Over a Barrel
Somehow the New York Times laid its hands on Donald Trump’s tax returns from 1995, which showed Trump had claimed $916 million in losses – losses so large, according to the Times, Donald Trump may not have paid a penny of federal income taxes for 18 years.
It would be hard to find a newspaper that dislikes Donald Trump more than the Times – but Trump’s folks don’t deny he lost $916 million. And everyone seems to agree, if that happened, it would have been perfectly legal for Trump to claim the loss and not pay taxes. In fact, Rudy Giuliani said it would prove Trump’s a ‘genius’ if he didn’t pay income taxes for 18 years.
But still, a billionaire not paying a penny of income taxes is going to be hard for most folks to swallow.
Of course, there’s a subplot here: What the Times is doing is turning up the heat on Trump to release his tax returns – and, in one way, the Times has Trump over a barrel. But, in another way, it may have handed him a gift.
The Times has now said to voters: We suspect Donald Trump didn’t pay income taxes. And, naturally, if Trump refuses to release his returns many people will conclude, The Times must be right – which is a big blow to Trump.
On the other hand, if Trump releases his tax returns and they prove he did pay taxes – that’s a big win for Trump. It will prove he’s the victim of a smear. And the Times ends up with a black eye.
Over a Barrel
Somehow the New York Times laid its hands on Donald Trump’s tax returns from 1995, which showed Trump had claimed $916 million in losses – losses so large, according to the Times, Donald Trump may not have paid a penny of federal income taxes for 18 years.
It would be hard to find a newspaper that dislikes Donald Trump more than the Times – but Trump’s folks don’t deny he lost $916 million. And everyone seems to agree, if that happened, it would have been perfectly legal for Trump to claim the loss and not pay taxes. In fact, Rudy Giuliani said it would prove Trump’s a ‘genius’ if he didn’t pay income taxes for 18 years.
But still, a billionaire not paying a penny of income taxes is going to be hard for most folks to swallow.
Of course, there’s a subplot here: What the Times is doing is turning up the heat on Trump to release his tax returns – and, in one way, the Times has Trump over a barrel. But, in another way, it may have handed him a gift.
The Times has now said to voters: We suspect Donald Trump didn’t pay income taxes. And, naturally, if Trump refuses to release his returns many people will conclude, The Times must be right – which is a big blow to Trump.
On the other hand, if Trump releases his tax returns and they prove he did pay taxes – that’s a big win for Trump. It will prove he’s the victim of a smear. And the Times ends up with a black eye.