TRUMP’S TAXES

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Go figure. The New York Times was the first to get Trump’s taxes.

Here is an excellent (and very readable) analysis from Just Security on the legal implications of the NYT bombshell article on Trump’s tax returns. The author is a professor of tax law at NYU School of Law.

There’s a core of Trump’s support that won’t care if evidence shows Trump is a fraud and cheat. They like what he stands for. They like what he’s trying to do. But given the state of the race, evidence that Trump is a cheat and a fraud nonetheless hurts him.

To win, Trump needs to expand his support. A bombshell like the tax info makes it harder for Trump to do that. People have already started voting. Time is running out for Trump to turn this around. From 538:

For a sense of what we’re up against, see this 2018 post about why Trump’s base is fine with his lawbreaking.

At some point, the strongman facade will crumble, but the tax story is unlikely to do it as long as his base thinks he can win.

That’s why Don Jr. is out there talking nonsense and making stuff up. As long as the Trumps are lying, his supporters know that he’s still in the fight, so they’re cheering.

In a 2018 Slate article, I wrote about why Trump supporters believe (or pretend to believe) all the lies. It’s here.

Of course, the GOP knows Trump can’t turn this around. That’s why cheating and voter suppression are their only options. Trump has to keep his base excited, which means he has to appeal to white supremacists. He can’t do that and appeal to the majority of Americans.

The “again” in MAGA signifies reactionist politics. MAGA means take America back to the time when white men could cheat and grab.

Those were the days.

(I’m hearing Archie and Edith, not Mary Hopkins)

I agree. News like this chips away at the edges of Trump’s support, and helps Biden solidify his, and that helps. Moving the needle a single percentage point can make a big difference in the Senate and local races.

Tomorrow I have my own Just Security piece coming out. The editor there asked me to write an expanded explanation of the Strongman Con. I’ll post it [on my blog] tomorrow evening.

Don’t Believe Trump’s Latest Con: The Strongman