US President Joe Biden used his presidential prerogatives on Monday, November 21 to pardon two turkeys ahead of the big family celebration of Thanksgiving, where these birds are traditionally served stuffed.
“That’s a beautiful bird,” exclaimed the president when the turkey named Chocolate, 21 kg strong, was placed on a table. Chip and Chocolate” (Nugget and Chocolate), two large white turkeys, were named after Joe Biden’s favorite ice cream flavor, who did not fail to tell schoolchildren present for the event. The light-hearted ceremony is an annual tradition at the White House and often the occasion for a few jokes.
“Not stuffed” ballot boxes
The president used the results of the recent midterm elections, where his party surprised everyone by doing better than expected, to launch a few jokes and puns, like at the ballot box which, he said, n have not been “stuffed” – reference to unfounded accusations of electoral fraud launched by certain Republicans. Stuffed turkey is the traditional dish served in the United States on the occasion of Thanksgiving, which celebrates the first harvest, obtained with the help of Native Americans, English pilgrims freshly arrived on the American continent.
Joe Biden also mentioned how the Covid-19 pandemic has severely restricted such celebrations for Americans in recent years, and urged his guests to feel gratitude for those who protected them during the health crisis, including the doctors, nurses and scientists. “Two years ago we couldn’t even celebrate Thanksgiving with large family gatherings. Now we can”he rejoiced.