Karoline Leavitt’s son steals the show at White House turkey pardoning: 'Real star of the day'

WASHINGTON, DC: Karoline Leavitt’s son Nicholas stole the spotlight when he met Waddle, the alternate to the National Thanksgiving turkey, in the White House briefing room. 

President Donald Trump pardoned Gobble and Waddle during the 78th annual National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation in the Rose Garden, sending the moment viral online.

Karoline Leavitt's son Nicholas meets Waddle

Karoline Leavitt’s son, Nicholas, stole the show when he met Waddle, the 50-pound turkey, near the podium where Leavitt usually speaks to reporters. President Trump pardoned Gobble and confirmed that Waddle would also be spared.

Viral videos and photos captured the adorable moment, Nicholas, wearing a T-shirt that read “Mama’s Little Turkey,” tried to climb down from his mother’s arms to get closer to Waddle.

He crawled alongside the massive bird, laughed as he reached out to touch it, and had reporters smiling at his playful antics. After getting just inches away, Nicholas ran toward the podium, and Leavitt picked him up.

The tradition of pardoning turkeys dates back to Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, when, according to folklore, Lincoln’s young son asked him to spare a turkey meant for Thanksgiving dinner.

By 1920, news outlets covered turkey pardons competitively, including a famous showdown between a Texas turkey sent to President Woodrow Wilson and a turkey from Kentucky.

Presidents officially revived the tradition in 1989 when George HW Bush reinstated the turkey pardon, turning it into a beloved part of the White House holiday season.

Karoline Leavitt's son Nicholas steals spotlight in WH briefing room

As videos and photos of Nicholas laughing with Waddle in the White House briefing room went viral, countless internet users quickly shared their reactions online. 

One user wrote, "Aww, little Niko just trying to make a new best friend! 🦃💙 That reach for Waddle is the cutest power move in the Rose Garden since… well, ever. Future press secretary in training? 😍"

Another person wrote, "That's too cute, kid's stealing the spotlight from the turkey." 

A user added, "Omg little man is stealing the show! So cute with Waddle, what a precious moment. Future politician in the making."

Another commented, "Joy always steals the spotlight faster than any ceremony can plan for. Karoline’s little one charming everyone next to Waddle proves that sometimes the cutest moments - not the pardons - make the headline. 🦃A😊🌟👍."

Someone else said, "Karoline Leavitt’s son totally stole the spotlight — his little moment with Waddle was priceless. Forget the presidential pardon… this kid just won Thanksgiving."

A person tweeted, "What an adorable little one. A memory he’ll smile about someday-even if he won’t remember it now. 🦃💛"

A social media user dubbed, "That little guy with the turkey is the real star of the day."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.