KEY POINTS

  • The First Family will be accompanied by their children, grandchildren and in-laws
  • The Bidens' tradition of spending Thanksgiving on the Massachusetts island dates back to 1975
  • The Bidens' arrival was marked with helicopters, military aircraft and Secret Service agents checking into luxury inns nearby

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are spending this year’s Thanksgiving holiday in a billionaire’s mansion on the island of Nantucket in Massachusetts, according to the White House.

The First Family is currently spending the holiday at a house owned by American businessman and private equity billionaire David Rubenstein. The tycoon’s Nantucket property spans 13 acres and is said to be worth at least $20 million.

"The First Family will stay at the home of their friend, David Rubenstein, as they have done previously," the White House told reporters, as quoted by Metro UK. Rubenstein will not be joining the Bidens for Thanksgiving and will instead be traveling abroad.

The Bidens have since upheld the decades-long family tradition dating back to 1975 of spending the Thanksgiving holiday on the Massachusetts island. However, the Bidens broke tradition last year and spent Thanksgiving in their Delaware home over COVID-19 concerns.

The Bidens’ Thanksgiving plan was first revealed by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki during a Nov. 19 briefing where she said the president and his wife would remain at the Nantucket property for the entire duration of the holiday.

“And later that day [Tuesday], the President and the First Lady will travel to Nantucket, Massachusetts, where they will remain for the Thanksgiving holiday,” Psaki said.

Residents near the Massachusetts island said Biden’s arrival in Nantucket was marked with helicopters, military aircraft and a wave of Secret Service agents checking into luxury inns nearby.

“Team after team after team of people come through with jeans and T-shirts, but then you notice they have a little clipboard with the White House insignia,” Jack Fritsch, owner of the Antiques Depot near the local ferry drop-off in Nantucket, told The New York Times.

The First Family will be accompanied by a parade of family members, including his children Ashley and Hunter. His in-laws and six grandchildren are also joining the president and first lady on the island property.

The Bidens are expected to have their Thanksgiving dinner catered by a local restaurant, Faregrounds and Pudley’s. The restaurant is also expected to cook Thanksgiving dinner for 100 Secret Service agents.

Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving dinner. Pixabay