Biden Jokes About Taylor Swift and Britney Spears at Annual Turkey Pardoning Ceremony

President Joe Biden celebrated his 81st birthday on Monday with an annual Thanksgiving tradition: pardoning two turkeys, Liberty and Bell. During the ceremony, the 46th president joked that the turkeys had to work hard to win their amnesty, and that it was even harder than getting tickets to a Taylor Swift or Britney Spears concert.

The White House event was full of lighthearted moments, but Biden’s joke about the pop stars caused an awkward moment. He appeared to confuse Taylor Swift and Britney Spears, saying that the turkeys had to work harder than getting tickets to a “Renaissance tour” or “Britney’s tour.”

“She’s down in – it’s kind of warm in Brazil, right now,” Biden added, likely referring to Beyoncé, who is currently on tour in South America.

The two turkeys, Liberty and Bell, were raised in Minnesota and had to travel over 1,000 miles to Washington D.C. to win their amnesty. Biden said that the birds had to show patience and work hard to beat the tough odds and fierce competition.

The annual turkey pardon is a lighthearted tradition that dates back to the 1940s. Every year, the President of the United States pardons two turkeys, which are then sent to a farm to live out the rest of their days. This year, Liberty and Bell will be sent to Virginia Tech’s “Gobblers Rest” exhibit.