As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, there will be much reflection on the unique features of this nation and this republic.
One such feature is the turkey. In many other countries, the turkey is associated mostly with holiday meals. In the United States, however, the bird has achieved a special type of cultural status. It has for nearly three centuries represented American abundance. Benjamin Franklin praised the turkey as a “true original native of America” and expressed his preference for the bird over the bald eagle – the national symbol of the United States. Typically, it is on Thanksgiving that Americans think about turkey. But in time for America’s 250th birthday, President Trump is putting Turkey first.
President Trump appears poised to transfer one of its most valuable aerospace technologies to a government that has spent the better part of two decades undermining American interests
As a follow-up to NATO’s ill-advised decision to hold the alliance’s 2026 summit in Ankara, the Trump administration announced its intention to arrive in Turkey with “gifts.” The administration bypassed congressional review to sell F110 fighter jet engines to Turkey, and – in the Oval Office – President Trump and Vice President Vance openly discussed the possibility of Turkey rejoining the F35 program.
