Trump kicks off Thanksgiving week with turkey pardon and Christmas tree arrival
As Thanksgiving approaches, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are embracing the festive spirit with beloved White House traditions. On Tuesday, they will participate in the annual turkey pardon, a whimsical ceremony held in the Rose Garden where two lucky turkeys are spared from becoming dinner. This lighthearted event not only highlights the season’s spirit but also engages the public, as citizens are invited to suggest names for the turkeys. This year, Melania Trump took to social media platform X to solicit votes for potential names, continuing a tradition that has seen previous pardoned turkeys such as “Peach” and “Blossom” come from Minnesota. The annual turkey pardon has become a hallmark of Thanksgiving at the White House, with birds also sourced from states like North Carolina, Indiana, and Iowa, showcasing a diverse selection of American agriculture.
In addition to the turkey pardon, the First Lady will also mark the beginning of the Christmas season by welcoming the official White House Christmas tree. This year’s Fraser fir, sourced from Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney Township, Michigan, will be displayed in the Blue Room of the White House. The Korson family, who won the National Christmas Tree Association’s National Tree Contest in July, will present the tree, which is expected to be a centerpiece of holiday celebrations at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Alongside the main tree, a smaller version will also be placed in the Oval Office, further enhancing the festive decor. These traditions not only reflect the holiday spirit but also create a sense of community and celebration that resonates with the American public during this special time of year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAlBPH8RGWI
President
Donald Trump
is kicking off Thanksgiving week with some classic White House holiday traditions.
On Tuesday afternoon, Trump and first lady Melania Trump are expected to take part in one of Washington’s quirkiest traditions, the annual turkey pardon. The lighthearted ceremony takes place in the Rose Garden, where the president spares two lucky birds ahead of
Thanksgiving
.
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The White House often lets the public get involved in naming the turkeys, usually selecting from fan submissions.
This year, the first lady asked people to vote on X, sharing a shortlist of possible names.
Last year’s pardoned turkeys, “Peach” and “Blossom” and the ones before them, “Liberty” and “Bell,” all came from Minnesota.
North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, California, Virginia and Missouri have all sent turkeys to the White House.
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Also this week, the first lady will welcome the official White House
Christmas
tree, marking the start of the season at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
This year’s tree comes from Korson’s Tree Farms in Sidney Township, Michigan, which is about an hour northeast of Grand Rapids.
The Fraser fir, which will stand in the Blue Room of the White House, will be presented by farm owners Rex and Jessica Korson. The two will also supply a smaller tree for the Oval Office.
The family earned the honor by winning the National Christmas Tree Association’s National Tree Contest in July, the competition that selects the farm supplying the White House Christmas tree each year.
