Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

November 25, 2021

NBC weather anchor and "Today" program cohost Al Roker. Wow! Oh, hold on. My phone is ringing. Just a secondâoh, my gosh! Look at who is calling. Whoa!

Hello? Hello, Mr. President?

[*The President joined Mr. Roker by telephone from Nantucket, MA*.] *The President. *Hello, Al. How you doing, pal?

The First Lady. Hi, happy Thanksgiving.

Mr. Roker. Oh, Dr. Biden and Mr. President, thank you so much. Happy Thanksgiving to you. Howâhow are you?

The President. A New York firefighter!

Mr. Roker. [Laughter] That's right. We had a New York firefighter here. [Laughter] And it's so goodâgood for you calling. We thank you so much.

What's your message to the American folks on this Thanksgiving Day?

The President. My message is, after 2 years, you're back. America is back. There's nothing we're unable to overcome, Al. And you're one of the reasons for that, pal. You're always up.

You're always rooting.

Mr. Roker. Well, we appreciate it, Mr. President. Thank you so much. I hope you're going to continue to watch the parade. Santa is coming! Santa is comingââ

The First Lady. Okay!

The President. We are!

Mr. Roker. ââMr. President! [Laughter]

The President. I'm waiting for Santa. [Laughter]

Mr. Roker. All right. Well, listen, happy Thanksgiving to both of you, from our family to yours. Thank you, thank you, and happy Thanksgiving.

The President. Thank you. Wish we were there with you, Al.

The First Lady. Yes.

The President. Nice to see you, pal.

Mr. Roker. All right.

The First Lady. Happy Thanksgiving.

Mr. Roker. [Laughter] Thank you. I wonder, how did he get my phone number? Well, he's the President of the United States. I guess he can do that.

NOTE: The President spoke at 9:38 a.m. from the vacation residence of David M. Rubenstein in Nantucket, MA.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : NBC's Al Roker during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, telephone conversation from Nantucket, MA.

Locations: Nantucket, MA. Names: Biden, Jill T.; Roker, Al.

Subjects: Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Holidays and special observances : Thanksgiving.

DCPD Number: DCPD202101000.