The nicknames of the two birds are taken from the name of a sandwich popular with American kids: Peanut Butter & Jelly.
President Joe Biden on Friday, for the first time as head of state, held a traditional “turkey pardon” ceremony on the occasion of the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration. Of course, both birds – this time, these are male turkeys – were not guilty of anything. However, George H.W. Bush, during his presidency, decided that it would be nice if every year at least two turkeys from those delivered before the holiday to the White House were “pardoned” and did not end up on the festive table as treats.
Turkeys, whose names are Peanut Butter and Jelly, were brought to the capital from the state of Indiana. They will also be returned there after the holiday to quietly live out their days in one of the nurseries.
Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Thanksgiving was celebrated at the White House on a smaller scale than usual, so it is expected that this time the atmosphere at the residence of the U.S. president will be more festive.
