"Gobble, I just want to tell you, this is very important: you are hereby unconditionally pardoned," Trump told one of the birds, which responded with loud gobbling sounds

The annual turkey pardon spares selected birds from becoming part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, which will be celebrated across the United States on Thursday and typically features roast turkey

This year's fortunate fowl, named Waddle and Gobble, hail from North Carolina. The pair enjoyed accommodation at The Willard Intercontinental, a luxury hotel, before their appearance at the White House

The quirky tradition dates back to 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln is said to have spared a turkey's life after his son became fond of the bird.

In remarks that mixed humour with political commentary, Trump opened the ceremony by claiming all turkey pardons issued by his predecessor, Joe Biden, were invalid due to his use of an autopen

He said two birds previously pardoned by Biden - Peach and Blossom - had been located just before they were due to be slaughtered. "I am officially pardoning them, and they will not be served for Thanksgiving dinner," he said. "We saved them in the nick of time"

The ceremony, which drew a substantial crowd including numerous Trump cabinet members and their families, featured several political gibes aimed at Congressional Democrats