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Home » Hotels » Hoping For Trump Pardon, Two Turkeys Take Up Residence in Luxurious Willard InterContinental Hotel
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Hoping For Trump Pardon, Two Turkeys Take Up Residence in Luxurious Willard InterContinental Hotel

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 26, 2019November 26, 2019 14 Comments

Willard Hotel Turkeys

Part of the pageantry of the White House is the annual turkey pardoning, which takes place today in the Rose Garden. For the two turkeys vying for one pardon, this has been a relaxing week at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, DC.

The tradition of pardoning a turkey before Thanksgiving started in 1963, when President Kennedy received a turkey around his neck stating, “GOOD EATING, MR. PRESIDENT!” Instead of thanking him in advance for the great meal he would provide, Kennedy said, “We’ll just let this one grow.”

Thus, the Los Angeles Times ran with a headline, “Turkey gets presidential pardon.”

But no president used the word “pardon” until President Reagan did in 1987…as part of a joke about the Iran Contra scandal. It was not until 1989 that President George H. W. Bush formalized the annual pardon. As NPR details, that year he said:

Let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone’s dinner table, not this guy. He’s granted a presidential pardon as of right now — and allow him to live out his days on a children’s farm not far from here.

This year Bread and Butter, the two turkeys vying for a presidential pardon, checked into the Willard hotel on Sunday. Both grew up in North Carolina.

The room featured two double beds, though the birds seemed more comfortable amonst the wood shavings on the floor.

The Willard is my favorite hotel in the district and I’ve written fondly about it on several occasions. One thing that really draws me to that hotel is its rich history.


> Read More:

  • Why The Willard InterContinental Is My Favorite Hotel In Washington, DC
  • Review: The Willard Suite At The Willard InterContinental Hotel Washington, DC

CONCLUSION

A bit tangential to travel, but when I saw the Willard connection, I could not help but to mention it. We’ll soon know which turkey will be spared, though the I’m not sure either Bread and Butter are most in need of a pardon…

image: White House

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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14 Comments

  1. debit Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 11:47 am

    Turkey don’t even taste that good. Stupid tradition of eating Turkey and mass breeding and killing unnecessarily.

    Time to change this holiday to anything but Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry, stuffing and asparagus. How about indian, Chinese and Mediterranean cooking only.

    Keep the pies. They are good.

    Also holidays should be staggered. West coast had Thanksgiving one week after east coast. Or maybe alternate years.

    • henry LAX Reply
      November 26, 2019 at 12:12 pm

      yea it’s weird tradition. luckily, i haven’t followed it for 23 years.

    • Andy K Reply
      November 26, 2019 at 12:38 pm

      You’re such an idiot. You should respect tradition, even if it does not appeal to your individual tastes.

      • debit Reply
        November 27, 2019 at 8:00 pm

        This is the tradition:

        https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/opinion/thanksgiving-history.htm

        Americans, the original terrorists.

      • debit Reply
        November 27, 2019 at 8:01 pm

        This is the tradition:

        h ttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/opinion/thanksgiving-history.htm

        Americans, the original terrorists.

  2. Paolo Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 12:06 pm

    I half expect the bloated horror to say ‘kill them both, I’m peckish’

  3. henry LAX Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    how come these 2 turkeys aren’t staying at Trump Hotel if they’re hoping for a pardon ?

    And since when Roger Stone and Manafort change their names to Bread & Butter ??

  4. 02nz Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 12:19 pm

    My advice to the turkeys – get involved in some illegal business involving Trump, as that seems to be the likeliest path toward a pardon.

  5. Andy K Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    I hope they clean the sheets after the turkeys check out.

  6. John K Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 1:07 pm

    I thought the two turkeys were referring to two Turkey nationals… I need my caffeine shot stat.

  7. Mike Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 1:24 pm

    Who wants to sleep on those beds post Turkeys?

    And we thought bed bugs were an issue!

  8. MeanMeosh Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 4:52 pm

    My cat Hercules would like to invite the one that receives a pardon to dinner…

  9. Stone Reply
    November 26, 2019 at 7:31 pm

    “Kick em out”

    MAGA 2020

  10. Pingback: Plenty of turkeys to go around | Northern Slant

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