Top photos: Trump, Melania pardon turkeys in Thanksgiving tradition as JD Vance and Usha arrive with daughter Mirabel

Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

Donald Trump and Melania granted pardons to two turkeys - Waddle and Gobble - during the traditional Thanksgiving ceremony at the White House.

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US First Lady Melania Trump, right, watches as President Donald Trump pardons Gobble, the 2025 National Thanksgiving Turkey, during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.(Bloomberg) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

US First Lady Melania Trump, right, watches as President Donald Trump pardons Gobble, the 2025 National Thanksgiving Turkey, during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025.(Bloomberg)

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US President Donald Trump pardons Gobble, the 2025 National Thanksgiving Turkey, during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Bloomberg) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

US President Donald Trump pardons Gobble, the 2025 National Thanksgiving Turkey, during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Bloomberg)

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US President Donald Trump speaks prior to pardoning the National Thanksgiving Turkey during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Bloomberg) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

US President Donald Trump speaks prior to pardoning the National Thanksgiving Turkey during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Bloomberg)

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The National Thanksgiving Turkeys were raised in North Carolina, and today's ceremony marks the 78th anniversary of the presentation. Photographer: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

The National Thanksgiving Turkeys were raised in North Carolina, and today's ceremony marks the 78th anniversary of the presentation. Photographer: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg(Bloomberg)

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Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speak before President Donald Trump arrives to pardon the national Thanksgiving turkeys Waddle and Gobble, during a pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)(AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speak before President Donald Trump arrives to pardon the national Thanksgiving turkeys Waddle and Gobble, during a pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)(AP)

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U.S. President Donald Trump stands next to one of two turkeys ceremonially pardoned for Thanksgiving, during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 25, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard(REUTERS) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

U.S. President Donald Trump stands next to one of two turkeys ceremonially pardoned for Thanksgiving, during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 25, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard(REUTERS)

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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were pictured while walking out to participate in a pardoning ceremony of the national Thanksgiving turkeys Waddle and Gobble, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Washington. AP/PTI(AP11_26_2025_000003B)(AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were pictured while walking out to participate in a pardoning ceremony of the national Thanksgiving turkeys Waddle and Gobble, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Washington. AP/PTI(AP11_26_2025_000003B)(AP)

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JD US Vice President JD Vance holds his daughter Mirabel as his wife, the Second Lady Usha Vance looks on after US President Donald Trump pardoned Gobble, one of the National Thanksgiving turkeys, during the turkey pardon ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC on November 25, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

JD US Vice President JD Vance holds his daughter Mirabel as his wife, the Second Lady Usha Vance looks on after US President Donald Trump pardoned Gobble, one of the National Thanksgiving turkeys, during the turkey pardon ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC on November 25, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(AFP)

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(L/R) US Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Vice President JD Vance holding his daughter Mirabel, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner look on after US President Donald Trump pardoned Gobble, one of the National Thanksgiving turkeys, during the turkey pardon ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC on November 25, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

(L/R) US Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Vice President JD Vance holding his daughter Mirabel, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner look on after US President Donald Trump pardoned Gobble, one of the National Thanksgiving turkeys, during the turkey pardon ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC on November 25, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)(AFP)

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Gobble, one of two turkeys to be ceremonially pardoned for Thanksgiving, stands in the Rose Garden during the pardoning ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 25, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Nov 26, 2025 10:55 pm IST

Gobble, one of two turkeys to be ceremonially pardoned for Thanksgiving, stands in the Rose Garden during the pardoning ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 25, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst(REUTERS)

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Shweta Kukreti

    Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.

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