PoliticoDonald Trump pardons Corn the turkey as a finishing White House act
- ‘Thanksgiving is a very special day for turkeys. Not a very good one, when you think about it,’ the president said
- Trump cracked jokes as he took part in White House tradition for the last time in his term
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Matthew Choi on politico.com on November 24, 2020.
US President Donald Trump officially pardoned Corn the turkey from the dinner table on Tuesday, presenting a chipper mood as his presidency enters its twilight.
Standing before about 100 guests on a sunny fall day, with first lady Melania Trump at his side, the president cracked jokes as he partook in a White House tradition for the last time of his term.
“Thanksgiving is a very special day for turkeys. Not a very good one, when you think about it,” Trump said.
He kicked off celebrating a healthy stock market and celebrated the country's farmers, police and military. He also celebrated the enduring tradition of the turkey pardon, evoking its origins in the days of Abraham Lincoln, but the signs of an unusually troubled year were apparent.
Trump lauded the progress on coronavirus vaccines and thanked health care workers for their efforts in controlling the pandemic. And while the president and first lady did not wear masks, other attendees had their faces covered.