Fun question: did you know former President Donald Trump finagled the Republican National Committee (RNC) into covering his personal legal bills? It’s nearly two million dollars! But I don’t think they anticipated how this affects Trump’s taxes. The Washington Post was the first to report on this. Me, I’m fascinated by almost every part.
Under Investigation
The New York District Attorney’s Office is investigating Trump for possible bank fraud, insurance fraud, and tax fraud. A trifecta! And yes, they’re looking at Trump’s taxes, too. Before you start, the charges have nothing to do with Trump’s political actions or his time in office. They’re looking at Trump’s businesses before he was elected President.
Big Money
First, who here is surprised the Orange Swindler is running another grift, stuffing donations into his pockets? Anyone? What, nobody? OK, me neither, but that only means we’re both messed up.
Yes, this is big money. The RNC has promised to cover $1.6M of Trump’s personal costs. Maybe they’ll cough up more later, too. And we only know about it because the RNC had to report it to the FEC.
The RNC is made of stern stuff. Unapologetically siphoning millions into Trump’s pocket takes a robust immunity to shame. Feeding Trump more money when he’s a billionaire and all? Maybe they have a pill for it.
Makes it hard to justify your next RNC donation, though, doesn’t it?
I should be infuriated. And I am, a little, but less so right now.
CREW to the Rescue
Before you get depressed, I have a delightful counterpoint. I stumbled onto the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) website. It’s fun! And their top story was a doozy: “CREW to Trump: Remember to pay taxes on RNC cash.”
Well, of course it’s taxable! I’m a little disappointed I didn’t make that connection, but I’m pleased to see this in giant print. “Mista Trump, sir? CREW just sent a big public letter reminding us that all that RNC cash is taxable income. To you. Personally.” Insert appropriate screams and curses. If nothing else, this should add a little spice to Trump’s 2021 returns.
Doesn’t the very idea give you happy feet? It does for me.
CREW
As an aside, here are some other CREW headlines:
- CREW requests records on DOD’s response to the January 6th attack.
- CREW requests DOJ records on judicial misconduct.
- Docs show: “all hands on deck” for racial justice, “no credible threats” from alt-right groups on January 6.
- CREW requests EPA records of Andrew Wheeler’s communications and trip expenses.
- CREW to Pelosi: End Congressional Stock Trading.
These are all excellent questions. But, you ask, is CREW the right group to be asking them? Are CREW political gadflies? You bet. Are they a pain in the ass? From what I’ve heard, yeah. Are the CREW group far too smug about their acronym? Probably. Are they effective?
Yeah, kinda.
Trump’s Taxes
I bet the Drumpf Dynasty didn’t see that one coming. Your RNC scam is taxable income! And if the RNC pays Trump’s taxes on top, Trump will owe more taxes on that new money.
It’s just delightful to contemplate.
