President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday Tuesday with the traditional pardoning of the National Thanksgiving Turkey.
During a Rose Garden event, Trump exercised his pardon power to grant a full pardon to a lucky gobbler named Corn while celebrating the soaring stock market and the “strength, loyalty and faith” of Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“What we’ve endured and been able to endure, with the vaccines now coming out one after another – it’s an incredible thing that happened,” Trump said during brief remarks from the Rose Garden. “One of the greatest medical achievements that this planet has ever seen. But it’s time to remember that we live in a great, great country. The greatest of them all. And there’s nothing even close, as far as I’m concerned.”
“We send our love to every member of the armed forces and the law enforcement heroes risking their lives to keep America safe, to keep America great, and as I say, America first. Shouldn’t go away from that. America first,” Trump added
Trump called Corn “a lucky bird” that has been waiting to receive his presidential reprieve.
Which turkey should President Trump pardon at this year’s National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony—Corn or Cob?
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 23, 2020
“Like so many presidential flocks, this one started in the great state of Iowa in what can only have been described as an act of blatant pandering — and by the way, I love the state of Iowa — these two turkeys sought to win the support of Iowans across the state by naming themselves Corn and Cob,” Trump said.
Corn was chosen for the pardon and the title of National Thanksgiving Turkey over another gobbler named Cob. Both are part of a “presidential flock” of birds raised by turkey producers Ron and Susie Kardel of Walcott, Iowa. Though Corn got the official pardon, the lives of both turkeys will be spared. They will live out their days at Iowa State University and be available for public viewing starting Dec. 5.
“Corn, I hereby grant you a full pardon!” Trump said, pardoning the winning turkey.
The turkey pardoning is an annual holiday tradition that has its roots dating back to President Abraham Lincoln and was made official in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush.
The President and the First Lady will remain at the White House for Thanksgiving this year, cancelling plans to spend Thanksgiving at their Mar-a-Lago private resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
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