President Trump used this year’s White House turkey pardon on November 25, 2025, to deliver a sharp and humorous jab at Joe Biden, claiming an “investigation” determined that Biden used an autopen to sign last year’s pardon documents. Trump declared that the 2024 turkey pardons were “totally invalid,” joking that the same applied to “about every other person that was pardoned,” except Hunter Biden, whom he referenced sarcastically as “Where’s Hunter.”

The remark played into Trump’s broader criticism of Biden’s presidency, mocking what he portrays as a lack of authenticity and personal involvement in official duties. Autopens, mechanical devices that reproduce a signature, have been used by presidents since the 1940s, but Trump framed the issue as symbolic of Biden’s detachment and reliance on staff. Supporters attending the ceremony responded with laughter as Trump used the light-hearted event to reinforce his message of restoring accountability and personal leadership in Washington.

The turkey pardon tradition, formalized in 1989 under President George H.W. Bush, has often served as a moment of unity and humor. Trump, however, once again transformed the ceremony into a platform for political commentary, tying the festive Thanksgiving ritual to his ongoing effort to highlight what he calls failures of the previous administration. The South Lawn audience enjoyed the blend of celebration and satire, reflecting Trump’s continued ability to command attention and shape the narrative even during ceremonial events.