President Joe Biden’s final turkey pardon as president unfolded Monday with all the usual pomp, humor, and a few signature gaffes that have come to define his public appearances. The event, a lighthearted White House tradition, marked a moment of levity as the country transitions toward a new administration under President-elect Donald Trump.
Biden pardoned two turkeys, Peaches and Cream, with Peaches in particular stealing the spotlight. Gobbling and ruffling his feathers as Biden spoke, Peaches seemed to embody the playful spirit of the event. The president acknowledged the turkeys’ origins in Minnesota and took the opportunity to reference a local culinary favorite: Tater Tot Hotdish.
Watch as President Biden pardoned a pair of Thanksgiving turkeys, in a 77-year-old White House tradition, marking the end stage of his presidency. https://t.co/ShHZ2xSn9A pic.twitter.com/h1zNHTp5LP
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 25, 2024
But in typical Biden fashion, the delivery wasn’t flawless. “According to the experts, Peach weighs 41 pounds and loves to eat hotdish and teter to—tator tots, and cross-country skis,” Biden said, stumbling over the dish’s name to laughter from the audience. As Doug P from Twitchy quipped, whoever put “tater tot hotdish” in the teleprompter was daring Biden to trip over it.
Biden’s remarks weren’t all humor. After pardoning the turkeys, he struck a more serious tone, expressing gratitude for his time as president and reflecting on personal loss. He mentioned his late son, Beau Biden, honoring his “service and sacrifice,” and offered condolences to those facing Thanksgiving with an empty seat at the table this year.
Biden, struggling to read from his teleprompter at the annual turkey pardon, botches the “tater tot hot dish” line in a disgusting affront to Midwesterners pic.twitter.com/kKLyX2L11l
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 25, 2024
It was a heartfelt moment, though Biden did briefly stumble when referring to Thanksgiving as “tonight” instead of Thursday, quickly correcting himself.
While the event was largely ceremonial, political undertones were impossible to ignore. Biden’s presidency is winding down amid questions about his legacy, the transition to a Trump administration, and the ongoing Hunter Biden saga.
Biden, crushing it pic.twitter.com/3mCw07wGe6
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) November 25, 2024
The topic of presidential pardons—lighthearted in the context of turkeys—takes on a more serious dimension this year. Biden has publicly stated he will not pardon his son Hunter, who faces legal challenges, though he declined to elaborate further when pressed. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has also avoided addressing the issue.
Meanwhile, Trump, who takes office in less than two months, has hinted at a more open stance, saying he would consider a pardon for Hunter if asked.
— ForAmerica (@ForAmerica) November 25, 2024
The turkey pardon is a time-honored tradition, dating back 77 years. President George H.W. Bush formalized the “pardon” aspect in 1989, giving the event its current playful tone. For Biden, this year’s ceremony was a chance to reflect on his presidency, share a few laughs, and prepare for the upcoming holiday season—even as larger questions loom over the political landscape.
