Podcast Summary: The President’s Daily Brief

Host: Mike Baker (The First TV)
Episode: Mike Baker’s Thanksgiving Message to PDB Listeners
Date: November 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The President’s Daily Brief, host and former CIA Operations Officer Mike Baker delivers a humorous and informative message centered on the history and quirks of the White House turkey pardoning ceremony. Rather than the traditional themes of gratitude or holiday advice, Baker opts to entertain and educate with presidential anecdotes, playful jabs at tradition, and reflections on the meaning of Thanksgiving.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving and the Turkey Pardoning Tradition

• Baker sets a light, comedic tone, noting the excitement around the "presidential pardoning of a Thanksgiving turkey," which he calls the “most awkward White House photo op ever misconceived.”
  • [00:27]

2. Historical Origins and Presidential Spin

• Abraham Lincoln
  • Widely associated with the first turkey pardon, prompted by his son’s attachment to the bird.
  • Baker jokes: "It was Abraham Lincoln… who… first pardoned a turkey around Christmas time because, well, his son had taken a shine to it. Poll numbers that followed… showed that the public appreciated Lincoln's decisive action."
    • [01:00]
• Truman’s Indifference
  • Supposedly uninterested; preferred eating turkey and was preoccupied with post-World War II events.
  • Fictional quote attributed: "Hardening that damn turkey will just make me look weak to the commies." —Truman to his wife Bess (jokingly attributed by Baker)
    • [01:32]

3. Ceremony Rituals and Comedic Highlights

• Describes the logistics: two large turkeys, transported in a Butterball truck, surrounded by the press on the South Lawn.
• Presidents historically use the event for turkey puns and lighthearted limericks (with a nod to Grover Cleveland).

4. Notorious Turkey Pardoning Moments

• The Taft Incident

  • Recalls a mythic disaster where President Taft pardoned one turkey but promptly deep-fried the other in front of the press.
    • "Taft… pronounced one turkey pardoned, and then immediately plunged the other into a deep fryer set up just in front of the press corps."
    • [02:24]
  • Baker adds with tongue-in-cheek, “everyone agreed that the deep frying made for a much tastier, moist holiday treat.”

• Woodrow Wilson’s Run-in

  • Another playful anecdote: Wilson was supposedly bitten during the ceremony, exclaiming, "neither of these bast bastards deserves a pardon."
    • [03:19]

• Richard Nixon’s Wisdom

  • Completely fabricated but memorable: "there's nothing more dangerous to the Republic than some unruly turkey questioning the authority of the President."
    • [03:57]

5. Modern Times: President Trump’s Ceremony

• Recaps the most recent ceremony, noting half the country wanted “an inspirational moment of poultry diplomacy” while the other half anticipated a "train wreck."
• President Trump “pardoned both turkeys,” named Gobble and Waddle, and the event “did go smoothly.”
• Baker jokes that turkey-pardoning events always carry “an air of danger and potential chaos,” with a 50/50 chance of going awry.

6. Show Business and Animal Antics

• Baker muses that, as anyone familiar with showbiz knows, “animal acts” are “unpredictable, inclined to bite, and often ill-mannered, particularly when hungry, tired, or feeling disrespected.”
• “It’s not like you can ask the press not to show up. Then you throw in a couple of turkeys and, well, you can see why.”
  • [03:40]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "Turkey. Meh. Not a fan," — Abraham Lincoln, as quoted for comedic effect by Mike Baker

  • [01:07]

• "Hardening that damn turkey will just make me look weak to the commies." — “Truman,” per Baker

  • [01:32]

• "Neither of these bast bastards deserves a pardon." — “Woodrow Wilson,” per Baker

  • [03:19]

• "There's nothing more dangerous to the Republic than some unruly turkey questioning the authority of the President." — “Richard Nixon,” per Baker

  • [03:57]

Closing Reflections & Holiday Message

• Baker pivots from humor to gratitude, reminding listeners:

  • “The day is about gratefulness—for family, for friends, and for whatever blessings life has thrown your way.”
  • “If you can wake up every morning and quietly say thank you to whatever higher authority you believe in, well, you’ll be living the meaning of Thanksgiving every day.”
    • [05:04]

• Baker expresses appreciation for listeners:

  • “Everyone here at the PDB wishes every one of you a very happy Thanksgiving. We’re grateful that you’re a member of the PDB community.”
    • [05:26]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:27] — Introduction to Thanksgiving and the turkey pardoning focus
• [01:00] — Abraham Lincoln’s turkey pardon origin story
• [01:32] — Truman’s (fictionalized) response and postwar context
• [02:24] — The Taft Incident (deep-frying the turkey)
• [03:19] — Woodrow Wilson’s turkey encounter
• [03:57] — Nixon’s (fictional) quote on turkeys and authority
• [05:04] — Baker’s heartfelt Thanksgiving message

Episode Tone and Style

The episode balances Mike Baker’s trademark dry wit and irreverent storytelling with genuine warmth, offering listeners both holiday entertainment and a quietly profound message about gratitude.
The history of the turkey pardon is largely treated as comedic folklore, sprinkled with satirical presidential “quotes,” yet the episode closes with an earnest appeal to count one’s blessings and share appreciation with others.

Ideal for:

• Listeners seeking a quick, humorous take on Thanksgiving traditions
• Fans of presidential trivia embellished with irony and satire
• Anyone wanting a thoughtful note on gratefulness for the holiday

Skip this if:

• You’re looking for hard news or serious policy analysis—this episode is a fun holiday diversion.