Culture
Biden pardons two turkeys, Chocolate and Chip, in Thanksgiving tradition
It is believed that President John F. Kennedy was the first president to space a turkey, but President George H.W. Bush was the first to formalize the tradition
November 21, 2022 7:35pm
Updated: November 21, 2022 7:36pm
U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys from North Carolina on Monday at the South Lawn continuing the White House Thanksgiving tradition.
The two turkeys, named chocolate and chip, happily gobbled after being spared from Thanksgiving dinner tables this holiday season. The huge turkeys—Chocolate at 46 pounds (21 kg) and Chip at 47 pounds—will be living the rest of their lives at North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
To get the crowd into a joyful mood ahead of the pardon, the U.S. military band played a version of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song “Free Bird.”
While delivering his remarks to the crowd during the chilly morning, the president said he would keep his comments short because "nobody likes it when their turkey gets cold."
"Today, based on their temperament and commitment to be productive members of society, I hereby pardon this year’s National Thanksgiving Turkey – Chocolate,” Biden posted on his Twitter along with a video of the event. “And should he be unable to uphold his duties I also hereby pardon his alternate, Chip.”
Today, based on their temperament and commitment to be productive members of society, I hereby pardon this year’s National Thanksgiving Turkey – Chocolate.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 21, 2022
And should he be unable to uphold his duties I also hereby pardon his alternate, Chip. pic.twitter.com/LpXaK0OgZz
The White House turkey pardon is a tradition that dates back decades. It is believed that President John F. Kennedy was the first president to space a turkey, but President George H.W. Bush was the first to formalize the tradition.
The National Turkey Federation has donated turkeys to the White House since 1947 when President Harry Truman was president.
Last year, Biden pardoned “Peanut Butter” and “Jelly,” two turkeys from Indiana.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated that more than 40 million turkeys will be consumed at dinner tables around the U.S. this Thanksgiving.
