On November 25, 2025, at the White House in Washington, D.C., Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States, stood before two enormous turkeys named Gobble and Waddle and declared, "They were on their way to be processed... but I have stopped that journey." The annual turkey pardon — a ritual stretching back to 1947 — took on new weight this year as Trump highlighted a startling economic shift: USDA data showed turkey prices had dropped 33% from their peak under the previous administration, with the average Thanksgiving meal costing 25% less than in 2024. "That’s a big deal," Trump said, pausing to glance at the birds. "Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?"
Record Turkeys, Real Savings
The two turkeys, bred on a family farm in North Carolina, weighed in at 58 and 61 pounds — the heaviest on record for a presidential pardon. White House staff described them as "unusually calm," though Trump joked mid-ceremony, "Are they violent at all? Will they attack as I walk over?" The birds, originally destined for commercial processing, were spared under a tradition formalized by George H.W. Bush in 1989. This year, they’ll join previous pardoned turkeys at Morven Park’s William Woods University in Leesburg, Virginia — a sanctuary for presidentially spared poultry.Behind the spectacle, the numbers told a quieter story. According to USDA’s November 2025 report, the average price per pound of fresh turkey fell to $1.42, down from $2.12 in 2023. That’s a 33% drop — the steepest single-year decline since recordkeeping began in 1995. Grocery chains reported increased bulk purchases, and turkey sales surged 18% compared to last year. "It’s not just about the bird," said Dr. Linda Reyes, an agricultural economist at the University of Illinois. "It’s about feed costs, labor, and transportation. All of those came down. Farmers are breathing easier. Families are too."
Pope’s Thanksgiving Message Amid Diplomatic Mission
Two days later, on November 27, 2025, Pope Leo XIV, the newly installed head of the Roman Catholic Church, addressed a group of 80 journalists aboard the papal flight en route to Turkey. "To the Americans here, happy Thanksgiving," he said, his voice warm but deliberate. "I want to thank you for the service you offer — not just to me, but to the whole world."Though his trip was framed as a diplomatic effort to foster interfaith peace — culminating in a Prayer Meeting with Clergy scheduled for November 28 in Istanbul — the Pope’s timing was unmistakable. His remarks on brotherhood, unity, and shared humanity echoed the spirit of Thanksgiving, even as he stood thousands of miles from turkey dinners and pumpkin pie. "We are all brothers and sisters," he said, "in spite of differences, in spite of different beliefs."
The Vatican Press Office confirmed that the Pope’s visit to Turkey — his first as pontiff — was designed to mend ties with the Eastern Orthodox Church and to signal openness to Muslim communities. "He didn’t mention turkeys," said Vatican correspondent Maria Delgado. "But he didn’t have to. The message was the same: gratitude, peace, and the dignity of every life."
A Tradition Rooted in Compassion — and Politics
The turkey pardon began as a symbolic gesture, not a legal act. Presidents since Truman received live turkeys as gifts from the National Turkey Federation. But it wasn’t until Bush Sr. used the word "pardon" that the ritual took on its modern meaning. Since then, the event has become a blend of pageantry, political theater, and quiet symbolism. In 2001, George W. Bush pardoned a turkey named "Liberty," saying, "It’s a good day to be a turkey." In 2019, Donald Trump joked about turning the bird into "a very nice Thanksgiving dinner," then paused and added, "Just kidding. We’re pardoning it."This year’s ceremony carried added weight. With inflation still fresh in voters’ minds, Trump’s emphasis on price drops wasn’t accidental. "This isn’t just about turkeys," said political analyst Raj Patel. "It’s about connecting policy outcomes to people’s wallets. When you can say, ‘Your Thanksgiving dinner is cheaper,’ you’re not just celebrating tradition — you’re claiming credit for it."
What Comes Next?
Gobble and Waddle will spend the rest of their lives at Morven Park, where they’ll be monitored by veterinary staff and occasionally featured in educational programs for schoolchildren. Meanwhile, the USDA expects turkey prices to remain stable through 2026, thanks to improved feed efficiency and expanded domestic production. As for Pope Leo XIV, his visit to Turkey ends with a public Mass on December 1, 2025, before he returns to the Vatican. His words — "thank you," "brothers and sisters," "peace" — may linger longer than any pardon.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did turkey prices drop so sharply in 2025?
According to USDA data, turkey prices fell 33% due to a combination of factors: improved feed conversion rates in poultry farms, lower grain costs after a record corn harvest in the Midwest, and increased domestic production capacity. Supply chain improvements following pandemic-era disruptions also contributed, reducing transportation delays and labor shortages that had driven prices up in 2022–2023.
What happens to the pardoned turkeys after the ceremony?
Since 2007, most pardoned turkeys have been sent to Morven Park’s William Woods University in Virginia, which operates a dedicated turkey sanctuary. They live out their natural lives — typically 4–6 more years — under veterinary care, often serving as educational ambassadors for school groups. Previous turkeys have also been housed at Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Is Pope Leo XIV’s Thanksgiving greeting unusual for a Pope?
Yes. While Popes have acknowledged American holidays before, this is the first time a Pope has directly wished Americans "Happy Thanksgiving" while en route to a foreign nation. The gesture was widely interpreted as a diplomatic nod to U.S. Catholics and media, reinforcing the Vatican’s emphasis on global unity. It also subtly aligned Catholic values of gratitude and compassion with American cultural traditions.
Has a President ever pardoned more than two turkeys before?
Only once. In 2017, President Trump pardoned three turkeys — Gobble, Waddle, and a third named "Pilgrim" — after a viral social media campaign. The 2025 pardon returned to the traditional two-turkey format, but with record-breaking size. The inclusion of a third turkey remains rare and typically tied to special anniversaries or public campaigns.
Why is the turkey pardon held at the White House?
The ceremony moved to the White House in 1947, when the National Turkey Federation began presenting live turkeys to the President as a goodwill gesture. The tradition became official in 1989 under George H.W. Bush, who used the word "pardon" for the first time. The White House location underscores the event’s symbolic weight — it’s not just about food, but about presidential authority, mercy, and national identity.
How does this year’s pardon compare to past ones politically?
This year’s event was the most economically focused in decades. While past pardons leaned into sentimentality or humor, Trump explicitly tied the ceremony to USDA price data, framing it as a policy win. Analysts noted this mirrors his 2016 campaign strategy: using holiday moments to spotlight economic gains. It also contrasts sharply with Biden’s 2023 pardon, which focused on animal welfare and climate-friendly farming.
