On Wednesday, a trending topic on Facebook took many by surprise: Donald Trump Nominated For The Nobel Peace Prize.
Many would be less surprised to see Punxsutawney Phil pop out of his hole with an AK-47 and declare that Barack Obama is now the King of the United States.
According to the headlines the nomination is for “his vigorous peace through strength ideology, used as a threat weapon of deterrence against radical Islam, Isis, nuclear Iran and Communist China.”
https://t.co/2SLTPG4XFJ
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Adolf Hitler and the worst Nobel Peace Prize nominees - New York Daily News…#Hillar…— Trump Bait (@TrumpBait) February 3, 2016
So, was he nominated? According to Snopes, there is a single person who has reported seeing a letter from an “unnamed US politician” nominating the man that many believe is the second coming of Hitler for the prestigious prize. As an aside, both Hitler and Stalin were actually nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, something that boggles the mind. Turns out that anyone can nominate someone for the Nobel Peace Prize, literally anyone.
So while it was true that a single individual reported that someone had nominated Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, anyone can be suggested for the award, and more than 200 such submissions are made annually.
Whether any such letter actually existed has not been confirmed, and the individual who claimed to have received a copy also stated that Trump was not among likely winners.
Ok, so this “nomination” is really nothing, but free press for Trump. No, he isn’t in the running, but when people thought he was? The internet responded with all the incredulity this situation called for, the overwhelming opinion seems to be, “there goes the neighborhood, America, WTF!?!?”
#WhatsTheOppositeOfPeace? ~ SERIOUSLY: Donald Trump Nominated For Nobel Peace Prize By Anonymous American Politician https://t.co/NPHo79f5f7
— GodsMigraine (@GodsMigraine) February 3, 2016
Darth Vader should be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, too. #DonaldTrump
— Dan Santat (@dsantat) February 3, 2016
So glad that someone who is a misogynist and incites racial hatred has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. https://t.co/Cb7IoHS6Wu
— Sheema (@sheesidd) February 3, 2016
Donald Trump is nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and I think we all just need a break from America
— Anthony (@anthonycaciaa) February 3, 2016
Not sure if it's for equality or race relations, Donald Trump ‘nominated for Nobel Peace Prize’ https://t.co/O5U7hFuTY4 Christ on a bike.
— STOP-Homophobia.com (@WipeHomophobia) February 3, 2016
Donald trump has been nominated for a Nobel peace prize and I now no longer have desire to continue living on this earth
— moistyeezy (@moistbreezy) February 3, 2016
Speculation about WHO the unnamed politician is, of course, rampant: was it Sarah Palin trying to bolster her patron candidate’s flagging support in the wake of his stupid decision to skip the debates that may just have lost him Iowa and his momentum? Was it Ted Cruz, who wanted the similarities between him and Hitler to be brought to the forefront again? Or, was it Trump himself, doing his best to continue running his campaign on free advertising? Some politicians are even jumping out to say “Wasn’t me.”
(Wasn't me.)
Anonymous US politician nominated Donald Trump as Nobel Peace Prize - Telegraph https://t.co/xLvVh0G7Zm
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) February 3, 2016
I bet Trump nominated himself for the Nobel Peace Prize just to make even more headlines. https://t.co/pZDLhhu0mH
— مريم (@MaryamSaleh_) February 3, 2016
Okay, raise your hand if you're the idiot who nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. pic.twitter.com/otbx1kvK4E
— Steve Bannister (@SteveisSensible) February 3, 2016
The good news, there is not an actual nomination, the best news: the universe is as offended as we are that anyone would nominate this piece of human excrement for anything, let alone the Nobel Peace Prize.
I have an announcement: Donald Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, this is why aliens won't speak to us
— it's me thoooooooooo (@ObeseRights) February 3, 2016
Featured image via Twitter
