US President Barack Obama has unleashed a stream of epic “dad puns” in his final turkey pardoning for Thanksgiving.

His daughters Malia, 18, and Sasha, 15, skipped the ceremony – the president admitting they were too embarrassed to turn up for an eighth time.

“This year, they had a scheduling conflict. Actually, they just couldn’t take my jokes anymore,” Mr Obama said.

His nephews, Austin and Aaron Robinson, filled in admirably. Mr Obama joked they had not yet been turned cynical by Washington.

“They still believe in bad puns,” Mr Obama said, as he rolled out his “corny–copia of dad jokes” about turkeys.

The White House posted the whole excruciating business on YouTube:

The lucky bird this year was an Iowa–bred 10 kg bird known as Tater and an alternate, Tot.  The giant white birds will live out their days at a university farm.

The ceremony also gave Mr Obama a chance to reflect on the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Mr Obama said it’s a time to remember that “we have a lot more in common than divides us”.

He also challenged Americans to show the world that the United States is a generous and giving country, and to make sure everyone has something to eat on Thanksgiving.

Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the White House with a live Thanksgiving turkey. Many were eaten.


The “pardon” practice dates back to 1963, when John F Kennedy, just before his assassination on November 22, returned a turkey to the farm, saying “We’ll let this one grow”.

https://twitter.com/FieldEagle/status/801821816369061888

But if Malia and Sasha think they’ve now escaped the annual ritual – they’re wrong.

Mr Obama has threatened to continue the tradition at home, without the cameras.

“No way I’m quitting this habit cold turkey,” he joked.

Sasha Obama Serves Thanksgiving Dinner To Vets After Turkey Pardon – Pics https://t.co/vSQPWOaLPr via @HollywoodLife

— ludovic choupo (@ludovicchoupo) November 24, 2016