CLAIM: A video clip shows President Joe Biden “abruptly” leaving this year’s Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House.
AP ASSESSMENT: False. In a full video Monday ceremony, Biden spends several minutes speaking and taking photos with guests after pardoning two turkeys in a speech to hundreds of attendees. He can be seen waving to the crowd, giving a thumbs up and waving before leaving the event.
THE FACTS: Social media users share an excerpt from the annual White House traditionfalsely claiming that it shows Biden making a sudden and unexpected exit.
In the clip, Biden turns away from the crowd, begins to jog lightly for a few moments before slowing to a walk as he heads toward the White House. Two Marines standing at the door step aside to let him pass and greet him as he enters.
“Biden abruptly leaves his turkey pardoning ceremony and half-jogs home,” read a post on X, formerly Twitter. As of Wednesday, it had received around 8,100 shares and 7,000 likes.
But full video of the ceremony shows Biden making a more prolonged departure from the South Lawn of the White House.
Just after forgive two turkeysnamed Liberty and Bell, saving them from ending up in someone’s Thanksgiving meal, Biden can be seen Talk with Steve Lykken, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jose Rojas, vice president of Jennie-O Turkey Store.
Biden then speaks for several minutes with some of the hundreds of guests, including local students, cabinet secretaries and White House staff. He also has pose for photos during this time.
Finally, standing next to his granddaughter, Maisy Biden, the president waves to the crowd, gives a thumbs-up and salutes, before make his exit.
Minnesota natives Liberty and Bell, named after Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, will now be supported by the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the AP reported. They are both around 20 weeks old and weigh 42 pounds (19 kilograms).
The tradition of pardoning turkeys dates back to 1947, when the National Turkey Federation, which represents turkey breeders and producers, first presented a national Thanksgiving turkey to President Harry Truman.
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