For the second year in a row, President Donald Trump participated in the annual White House tradition of a presidential turkey pardon on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Unlike last year’s ceremony, where he managed to keep things relatively light, an progressively unhinged Trump couldn’t help but use the spotlight to make derogatory remarks about the disputed results of the Senate and gubernatorial midterm elections in Florida and Georgia.
After a recount, Florida Democrats Bill Nelson and Andrew Gillum eventually conceded to their Republican opponents, Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis, respectively, while Stacey Abrams also conceded her gubernatorial bid in Georgia. Naturally, Trump was sure to remind everyone of the losses when introducing this year’s birds, “Peas” and “Carrots.”
“In this grand tradition I am pleased to announce that today’s lucky bird and guest of honor is named Peas, along with his alternate Carrots,” Trump began.
"I am pleased to announce that today's lucky bird and guest of honor is named Peas," Pres. Trump says at the annual White House turkey pardon.
"Unfortunately, Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount, and we're still fighting with Carrots." https://t.co/V5t7ze8wDr pic.twitter.com/fI99Zll4uo
— ABC News (@ABC) November 20, 2018
“The winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election conducted on the White House website,” he continued. “This was a fair election. Unfortunately Carrots refused to concede and demanded a recount and we are still fighting with Carrots. And I will tell you we’ve come to a conclusion, Carrots I’m sorry to tell you the result did not change. It’s too bad for Carrots.”
Trump later wisecracked that he’s warned the turkeys that “House Democrats are likely to issue them both subpoenas” when Dems take control of the House of Representatives in January.
Peas and Carrots, along with other previously pardoned presidential turkeys, will live the remainder of their days at Virginia Tech’s “Gobblers Rest” turkey sanctuary. Given the president’s candor, however, as the Mueller investigation continues to close in, many on Twitter had some timely remarks at Trump’s expense.
The White House turkeys should not be named “Peas and Carrots.” They should be named “Indictments and Arrests.”
— Power to the People ☭🕊 (@ProudSocialist) November 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/kathrynw5/status/1064951872941973504
Turkey pardons always a laughing matter. Pres says he warns "Peas" and "Carrots" that despite his pardons, House Democrats may issue subpoenas to both of the Tom Turkeys. pic.twitter.com/0U4fPaH59k
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) November 20, 2018
"peas and carrots" was Forrest Gump's favorite phrase.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) November 20, 2018
“Peas and carrots, peas and carrots” is what actors say (or mouth) when they need to imitate human speech — but without saying anything meaningful.
The White House named this year’s two Thanksgiving turkey finalists Peas and Carrots. pic.twitter.com/1xwdVOuLGZ
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) November 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/Sasha_Perfecto/status/1064950485495427072
https://twitter.com/ParkerMolloy/status/1064956691576483840
"Peas" and "Carrots" are really the Secret Service code names for Donnie Jr. and Jared.
— Brad (@doog_in_doha) November 20, 2018
Others pointed out that just before the turkey pardoning, Trump released a statement suggesting that he has no plans to hold Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accountable for the brutal killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
https://twitter.com/mattyhoyeCNN/status/1064949371714850817
Trump just pardoned Peas the turkey and managed to throw in a few election recount jokes. While he had the media out there, though, White House released a statement basically saying the US will do nothing even if it knows Saudi crown prince MBS ordered Khashoggi's death.
— Sebastian Smith (@SebastianAFP) November 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/davidehrlich/status/1064949050091409409
Just another enlightening day in Trump’s America.