Donald Trump speaks during a pardoning ceremony for the national Thanksgiving turkeys Waddle and Gobble in the Rose Garden of the White House. (Photo: AP) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday took potshots at Democratic party leaders, including his predecessor Joe Biden, as he participated in the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House.
As he pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys, Waddle and Gobble, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Trump suggested that the pardon issued to two birds last year by Biden was invalid.

Trump has long accused Biden of using an autopen to sign bills, making them invalid.
According to Trump, Biden used an autopen for 2024’s turkey pardon.
He went on to joke that Peach and Blossom, the two turkeys pardoned by Biden, were on their way to be processed, but that he was officially pardoning them along with this year’s birds.
PARDON DAY 🦃🇺🇸
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 25, 2025
Gobble, you are officially free! pic.twitter.com/EW0BGvEtBd
Trump also used the opportunity to vent his anger at longtime Democratic foes, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi.
“The turkeys being pardoned today go by the names Gobble and Waddle. When I first saw their pictures… I was going to call them Chuck and Nancy — but then I realized I wouldn’t be pardoning them. I would never pardon those two people,” Trump said.
.@POTUS: "The turkeys being pardoned today go by the names Gobble and Waddle. When I first saw their pictures… I was going to call them Chuck and Nancy — but then I realized I wouldn't be pardoning them. I would never pardon those two people." 🤣 pic.twitter.com/XuhIbTGUbI
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 25, 2025
The US President also mocked another Democrat, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, during the annual White House turkey pardoning ceremony.
As he touted the National Guard deployment in Washington, DC, Trump complained about being blocked from doing the same in Chicago.
“Gov Pritzker, if you’re listening, let’s get your act together,” he said, while calling the governor a “big fat slob.”
“I refuse to talk about the fact that he’s a fat slob. I don’t mention it,” Trump went on, before adding that he would like to lose a few pounds, too.

There was more drama at the annual White House turkey pardoning ceremony as one of the birds, Waddle, was missing.
Gobble & Waddle living their best life.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 25, 2025
🇺🇸 Don’t miss the Presidential Turkey Pardon — 12 PM EST! pic.twitter.com/YwCtCdn3Mz
“Waddle, by the way, is missing in action, but that’s OK. We’ll pretend Waddle is here,” Trump said.