On November 25, 2025, President Donald Trump conducted the traditional Thanksgiving turkey pardon ceremony at the White House, where he pardoned two turkeys named Gobble and Waddle. In a departure from the customary lightheartedness of the event, Trump made partisan remarks, suggesting that the pardons issued by former President Joe Biden in 2024 were invalid. He claimed these pardons were executed using an autopen, a method he argued undermined their legitimacy.

Trump referenced an investigation involving Attorney General Pam Bondi, the FBI, and the CIA, asserting that the previous year's pardons for turkeys named Peach and Blossom were also illegitimate. He stated, "I have determined that last year’s turkey pardons are totally invalid, as are the pardons of about every other person that was pardoned," while humorously noting that he considered Hunter Biden's pardon to be the only legitimate one.

During the ceremony, Trump made light of the situation by jokingly suggesting that he would never pardon Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, further emphasizing the political undertones of the event. After his remarks, he ceremonially pardoned the turkeys, declaring, "Gobble, I just want to tell you this, very important, you are hereby unconditionally pardoned!" The turkeys were later seen in the White House press briefing room, accompanied by press secretary Karoline Leavitt and her son.

This year's ceremony reflects ongoing political tensions and the use of traditional events for partisan commentary, raising questions about the role of such ceremonies in a polarized political climate.