Normalization Alert: Trump Lies, Media Balks, Public Shrugs

Republicans may believe -- in the face of all historical evidence, from Reagan to Brownback -- that massive tax cuts to wealthy business owners spur the economy and create jobs.  Fine.  If they want to rationalize their plan based on zombie economics, whatever.  But it can't be reasonably argued that their tax reform plan hurts the rich and helps the middle class.  After all, if their plan burdened the wealthy, how would they ever become job creators?  More objectively, the Tax Policy Center determined that the top 1% would receive over 50% of the tax benefits from the plan's tax cuts -- their after-tax income would increase by 8.5% while most other taxpayers would see their incomes increase between 0.5 and 1.2%. 

Many Republicans have conceded this.  They've more or less acknowledged that while their plan may be unpopular with voters who justly see it as benefiting the rich over the middle class, they are compelled to pass it in order to assuage their donors. 

But then there's the president, who insists that the plan will actually hurt those in the highest income brackets and will be a great boon to the middle class.  According to the Washington Post, during a meeting this week in which administration officials briefed Democrats about the Republican tax plan, Trump phoned in from Asia to say that "he has spoken to his own accountant about the tax plan and that he would be a 'big loser' if the deal is approved as written." He further stated that "the deal is so bad for rich people, I had to throw in the estate tax just to give them something."

Does anyone believe him?  Does anyone think that Trump actually spoke to his accountant?  Does anyone think that a tax plan that includes a pass-through loophole, eliminates the Alternative Minimum Tax, and slashes the corporate tax rate will hurt, rather than enrich the president and others of his social strata?  Of course not.

Has the media asked any questions to follow up on these statements?  Have they sought to track down Trump's accountant?  Have they asked why Trump is still not providing his tax returns and how the public can trust that he isn't benefitting from the tax bill -- and other policies -- without knowing the nature and extent of Trump's finances?  Of course not.

He lies.  He lies about the impact of tax reform on the country.  He lies about the impact of tax reform on himself.  He refuses to disclose his tax returns or resolve myriad conflicts of interest.

This.  Is.  Not.  Normal.