President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pardoned Corn, one of two chosen turkeys, at the traditional Thanksgiving ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
Corn and Cob, the two lucky turkeys from Iowa, traveled to DC and stayed at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel prior to the White House ceremony.
Corn was selected to be pardoned by the president as the result of an online vote.
“Corn, I hereby grant you a full pardon. Thank you, Corn,” said President Trump.
President @realDonaldTrump has granted CORN, this year's National Thanksgiving Turkey, a full pardon!
With their Thanksgiving turkey duties complete, Corn and Cob will both retire to Iowa State University! 🌽 🦃 pic.twitter.com/C6HA7sS9K9
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) November 24, 2020
Corn and Cob were raised by Ron Kardel, National Turkey Federation Chairman and a sixth generation turkey, corn, and soybean farmer from Walcott, Iowa, according a statement from the White House. Both turkeys are slated to be transferred to their new home on the campus of Iowa State University, following the pardoning ceremony.
The National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation has been taking place since 1947. But President George H. W. Bush was the first to officially grant the bird a Presidential pardon in 1989, after farmers sent birds to the White House to promote the poultry industry for years.
In 2019, President Trump pardoned two turkeys named Bread and Butter during the annual Thanksgiving event.