddle were sourced by the National Turkey Federation from a North Carolina farm after their names were chosen in a public vote promoted by Melania Trump on X.
- Following protocol, the turkeys stayed at a nearby Washington hotel before their presentation in the Rose Garden.
- After the event, the president departed for Mar-a-Lago to spend the Thanksgiving holiday, according to reports citing The Palm Beach Post.