WashPost to Trump: Prove You Don't Benefit From Tax Cuts

The Washington Post challenged President Donald Trump to prove he will not benefit from a tax cut plan.

"Rustling up votes for the GOP tax plan, President Trump on Tuesday reportedly assured Senate Democrats that he would not personally benefit from the proposal," the newspaper said in an editorial.

"In fact, he insisted, his accountant told him he will be a 'big loser' if the House Republican tax bill passes. 'The deal is so bad for rich people, I had to throw in the estate tax just to give them something,' the president said.

"At least one of those statements is false. The deal is good for rich people. Wealthy people's after-tax incomes would rise at a substantially higher rate than for those lower down the income scale, according to an analysis of the House GOP tax plan that the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center released Wednesday."

And the newspaper said there is reason to doubt Trump's comments about his own finances.

"But because, unlike every other president of the modern era, he refuses to make his tax returns public, we can't be sure," the Post said. "If Mr. Trump wants to prove that he is promoting tax reform despite, not because of, his own financial interest, there is an easy way to do so: He can finally release his tax returns."

The newspaper noted every major party presidential candidate since Richard Nixon has released their tax returns.

"The public should know what conflicts of interest the president has, particularly when questions of taxing and spending are on the table," the Post said. "The president says GOP tax reform is not about enriching himself. A Congress with a modicum of self-respect would answer: Great to hear. Now show us."

• Trump: I'd Be 'Big Loser' Under Tax Plan
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