I just finished watching Rachel Maddow's program during which she unveiled two pages from President Trump's 1040 form in his 2005 federal tax return. The document had been sent to financial journalist David Cay Johnston through the mail.
Depending on which Trump supporter you talk to Maddow should be indicted by Jeff Sessions or she is the Geraldo Rivera of this generation and Trump's return is the equivalent of Al Capone's vault with supporters pointing to the $38 million he paid in federal taxes in 2005. Whatever their reaction this will not dissuade them from supporting their man. If Trump believes he can shoot people on Fifth Avenue then he can get away with releasing his taxes or not releasing them.
For those who believe Trump is the anti-Christ, the tax returns potentially represent the gateway to his business ties with the Russians & other foreign entities. But if there's nothing beyond tonight then it is but a footnote. After all, if Trump can get into the White House without formally releasing his tax returns once why can't he do it again?
Naturally the question is who sent this tax return to Johnston. For his part, Johnston isn't ruling out Trump himself noting that the President has leaked information to him and to other reporters information over the years. There's a certain logic to it. If Trump is going to release a tax return he'll release a partial return that shows he paid millions in taxes though not the sources of his income.
But if it isn't Trump then whom? Could there be a maverick in his organization? A Deep Throat if you will? If so then this it could be the tip of the iceberg that sinks the Trump presidency.
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