Story highlights Two turkeys were up for official presidential pardon this Thanksgiving

"Drumstick" defeated "Wishbone" in the online Twitter poll

Washington (CNN) It's become part of the annual tradition of the White House Thanksgiving turkey ritual: voting to see which of the two official birds will be pardoned, and which will be the alternate. This year's winner is "Drumstick," who garnered 60% support over rival "Wishbone," who earned 40%.

And so it was Drumstick who Tuesday afternoon in the White House Rose Garden received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump.

"Wow, big bird," the President said as he approached the 36-pound turkey, petting it several times. "Drumstick, you are hereby pardoned."

Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, in an autumn patterned coat slung over her shoulders, and the couple's 11-year-old son, Barron Trump, who wore a coat and tie for the occasion.

Before the actual pardoning, Trump stood for several minutes at the podium, revving up a few turkey-inspired quips, including a reference to the two turkeys pardoned last year by President Barack Obama, Tater and Tot.

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