In a nod to a long-standing tradition, President Trump exercised his executive clemency to grant pardons to two turkeys, Waddle and Gobble, sparing them from becoming Thanksgiving dinner. This tradition, which has become a prominent part of presidential rituals since 1989, took center stage once again this year.

While only Gobble was present during the official White House ceremony, Waddle had already made an impression earlier in the day. Accompanied by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Waddle made a special appearance in the White House briefing room.

“Waddle, want to give us a gobble?” Leavitt playfully asked, to which the turkey responded enthusiastically, prompting Leavitt to quip, “Very on message!”

During the main event, President Trump, with First Lady Melania Trump by his side, stood beside Gobble as they carried out the ceremonial pardon. This light-hearted event brought a moment of warmth and tradition to the White House, as the turkey enjoyed its newfound freedom.

At the main event, Trump stood next to Gobble alongside First Lady Melania Trump.

“Gobble, I just want to tell you this – very important – you are hereby unconditionally pardoned,” Trump said, drawing applause from the Rose Garden crowd following remarks.

He then reached over to give the plump bird a pet.

“Who would want to harm this beautiful bird,” Trump was overheard saying.

It wasn’t clear exactly what had happened to Waddle, the second turkey set for reprieve.

“Waddle, by the way, is missing in action, but that’s OK. We’ll pretend Waddle is here,” Trump said.

The president also used the occasion to rail against his political rivals.

Trump claimed that Biden had used an autopen for last year’s turkey pardon, which he claimed therefore made them “totally invalid.”

He went on to joke that “Peach” and “Blossom,” the turkeys pardoned by Biden, were on their way to be processed, but that he was officially pardoning them along with this year’s birds.

Illinois Governer JB Pritzker, who has pushed back on Trump’s threats to send the National Guard into Chicago, also came in for a serve.

“Governor Pritzker, if you’re listening, let’s get your act together,” Trump said, while calling the governor a “big fat slob.”

“I refuse to talk about the fact that he’s a fat slob. I don’t mention it,” Trump went on, before adding that he would like to lose a few pounds, too.

Reported with Associated Press.