"The Only Red Wave Is..." US Biden Mocking Republicans at Turkey Pardon Ceremony

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "The only Red Wave this season (Republican landslide) is the German Shepherd Commander knocking over the cranberry sauce on our table."

U.S. President Joe Biden mocked the absence of the expected Republican Red Wave in the November 8 midterm elections during the turkey pardon ceremony held on the 21st (local time) ahead of Thanksgiving.

According to political media outlet The Hill and others, President Biden attended the turkey pardon ceremony at the White House that day and pardoned this year's turkeys, 'Chocolate' and 'Chip' (a backup turkey).

At the event, President Biden addressed Republicans who received below-expectation results in the midterm elections, stating, "The votes were counted and verified. There was no fraud or cheating," pointing out the lack of evidence for manipulation. He also mocked the Republicans by mentioning his German Shepherd dog, Commander, saying, "The only Red Wave is the German Shepherd Commander knocking over the cranberry sauce on our table." He called the turkey pardon ceremony a "wonderful Thanksgiving tradition."

The pardoned turkeys will spend the rest of their lives at the University of North Carolina, their hometown. Local media also reported that the German Shepherd Commander, mentioned by President Biden while mocking the Republicans, watched the pardon ceremony from the White House balcony and barked periodically.

President Biden also emphasized the necessity of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the event. He said, "Two years ago, we could not safely spend Thanksgiving with large family gatherings. Now we can. That is progress. Let's keep moving forward."

The White House turkey pardon tradition unofficially began during President Abraham Lincoln's era. At that time, his ten-year-old son received a turkey as a gift and liked it so much that it was not eaten. This led to the expression that the turkey was "pardoned," and later, the official White House turkey pardon ceremony started during President George H. W. Bush's administration in 1989.

The United States typically enters the holiday season starting with Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas and New Year's. However, this year, due to high inflation, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner in the U.S. is expected to rise by double digits compared to previous years. According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture survey, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people this year is estimated at $64.05, up more than $10 from last year's $53.51.

The price of a 16-pound turkey has risen to an average of $28.96, which is 21% higher than in 2021. In 2020, the price of a turkey was less than $10.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.