Biden Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys at Annual Ceremony

Storyful

20 November 2023 at 4:29 pm

President Joe Biden pardoned two lucky turkeys at the White House on Monday, November 20, to mark the 76th anniversary of the annual ceremony.

The male turkeys, named Liberty and Bell, came from Willmar, Minnesota, and each weigh about 42 pounds, according to the National Turkey Federation.

“These birds have a special appreciation for the phrase ‘Let freedom ring’,” Biden joked. The event this year coincided with Biden’s 81st birthday.

Footage posted by the White House shows the ceremony take place on the South Lawn on Monday afternoon. Credit: White House via Storyful

Video transcript

JOE BIDEN: Even though Liberty and Belle are from Minnesota, they're named for a famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. These birds have a new appreciation for the word, let freedom ring. (LAUGHS) So I'm told by the Turkey Federation of Liberty Bell, and Liberty and Bell, they love Honeycrisp apples.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

- Yey.

JOE BIDEN: Not bad, huh? Ice hockey.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

I sure would like to see them play ice hockey. 1,000 Lakes and the Mall of America.

JOE BIDEN: Even though liberty and Belle are from Minnesota, they're named for a famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. These birds have a new appreciation for the word, let freedom ring. (LAUGHS) So I'm told by the Turkey Federation of Liberty Bell, and Liberty and Bell, they love Honeycrisp apples.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

- Yey.

JOE BIDEN: Not bad, huh? Ice hockey.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUSE]

I sure would like to see them play ice hockey. 1,000 Lakes, and the Mall of America.

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Biden Pardons Thanksgiving Turkeys at Annual Ceremony

Video transcript

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