Betting odds: 63% chance of Trump's impeachment/resignation
What's the story
Former FBI director James Comey's explosive testimony to the US Congress last week has seen a surge in people betting money on President Donald Trump failing to complete his four-year term, either due to impeachment or his resignation. The new odds reveal a 63.6% chance that the Trump administration won't make it till 2020 due to the president's impeachment or resignation.
09 Jun 2017
Ex-FBI director testifies about Trump pressure, Russia investigation
On June 9, Ex-FBI director James Comey testified before a Senate Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill, revealing the circumstances leading to his controversial dismissal by President Donald Trump. Comey is a key witness in the probe into Russia's alleged interference in the presidential election and Moscow's links to the Trump campaign. Comey's much anticipated explosive testimony sent shockwave across Washington.
Obstruction of justice?
Comey doesn't specify whether Trump obstructed justice
Comey didn't say whether Trump's actions amounted to obstruction of justice, adding that it was up to Robert Mueller, the special counsel conducting the Russia probe "to sort that out." "I don't think it's for me to say whether the conversation I had with the president was an effort to obstruct. I took it as a very disturbing thing, very concerning," Comey said.
Data
What are the punters saying?
After Comey's testimony, the odds on Trump's term being cut short have improved from 4/5 to 4/7 with UK betting firm Ladbrokes. There is a growing debate in the US on whether Trump allegedly obstructed justice, an impeachable offense, by interfering in the FBI's probe into Russia.
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Punters seriously believe Trump administration will end before its time
"Political punters are starting to think it's genuinely a case of when and not if Trump has to wave goodbye to the White House, and they're willing to stake money that could be tied up for nearly four years," said Ladbrokes spokesperson Jessica Bridge.