Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday that it’s “premature” to float President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize as talks continue between the U.S. and North Korea.
“Can you imagine the chagrin the Nobel Peace Prize people would have if they they give the Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump?” McConnell told 840 WHAS radio in Louisville. “But look, I think it’s premature to get to that point, but it is good that the meeting appears to go forward.”
He spoke soon after the White House announced a new wave of high-level meetings with North Korean officials in an effort to save a June 12 summit meeting in Singapore that Trump canceled last week. McConnell said it’s a good sign that Kim Young Chol, the North Korean vice chairman, is meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York to continue discussions.
“You always have to be skeptical with the North Koreans,” McConnell said. “I think the president is correctly skeptical, but willing to have these discussions. Obviously, if it were to happen, it would be a major accomplishment.”
McConnell said he is confident the president will not make a bad deal with the North Koreans if one is made at all.
“I think we need to greet this with at least some skepticism, and we need to not make a bad deal,” McConnell said. “And I don’t believe the president will make a bad deal.”
On Tuesday, the president tweeted out that meetings are continuing to take place on the summit, which Trump canceled in a letter to Kim last Thursday.
“We have put a great team together for our talks with North Korea. Meetings are currently taking place concerning Summit, and more,” Trump tweeted. “Kim Young Chol, the Vice Chairman of North Korea, heading now to New York. Solid response to my letter, thank you!”
A group of House Republicans recently nominated Trump for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts toward a deal with the North Koreans.
