President Donald Trump is known for his rancor on social media, but he is now getting credit for his diplomacy. The leader of the United States has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the conflict between North and South Korea.
Eighteen House Republicans signed a letter nominating Trump for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. The document was sent to the Norwegian Nobel committee in Oslo, Norway on Wednesday.
The letter cites the lawmakers’ belief that Trump is responsible for the historic summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Moon said the President was instrumental in trying to find an end to the nearly 70-year-old conflict between the two nations.
“It’s really President Trump who should receive it; we can just take peace,” Moon said in a statement released by his office.
Trump and Un are even expected to meet in the future to try and bring peace to their two nations. Oddsmakers at Ladbrokes have listed China as the place they will meet at 4/5. South Korea is next at 3/1, followed by the US at 5/1 and Japan and North Korea at 10/1.
Sportsbooks Taking Notice
The idea of Trump winning anything was incomprehensible a year ago, but the man who called Un “rocket man” is becoming much more subdued. Internet betting sites like Paddy Power and Bovada were offering odds on whether he would be impeached or resign. Now Bovada has listed odds for him to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The odds opened at +350 for yes and -600 for no.
With the news that the Republican legislators had nominated him the odds for no dropped to -500. If peace is actually achieved, expect the odds to flop dramatically. Ladbrokes has already jumped on the bandwagon and has him the 2/1 favorite to win the honor.
Four US Presidents have won the prestigious honor since its inception in 1901. Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Woodrow Wilson in 1919, Jimmy Carter in 2002, and Barack Obama in 2009.
Support Gaining Traction
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) has had a contentious relationship with Trump, but admitted on an interview on CNBC that the President should be under consideration for the award.
“Over 25 years, this has happened a number of times,” Corker said about peace talks. “This does look more optimistic than those other times. “This is a long process, but it’s starting out on a very good note.”
Another occasional critic, Lindsey Graham (R-SC), said any progress Trump can make between the two countries should be acknowledged.
“(If he) can lead us to ending the Korean War” while “getting North Korea to give up their nuclear program” in a verifiable way, then he “deserves the Nobel Peace Prize and then some.”
Trump is being uncharacteristically humble about the prospect of success on this international plan. He appeared at a rally Saturday in Michigan and the crowd began to chant, “Nobel, Nobel, Nobel!”
The President seemed genuinely touched by the support and showed his gratitude to the crowd.
“That’s very nice, thank you. That’s very nice,” Trump said. “I just want to get the job done.”