Bounty Scandal Batters The Odds On Donald Trump’s Reelection

Image source: Flickr

Each time the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection seem to settle down a little, another crisis emerges. Few US administrations have faced such a plethora of problems all at once. The latest is the discovery the Russians have been offering a bounty on US soldiers in Afghanistan. Combined with the riots, the public health situation and his ongoing legal woes, is this the last nail in the coffin for the President? Well online sportsbook sites in the US like Bovada certainly seem to think so.  

It would normally not be awfully surprising the Russians wanted US troops dead and were willing to pay for it. All things being equal that would be, in the grand scheme of things, simply tit-for-tat. Especially in Afghanistan. It’s not actually all that long ago Operation Cyclone saw the CIA buying weapons for Afghans specifically to kill Russians*. What goes around, comes around. So, it shouldn’t really have any effect upon the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection. Normally.

But these are not normal times. The president’s close relationship with Vladimir Putin’s ever-present administration in Russia is unusual. These are, after all, traditional foes. The press already tars the Russians for election influence, the hacking of US politicians and now, this. This is beginning to have a negative influence around the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection at online betting sites in the US like Bovada. Not least because the President keeps doubling down instead of, at the very least, backing off a bit.  

Bet On The Democrats To Highlight New Scandal

The odds on Donald Trump’s reelection could soon depend on him distancing himself from the Russians. The public might shrug their shoulders at fiscal impropriety and the silliness of the cyberverse, but dead service men? You can bet on Joe Biden highlighting this little circumstance in his election campaign. Biden may not be able to comment on BLM or the public health crisis, but shadowy overseas organizations out to do Americans harm? That’s bread and butter politics. Even for a Democrat.

2020 US presidential Election Odds 

• Donald Trump – Republican – 6/4
• Joe Biden – Democrat – 10/17

Naturally, the odds on Joe Biden becoming President had shortened considerably even before this latest scandal. The nation faces numerous problems to which there are no simple answers and that hands advantage to the challenger. This is unusual in US politics where the incumbent typically has the best of it and you’d take advantage of US gambling laws to back them. But not this time.  Indeed the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection reflect just how bad the cumulative situation now is.   

Odds On Donald Trump’s reelection Available At Bovada

Sure, there’s a long way to go until November. Anything could happen. Literally anything. In 2020 you’d not bet on US politics being predictable. Nothing else seems to be. However, it does begin to look as if the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection will continue to slide. The almost inevitable recession which has already begun to bite will be worse by Autumn. That will seal the deal and send the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection into almost stratospheric territory. 

2020 US Popular Vote Odds 

• Republicans – 5/1
• Democrats – 1/9

Still, a bet on sports in the US still seems so far away. At least the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection have the benefit of on-going action. The political landscape is shifting and watching politicians scramble to keep their feet is amusing. Just how many will find the Russians pulling the rug out from under them, however, is questionable. Possibly more than you think. This election has barely begun and it’s already got the makings of a classic political showdown.

Click here to visit the Bovada Sportsbook

We take a look at the latest scandal to hit Washington and how it could adversely effect the odds on Donald Trump’s reelection in November.