A pair of turkeys named Bread and Butter, that will be pardoned by President Donald Trump, were checked into their room at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC on Monday night, while awaiting the White House pardoning ceremony later this week ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
According to wiki, traditionally, the President of the United States is presented with a live domestic turkey by the National Turkey Federation, usually males of the Broad Breasted White variety.
The early years also included a joint presentation with the Poultry and Egg National Board.
The ceremony dates back to the 1940s, with presidents occasionally sparing the bird presented to them.
During the Presidency of George H. W. Bush, it became a tradition for the president to issue a mock “pardon” to the turkey, sparing the turkey’s life.
This year’s Thanksgiving holds on Thursday, November 28.
The names of the bulbous butterballs were unveiled Monday during a press conference at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in the nation’s capital —where the duo will be staying before learning their fate at the White House.
“What a wonderful start of the Thanksgiving week,” the hotel’s general manager, Markus Platzer, said as he opened the naming ceremony. “As far as you can see, they’re very comfortable. Had a wonderful night’s stay with us. They’re very white, so they had a shower.”
The two North Carolina birds were hand-selected to be part of the annual White House tradition that saw President Trump pick Peas over Carrots last year.
This year’s fowls got their names from Trump and First Lady Melania, who picked from 15 pairs of names submitted by the National Turkey Federation.
Below are more photos of Bread and Butter in their room.
