Thanksgiving Turkeys Get a Second Chance

President Donald Trump made news on Tuesday, not just for pardoning two turkeys, but also for hinting at a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. The two turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, raised on a small farm in North Carolina, won't be ending up on anyone's dinner table this Thanksgiving. Instead, they'll be retiring to North Carolina State University's poultry science department. Trump took a jab at former President Joe Biden, claiming that Biden's turkey pardons from last year were "totally invalid" because they were signed using an autopen. Trump joked that he had "officially pardoned" those turkeys too, saving them just in time. The pardoning ceremony, a tradition that dates back to the 1940s, is more than just a fun event. It's also a way to promote America's poultry industry. This year's ceremony is the first of Trump's second term, and it comes at a time when turkey prices have skyrocketed. The U. S. turkey flock is at its smallest size in nearly 40 years due to avian flu outbreaks, and demand for turkey meat is at an all-time high. This has caused wholesale turkey prices to jump by about 75% from October 2024, and retail turkey prices have risen by more than 25%. Despite this, the broader Thanksgiving meal for 10 is less expensive for the third straight year. Retailers are offering holiday promotions to attract budget-conscious shoppers. Walmart, Aldi, Amazon, and Target have all announced deals on Thanksgiving dinner bundles. But while these deals might help, the rising cost of turkey is still a concern for many. This year's turkey pardon comes at a time when Trump has been using his pardon power more frequently. He has granted relief to over 1, 000 January 6 rioters and high-profile figures like former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, disgraced former representative George Santos, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.