Ghost Of Thanksgiving Past -- President Once Ridiculed a Turkey for Contesting an Election

By Brad Slager | 3:07 PM on November 24, 2020

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It seems odd to find an omen in such a poultry example, but this IS 2020, after all…

Today President Trump made what has become a rare appearance following the election, staging the annual White House event, the official pardoning of the turkeys. This odd but fanciful tradition has been taking place in various forms over the generations, with George H.W. Bush being the first to actually ‘’pardon’’ the birds, back in 1989.

During his term President Trump has had the practice of two birds, with appropriate but bland names, and then holding a contest on the official website of the White House for people to vote for which bird gets the official pardon. This year the choice was between a pair of fowl, ‘’Corn’’, and ‘’Cobb’’. Frankly, we are shocked that Trump did not opt for his usual trolling methods and have the second bird dubbed ‘’Pop’’.

But what is at issue here is the ceremony for the turkeys held in 2018. That year the toms were named ‘’Peas’’ and ‘’Carrots’’, and the President made a unique — and today, telling — comment. While being lighthearted during his speech Trump referenced the vote for who would be the pardoned bird. Peas had won the online voting, and Trump began to playfully chide the ‘’loser’’ in his speech.

“The winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election conducted on the White House website. Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount, and we’re still fighting with Carrots. I can tell you we’ve come to a conclusion, and Carrots, I’m sorry to tell you the result did not change. It’s too bad for Carrots.”

There is a bit of a cruel irony in all of this, of course. Here is the same man who has been steadfast in his declaration that the result of the election is deeply in question, and he has yet to concede the loss to Biden, berating a bird over the same reaction just two years ago.

It is an ironic spin on a mundane experience at the White House, and it is sure to be harped on by many on the left. Just as the turkey will be sent to a farm and spared a dinner plate fate, many on the left are calling for the President to be put out to pasture in the same method.