To those defending Trump’s tax evasion because it ‘was legal’: you’re missing the damn point

~ susie

Donald Trump • Debate

A saying I use fairly often is that just because someone has the right to do something doesn’t make what they’re doing right. A person doesn’t have to be a criminal to be an unethical, sleazy scumbag con artist who lacks any and all trace of morals and basic decency. style=”display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px” data-ad-client=”ca-pub-5626295912827181″ data-ad-slot=”3586339813″> For example, in…

Published by susie

6 thoughts on “To those defending Trump’s tax evasion because it ‘was legal’: you’re missing the damn point”

  1. ITA it’s not just the hypocrisy but the fact that, once elected, Trump would do nothing to correct a system that benefits him, such as the real estate tax laws allowing him to depreciate valuable holdings. And that is in addition to the illegal stuff he does but never seems to go to jail for, such as bribing an attorney general.

  2. Still conceding the legality of this sight unseen is a dubious assumption because every time we cast light on what appears legal in Trump world we find criminal abuse. His personal use of Foundation funds is a prime example. What he packed into that “loss” and how he accounted for the Section 108 income of the debt forgiveness can only be measured by disclosure. The political hit of his behavior has now been taken. He is still hiding more in his refusal to disclose those tax returns.

  3. Well written, but poorly reasoned. Carrying forward tax losses in not just legal, it’s common knowledge and common practice in business. Conflating use of tax losses with stiffing contractors and other Trump specialties is misleading. Is Trump a scumbag? Of course, but Dem cheerleaders are missing the boat on this issue. The critique should be of the tax policy itself, which is just one of many that favor the wealthy over the rest of us. But of course that’s not going to happen, as both Hillary and especially Schumer are cognitive creatures of Wall Street, and the big business interests (especially defense) that fund their campaigns.

    SCOTUS, civil rights (except privacy), environment, etc. Sure, I get it. But making a big deal about the use of this tax policy, without taking on the root cause, is pure electioneering bluster.

  4. I spoke to David Cay Johnston this week, and he’s pretty sure it was fraud. He can’t say for sure until he sees his taxes, but believes he went public to cover his losses and stiffed the investors.

  5. I defer to DCJ, as carrying forward fantasy tax losses is obviously fraudulent. Also he’s much smarter and better informed than I am. It all depends on what the Trumpster took the losses on. If it was on other people’s money, he’s got a problem. One interesting question is whether he actually had $900+M to lose. If he took a loss on phantom gains, he’s in trouble again. (Only hedge fund managers get to figure their taxes based on other peoples’ tax status. Thanks Chuck Schumer.) None of which alters the basic point that carrying forward tax losses is common practice.

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