"President Donald Trump didn't bring much holiday cheer Tuesday when bestowing ceremonial pardons on two Thanksgiving turkeys, dispensing more insults than goodwill at the traditional White House ritual. He joked about sending the turkeys to an infamous prison in El Salvador that has been used to house migrants deported from the United States. He said the birds should be named Chuck and Nancy - after Democratic stalwarts Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi - but "I would never pardon those people.""
"Trump claimed that last year's turkey pardons, issued by President Joe Biden, were invalid because he used an autopen. "Where's Hunter?" he said, suggesting that his predecessor's son could once again face legal jeopardy. And all of that was before Trump turned his attention to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat who has resisted the White House's plans to deploy the National Guard in Chicago. Trump said he had a joke prepared about Pritzker, but "I refuse to talk about the fact that he's a fat slob. I don't mention it.""
""Gobble, I just want to tell you this - very important - you are hereby unconditionally pardoned," Trump said. He reached over to run his hand over the feathers, saying, "Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?" Waddle had previously been spotted in the White House briefing room. "Waddle, want to give us a gobble?" White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asked. The turkey obliged. "Very on message!" Leavitt said."
Donald Trump performed the ceremonial pardons for two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, while making repeated political insults and jabs. He joked about sending the birds to a notorious Salvadoran prison and suggested naming them after Democratic leaders while saying he would not pardon those people. He questioned the validity of last year's pardons, referenced Hunter Biden, and mocked Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Trump physically pardoned the birds and stroked a turkey's feathers, and White House aides prompted the turkeys to gobble. He also asserted that Thanksgiving meal prices were dropping under his leadership.
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