HYGO News Trump & the First Lady Present the National Thanksgiving Turkey
Trump and the First Lady Present the National Thanksgiving Turkey
On November 24, 2020, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in the annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation in the Rose Garden of the White House. Trump opened the ceremony by celebrating the Dow Jones Industrial Average breaking 30,000 for the first time in history before pardoning a 42-pound turkey named Corn. The event, a lighthearted tradition, was held against the backdrop of the contested election and the ongoing pandemic, with Trump using the platform to tout economic achievements alongside the traditional holiday festivities.
Dow 30,000 Announcement
Before turning to the turkey pardon, Trump devoted his opening remarks to the stock market milestone. “The Dow Jones Industrial Average just broke, for the first time in history, 30,000,” he announced to applause. “That’s great for jobs, and it’s good for everything.”
He placed the achievement in the context of his administration’s broader record: “This is the ninth time that we set a record during the course of 2020, and it’s the 48th time that we’ve set the record during the Trump administration. And there’s never been anything like that.”
Trump credited both the White House team and the American public: “I just want to congratulate everybody that worked so hard: the White House, but maybe most importantly, the people of our country. It’s a tremendous achievement.”
The Turkey Pardon
The National Turkey Federation presented two birds for the occasion: Corn and Cob, both from Iowa. In a lighthearted online poll leading up to the event, voters had been asked to choose between the two candidates. Corn, a 42-pounder with a 35-inch wingspan, was described as loving college football and storm chasing, while the 41-pound Cob was said to enjoy pickleball and puzzles.
Corn was named the 2020 National Thanksgiving Turkey, though both turkeys would retire to Iowa State University’s campus. The tradition of the presidential turkey pardon dates back decades and has become one of the most reliably lighthearted annual events at the White House.
Tree farm owners and the National Turkey Federation representatives attended the ceremony in the Rose Garden.
Key Takeaways
- Trump used the opening of the turkey pardon ceremony to announce the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossing 30,000 for the first time, calling it the 48th stock market record during his administration.
- Corn, a 42-pound turkey from Iowa, was named the 2020 National Thanksgiving Turkey, with both Corn and runner-up Cob retiring to Iowa State University.
- The traditional Rose Garden ceremony took place against the backdrop of the contested election and the pandemic, with Trump blending economic accomplishments into the lighthearted holiday tradition.