President Donald Trump dramatically veered off script during the traditional White House turkey pardoning ceremony on Tuesday, transforming the lighthearted event into a platform for personal attacks and controversial statements.
Presidential Insults Overshadow Tradition
While standing in the White House's Rose Garden for the 78th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation, Trump abruptly launched into a tirade against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The president repeatedly referred to the governor as "a big, fat slob" while claiming he could solve Chicago's crime problems within weeks.
"We could make Chicago a safe city in a period of four weeks," Trump declared during his unexpected rant. "In a period of eight weeks, nine weeks, 10 weeks, it would be totally safe." He further criticized Chicago's leadership, stating "The mayor is incompetent, and the governor is a big, fat slob."
Contradictory Behavior and Holiday Message
In a striking display of contradiction, Trump repeatedly insisted he wasn't commenting on Pritzker's weight while simultaneously doing exactly that. "I don't talk about people being fat," he claimed, before immediately continuing his weight-related remarks. He boasted about having a "very cute" joke about Pritzker's size but applauded himself for not sharing it.
Without apparent self-awareness, Trump then pivoted to delivering a solemn holiday message, earnestly calling on Americans to "renew our faith in God's providence" as they "enjoy the fellowship of family and friends" during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Turkeys Pardoned Amid Controversial Comments
The ceremony proceeded with the pardoning of two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle from North Carolina. However, even this traditional moment became controversial when Trump joked about considering sending the birds to CECOT, a notorious megaprison in El Salvador known for brutal treatment of detainees.
Trump also used the opportunity to criticize his predecessor, President Joe Biden, claiming that Biden's use of an autopen to sign last year's turkey pardon rendered it invalid. "I have determined that last year's turkey pardons are totally invalid, as are the pardons of almost every other person," Trump declared, despite having used an autopen himself during his presidency.
The president concluded this portion of his remarks by staring down Attorney General Pam Bondi in the crowd and demanding, "What are you going to do about that, Pam?"
The event occurred alongside reporting from The Washington Post that Trump had recently pardoned Joseph Schwartz, a nursing home tycoon convicted of fraud, after Schwartz paid nearly $1 million to lobbyists who appealed to the Trump administration on his behalf.
