The Daily $1 Billion in Losses: A Decade of Trump’s Taxes
May 8, 2019
Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, investigative reporters from The New York Times, dive into the complexities of Donald Trump's tax returns, revealing astonishing losses of $1.2 billion from 1985 to 1995. They discuss the stark contrast between Trump's billionaire image and his financial reality, raising questions about transparency and inherited wealth. The conversation highlights the political implications of their investigations, as well as the legal and journalistic battles for truth in the face of powerful figures.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump's Public Image vs. Reality
- Trump's public image in the mid-1980s was one of immense success, marked by high-profile acquisitions and media attention.
- Despite this, his tax returns revealed significant financial losses, contradicting the narrative he presented.
The Value of Deception
- Trump continued to project an image of wealth and success, even as his financial losses mounted.
- He leveraged this image to secure financing and maintain his public persona.
Magnitude of Trump's Losses
- Trump's business losses were substantial, totaling $1.2 billion over a decade.
- These losses were so significant they offset a substantial portion of all individual taxpayer losses in the US.