Punter drops $10,000 on Donald Trump to be President of USA

IT might be a little terrifying, but bizarre billionaire Donald Trump is only a couple of steps away from becoming the leader of the free world.

For how long it’s called the free world if he does become the President of the United States of America is debatable, but he is now the $2.20 favourite with Sportsbet.com.au to win the Republican nomination.

The bookie’s Christian Jantzen told us the colourful Trump has “captured the imagination of punters”.

“After being offered at $81, Trump is now the $2.20 favourite to be the Republican nomination,” Jantzen said.

“Just over 50 per cent of all money bet on this market has gone on him and he’s twice as popular compared to second favourite Marco Rubio, who’s a $3.60 chance.”

And there will be one punter with his fingers well and truly crossed that the loaded entrepreneur can become the most powerful man in the world after slamming down $10,000 at $7 with Sportsbet.com.au on him to win the election.

Another punter had a cool five grand at the same quote in a pair of big bets that could provide rich rewards.

“Donald Trump’s biggest price was $201 but he’s now the second favourite at $4.50 and there’s more money riding on him than any other candidate,” Jantzen said.

On the Democrats’ side of things, it appears Hillary Clinton has a mortgage on their nomination and looks set to follow husband Bill into the top job, with the former first lady a $2 favourite to become the country’s first female president.

“Hillary Clinton is the favourite as far as the Democrats are concerned, however she’s eased from as short as $1.07 at Christmas time to her current quote of $1.25,” Jantzen said.

Jantzen said the popular Bernie Sanders had taken a big chunk of the betting, thanks to some appearances on television and a quirky story of his album release several year’s ago making him a more accessible character.

A little help from his doppleganger Larry David hasn’t done him any harm, either.

“Bernie Sanders has been more popular than Hillary with punters of late,” Jantzen said.

“He opened at $51, got into $8 at Christmas, but recent money has seen him firm into $4.33 to make it a real two-horse race with Clinton.”

While Clinton was $1.62 at one point, she has eased to $2 to be the president, with Sanders closing in at $8.

There is actually more money invested in him than Clinton, despite a $5000 bet on the former first lady with sportsbet.com.au

That man Trump certainly knows how to make a headline, but it has usually been for the wrong reasons.

There are a dedicated few who hang off Trump, who has been branded racist and a narcissist and, in his latest exploit, claimed Republican opponent Ted Cruz Ted Cruz was “a dishonest person” “a liar” and “unstable” and fellow opponent Marco Rubio ‘sweats too much’.

“When we get in with Putin, we need people that don’t sweat,” Trump said.

“I thought he just came out of the swimming pool.

“Can you imagine Putin sitting there and waiting for the meeting and this guy walks in and he’s like a wreck?

“No, yogurt to have Trump walk into that meeting, folks, we’ll do very nicely.”

Worrying stuff.

If Trump does become president, the American public will only have itself to blame – he is now the first choice candidate for more than 70 per cent of Republican voters, according to polls.

He’s notoriously pompous – not unique among politicians, but this guy is next level – he’s made a habit of flip flopping on issues, depending on who he’s talking to and he’s done his best to offend almost every one – minorities, women, immigrants, war heroes, etc.

But, if you listen to him, every thing is broken in America, but he is going to fix it all.

“Trade: we’re gonna fix it. Health care: we’re gonna fix it. Women’s health issues: we’re gonna fix it.”

“I’m gonna make America bigger and stronger and better than ever before.

“You’re gonna be so proud.”

Hillary got herself in the news by ‘barking like a dog’ at a rally in Reno.

And her email scandal certainly hasn’t helped her cause either, with the FBI probing her emails.

It appears the tight race between she and Sanders in Nevada is her greatest obstacle at the moment. After only just scraping through in Iowa and then getting whacked in New Hampshire, there is the fear she could be rolled in Nevada and that could spell disaster for her hopes of winning the Democratic vote.

“Now we take this campaign to the entire country,” Clinton said after the loss, trying to stay upbeat.

“We’re going to fight for every vote in every state.

.“Here’s what I promise: I will work harder than anyone to actually make the changes that make your lives better.”

But the win for Sanders only boosted his confidence that Clinton is, indeed, beatable.

“We have sent a message that will resonate from Wall Street to Washington … that government belongs to all of the people,” Sanders said after the New Hampshire triumph.

“They are throwing everything at me except the kitchen sink, and I have the feeling that it is coming soon.

Sanders is very popular among young voters, is out spending Clinton in the campaign stakes and, after once being seen as a novel challenger, is now a very real prospect of knocking her over for the primary.

If that happens, it will be an interesting battle between Trump and Sanders.

While Clinton’s economic record has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, Sanders is perhaps America’s most popular politician right now.

You only had to look to Twitter on Valentine’s Day to feel the #BerninLove and that is also helping him win the female vote.

He’s doing all the right things and making all the right noise and could really push Clinton here.