In the past few weeks, billionaire Donald Trump's presidential campaign has taken some major hits. Just in the past few days, damning audio footage has been released showing that he clearly disrespects and belittles women to an extreme degree (again).
Just prior to that, a 1995 tax document was leaked which showed that he may not have paid any federal income tax for a long, long time. His 1995 return shows a $916 million loss, which allows him legally to avoid paying income tax for 18 years. At the very least, he could cancel out about $50 million of taxable income each year during that period.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Why is this such a huge problem for his campaign? Because he has repeatedly criticized wealthy individuals and business (and half the country) for not paying their fair share of taxes. Here are a few examples:
In this one, he calls out Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/202114217854242817
Mitt Romney's returns "made him look like a fool." Oh did they?
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/702632410341576704
Here he is with a big stack of paper. Must be hard.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/702894623761498112
There's no way you'll ever pay as much as he does…
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/317227284996186112
20.5% > 0%
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/190866856624668672
Higher taxes for the hedge fund folks!
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/640281925270286336
Amazon is only winning because they cheat!
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/673885376742825984
Also, if you're part of this half of the country, you're the real problem…
https://twitter.com/realDonaldDrumpf/status/172772609627394049
Trump's campaign defended him, saying, "Mr. Trump is a highly-skilled businessman who has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required."
