Trump is still carrying on with Thanksgiving traditions as controversy swirls around the White House and the presidency.
Trump might not be ready to talk about the transition of power but he is ready to talk turkey. He’s ready to carry on the Presidential tradition of turkey pardoning amid the reported spike in coronavirus cases, school children moving to full-time virtual learning, and a country that’s slowly shutting down, again.
The annual pardon will take place at the White House on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The turkeys will travel to Washington D.C. and, after receiving their pardons, the birds will then travel to Iowa State University where they will live out the rest of their lives.
The annual tradition started in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln reportedly first pardoned a turkey. It was later made official in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush.
President Has Been Keeping a Low Profile
Despite his occasional Twitter blasts that are known to ruffle feathers, Trump hasn’t had a public event on his schedule for 11 days. However, he did make four official appearances since the Election but only publically spoken twice. Trump has only made the exception to leave the White House for two things. This includes weekend golf outings, and a visit to Arlington National Cemetary on Veteran’s Day all the while ducking reporters.
CNN reports that Trump spends his mornings in the executive residence watching TV. Then he meanders to the Oval Office for the rest of the day. Lastly, he returns “home” in the evenings.
Trump to Spend Thanksgiving at the White House
Not only is Trump limiting his public appearances, but he’s also canceling his annual plans to spend Thanksgiving at his Mar-a-Lago resort. The Business Insider reports that Trump’s aides describe a “bunker mentality” in the White House.
Trump and his family were planning to travel to Florida next week but Melania Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, shared a message regarding the President’s decision to stay put, in the true Trump fashion.
Grisham tweets, “Holiday Scheduling Update: The @POTUS & @flotus will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday at the @WhiteHouse this year.”
So, it seems the president will not be halting the tradition cold turkey, as he looks to pardon the birds before Thanksgiving and devour a meal within the White House.
