Trump Directs Two Sharp Words at Illinois's Governor During the White House Turkey-Pardon Ceremony

A moment meant for lighthearted tradition veered sharply into controversy this Tuesday, as a presidential ceremony took an unexpected turn under the Rose Garden's autumn sun.

President Donald Trump turned this year's White House turkey-pardoning event into a pointed swipe at Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker, using the festive backdrop to deliver one of his bluntest personal digs while faulting the state's leaders for rejecting federal assistance amid Chicago's persistent violence.

The remark — delivered on November 25, 2025, during his appearance in the Rose Garden — came moments after Trump granted clemency to the two featured birds, Waddle and Gobble.

During the event, Trump tied his criticism to what he described as failures in Chicago's leadership, referencing last week's attack on 26-year-old Bethany MaGee aboard a CTA train. He argued that both the governor and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson had rebuffed federal assistance.

The crowd, initially expecting a light and familiar bit of presidential humor, shifted noticeably as Trump's tone turned sharper, signaling the political pivot that would shape the rest of his remarks.

President Trump Doubles Down with Off-Script Remarks

Minutes later, Trump continued riffing, suggesting he had considered using a scripted joke at Pritzker's expense but opted instead for a more direct attack.

He drifted into an unscripted aside, reflecting on the pardon process and hinting that he had a prepared jab about Pritzker's size. But as he continued, his frustration over the governor's stance on federal involvement seemed to take over, leading him to abandon the joke mid-thought before abruptly pivoting in the opposite direction.

"They have a very cute little joke. You know, some speech writer wrote some joke about his weight. Uh, but I would never want to talk about his weight. I don't talk about people being fat. I refuse to talk about the fact that he's a fat slob. I don't mention it [sic]," he added.

Light Banter About Thanksgiving

President Trump also briefly pivoted to humor about his own weight. In the same speech, he said:

"On a more serious note, as we gather around the dinner table, I'd like to lose a few pounds, too, by the way. And I'm not going to lose it on Thanksgiving. I can tell you that because I'm going to have a turkey, but it's not gonna be that one."

The exchange marked the latest round in a long-running, public back-and-forth over weight. Trump had previously argued that Pritzker "ought to spend more time in the gym," to which the governor replied, "It takes one to know one on the weight question."

Traditional Turkey Pardon and a Minor Mystery

Before moving into his sharper commentary, Trump completed the customary Thanksgiving ritual, granting the annual pardon to the designated holiday birds. "Gobble, I just want to tell you this very important. You are hereby unconditionally pardoned," he declared.

As attendees clapped, Trump briefly acknowledged the crowd and the moment, adding, "Who would want to harm this beautiful bird?"

The ceremony drew an unusually large turnout, with administration officials, employees, and their families filling the Rose Garden. But the lighthearted gathering took an odd turn online when viewers noticed that only Gobble appeared during the presentation, leaving many puzzled about Waddle's absence.

The BBC later reported that the pair of turkeys had, in fact, been granted the traditional reprieve and were headed back to their base in North Carolina. According to the outlet, Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, said Gobble was chosen as the main Thanksgiving bird.

At the same time, Waddle was designated as the alternate, ready to take the spotlight if needed.

A Tradition Looking Ahead

As the crowd filtered out of the Rose Garden, the ceremony's mix of levity and friction left questions about how the remainder of the holiday season — and the political season — might unfold. What was meant to be a brief pause from Washington's usual grind instead offered a snapshot of Donald Trump that rarely distinguishes between the ceremonial and the confrontational.

Even so, the Thanksgiving ritual moves on. With Waddle and Gobble headed to their post-pardon home and Americans preparing for their own celebrations, the moment served as a reminder that national traditions endure, even when the spotlight shifts and the script takes an unexpected turn.