A few days before the American festival of Thanksgiving, US President Joe Biden pardoned two turkeys and thus spared the two birds the fate of many conspecifics on this holiday.
At the traditional ceremony in the White House rose garden on Friday, Biden saved turkeys “peanut butter” and “jelly” from death.
Biden said he liked the names and revealed: “I like that for lunch” - even if his wife disagreed with it.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a US culinary quirk.
Before the ceremonial event, “peanut butter” and “jelly” had been accommodated, as usual, in a luxury hotel near the White House.
The birds chattered several times during the ceremony.
"I like it when you talk to me like that," said Biden.
American families traditionally serve turkey on Thanksgiving.
The US president has a long tradition of pardoning turkeys.
Since the 19th century, the presidential family has received a particularly magnificent turkey before the holiday.
President Abraham Lincoln (1861 to 1865) is said to have pardoned one of the animals for the first time at the request of his son, according to the White House.
In 1989, under President George Bush senior, the turkey pardon became an established ritual.
Thanksgiving will be celebrated in the US next Thursday (November 25th).
Biden was in a good mood at the event.
Tradition reminds you to "have a little fun and always be grateful".
At the same time, the president expressed his condolences to those who would have to celebrate Thanksgiving this year without a loved one who had died from the corona pandemic.