In the beginning, it was hard to believe that Donald Trump would be running for President. It was even harder to believe his climbing success in the polls. And before we could all come to terms with the unhinged disruptive escapades he dubbed a campaign, he was the President-elect. And now, the President of the United States.
Just over a year on and anyone that pays half attention to the outer workings of the world would know that Trump has not been flying under the radar. Rather, the opposite of this. Scandal, after scandal has brought constant attention to the US leader. Critics are often harsh and relentless, somewhat mirroring his approach to Presidency and his Twitter account alike.
However, nothing comes as more of a shock than most recent news of President Trump.
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has been nominated for 2019’s Nobel Peace Prize.
While some may be confused and concerned, others are openly supportive of the nomination. Eighteen Republican members of Congress signed their support in a letter to the Nobel Prize committee recommending Trump for the Peace Prize as a result of his unexpected role in bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean President, Moon Jae-in also expressed his support in a meeting held with his presidential staff following the successful summit that ended hostilities with North Korea. In the meeting Moon received a telegram from a former South Korean first lady, Lee Hee-ho, suggesting he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his recent success.
“It was really President Trump who should receive it; we can just take peace,” Moon was quoted by his office as saying.
Trump fans expressed similar support in a rally held over the weekend in Michigan, many chanting, “Nobel! Nobel! Nobel!”
So, is Trump really deserving of such an honourable prize?
Here’s a few things to consider.
Stormy Daniels:
Trump’s success over the past week with the US-lead threats to tighten sanctions and pressure on North Korean weapons programs prompted the inter-Korean dialogue, resolving 70 years worth of hostility.
However, this was not all that had Trump headlining.
The president’s ongoing legal battle with adult film star, Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford), took another hit, as Daniels’ has continued to escalate her pursuit by suing Trump for defamation.
The scandal began with a hush payment of $130, 000, that was paid to Daniels prior to the beginning of Trump’s Presidential campaign. Daniels, who claims to have had an affair with Trump beginning in 2006, initially sued to be released from the non-disclosure agreement she was contracted to and is now suing for defamation as well, after a tweet posted to the President’s account earlier this month.
The tweet read, “A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!”
The Stormy Daniels scandal ignites questions around the credibility of the President and has sparked debate around the potential illegal use of campaign funds, although Trump lawyers deny the use of campaign money in the payment made to Daniels prior to the campaign.
Twitter:
Unlike US leaders that came before him, Trump has proven to have a unique style of political expression. Taking to twitter to show his support, distress and even inner turmoils, the Trump twitter feed is a recognisably unique approach to presidential dialogue, often baring it all online.
This open-book approach has given us all a look into the inner workings of the President’s mind, as well as the apparent inner workings of the White House. In the past he has tweeted threats of to Kim Jong-Un, claiming access to a nuclear button that is bigger and more powerful than his, and “it works!”
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018
Let’s not forget his threats to attack Syria when he vowed that all missiles would be fired, telling Russia to get ready for his “nice and new and “smart!” weapons.
Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018
This often erratic tweeting and support for nuclear weapons and war is not uncommon for Trump. Potentially raising questions about his suitability for the Nobel Peace Prize as he is proves to be an irrational warmonger.
Previous winners:
Past winners of the Nobel Peace Prize include Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela, as well as former US Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter and most recently, Barack Obama.
It’s easy to assume that anyone who has received the award would undoubtedly be a saint. However, this may not always be the case.
History serves not everyone the Winners List has a desirable past, or a necessarily outstanding one.
If Trump were to join the list of the honoured he would would be joining the likes of Henry Kissinger, the 1973 recipient. Henry Kissinger was heavily involved with coups in South America and supported Pakistan in its war against Bangladesh in which it was accused of genocide. He was also heavily involved in the Vietnam War and the negotiation of a failed ceasefire.
Similarly, Burmese leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi who won the prize in 1991 has been implicated in the ethnic cleansing of over 100,000 Rohingya people in Myanmar and a founder of a terrorist organisation, Yasser Arafat, received the prize in 1994.
Controversially, Obama’s receival of the prize in 2009 was questioned, after having received the prize only seven months into his term for “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” despite having made any major policy changes.
With the above in mind, perhaps Trump is a suitable candidate?
He’s proven to lackluster in the way of decency and attitudes towards violence. In the same breath, comparison to his predecessors shows the man isn’t any less worthy than they were.
While it may be a shock to the system, Trump has surprised us right from the start and continues to do so, proving the man’s consistent if nothing else.
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