![Minnesota Turkeys Seeking Trump Thanksgiving Pardon](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/11/Turkeys1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Turkeys Seeking Trump Thanksgiving Pardon
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A good presidential turkey is stuffed with showmanship.
A Minnesota turkey farmer and 4-H kids raised the official National Thanksgiving Turkey that will be pardoned by President Donald Trump on Tuesday. They say the turkey needs to strut his stuff and gobble on command, yet show enough restraint to stay on a table for the big photo op.
It's the 70th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey tradition. It dates from 1947, when the National Turkey Federation presented a 47-pound gobbler to President Harry Truman. In those days, the turkeys were destined for dinner. Formal pardons began with President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
The perk of taking presidential turkeys to Washington goes to the chairman of the National Turkey Federation. This year, that's Carl Wittenburg from Alexandria, Minnesota.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Riding High: Amtrak Borealis Trains Impress In First Month](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-AmtrakBorealis-AmtrakHandoutPhoto.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![90s Possible in Minnesota this Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/669/files/2021/07/attachment-RS45164_GettyImages-1150050227-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)