On their own, the words ‘Donald Trump’ and ‘tax return’ could put you to sleep faster than a general anaesthetic.
Yet for what seems like 100th time in the last few months, we’re back talking about Trump and his taxes.
So how did we get so enthralled by a two-page document dating back to 2005, and what the hell is really going on? Here’s a really basic rundown of everything that went down, and why it matters (or perhaps doesn’t).
Let’s rewind and go back to the very start
OK, so Trump has always been a little weird about his tax returns. In fact, he is the first Presidential candidate – Democrat or Republican – to not make his financial records public since 1976.
Rumours have flown and speculation rife about why Trump has been so hesitant to open his tax returns to the public. Was he actually just very broke? Would it show he had some funky dealings with Russia along the way? Had he been chronically rorting the American tax system for decades?
Top Comments
Rachel Maddow show was proven a train wreck. She embarrassed herself. The interesting thing was she produced nothing new. Even the New York Post reported on the tax returns twelve months ago.
I know people who like Trump will think this is an invasion of privacy, but those who dislike Trump will think it is a good thing, but if we can for a moment put all those biases aside (yes I know that's impossible), I don't understand why anyone should have to release personal financial documents, unless of course they are under investigation or something. I wouldn't like my tax returns all over the internet, not that I have anything to hide but it is just creepy that someone gets to know everything you bought, claimed etc. Though I'm not sure how much detail it gets into when they release all these records. If there is a problem then the IRS should investigate but if not people's financial records should remain private.
I suppose there is no concept of privacy anymore. I think people's privacy can and should be violated if it is somehow exposing some crime or deception but otherwise we shouldn't need to know everything about everyone else.
They don't have to, but apparently releasing tax information to the public has a 40-year tradition in the US, since Richard Nixon announced in 1973:
"People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook," Nixon told reporters in November 1973. "Well, I am not a crook."
I agree with you anon. But unfortunately he is the leader of the free world, and it is in the regulations that the president's taxes & business dealings have to be completely transparent, on election and inauguration the GOP needs to be able to show that he hasn't engaged in any dodgy or fraudulent dealings, which is interesting considering the president's previous history. Keeping in mind this man has gone bankrupt 4 times and has sent a number of unsuspecting companies that he has done business with to the wall, through his dishonesty and refusal to pay his bills fully.
Going back to the situation, he needs to be held at a higher level of accountability than that of an ordinary citizen so as to be seen to be above question and a fit & virtuous person for the office of president,(I know you can stop laughing now) and above reproach. The reality is those who are often living in the higher, more well off echelons of society, are often more tempted to engage in "socially or financially questionable" behaviours, tax evasion, or the common practice of 2 sets of books. The theory is that American's and the Free world need to be able to look at and feel secure in the knowledge that he has their countries interests at heart, not his own, this also highlights why the president and those that are connected to him, aren't allowed to make profits off, the back of him coming into power. Which still remains to be seen Unfortunately anon we don't live in an ideal world.