Trump’s joking attack on a Thanksgiving turkey that ‘refused to concede’ resurfaces

The light-hearted footage foreshadows Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election

Footage of Donald Trump criticising a turkey for refusing to concede defeat in the annual White House turkey-pardon contest has resurfaced, drawing huge attention on social media.

The 2018 flashback shows the president comically scolding “Carrots” the bird for refusing to accept the outcome of “a fair and open election”, in an uncanny prophecy of things to come. 

Since the 1940s, it’s been a tradition for the president to “pardon” a live turkey marked for the family’s Thanksgiving dinner. The lucky bird is permitted to “retire” to a new home in Virginia Tech’s Gobblers Rest.

In more recent times, two birds have been selected to go head-to-head in an online vote where the American public decide which one is saved.

Two years after condemning the feathered creature for “refusing to concede and demanding a recount”,  Mr Trump himself is attempting to overturn the presidential election with unfounded allegations of voting fraud.

Despite several legal challenges, Mr Trump has been unsuccessful in changing the outcome across key states and some of his most prominent allies are urging him to drop his efforts.

In fact, the General Services Administration has now informed president-elect Joe Biden that the administration is ready to begin the formal transition process.

This decision mirrors the ending of the Turkey clip, where Mr Trump retorts: “And I will tell you, we’ve come to a conclusion: Carrots, I’m sorry to tell you, the results did not change.”  He finishes with “Too bad for Carrots!”

As the video gains traction online, acquiring millions of views, many of Mr Trump's most loyal critics have even taken to calling him “Carrots”.

He is expected to pardon this year’s candidate “Corn” and “Cob” at the White House on Tuesday, with the birds currently relaxing in the Willard hotel while they await the results.