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Trump: IRS audits me because I’m a “strong Christian” [Watch Video]
Hotair ^ | 02/26/2016 | Ed Morrissey

Posted on 02/26/2016 8:00:01 AM PST by SeekAndFind

Or maybe because, to quote Ben Carson, they’re looking at the fruit salad of his life. Fresh off of getting chased around the arena by a couple of lions, Donald Trump tried to explain to CNN’s Chris Cuomo why the IRS audits him so routinely, the excuse he gave during the debate for not releasing his tax returns. Trump claimed to be the victim of religious persecution:

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO

“I’m always audited by the IRS, which I think is very unfair. Maybe because of religion, maybe because of something else, maybe because I am doing this, but this is just recently,” Trump said, at the end referring to his presidential bid.

When CNN’s Chris Cuomo questioned the comment about religion, the real estate tycoon said: “Maybe because of the fact that I am a strong Christian … you see what’s happened, you have many religious groups complaining about that.”

Perhaps it has more to do with Trump’s complicated finances than it does with his religious affiliation, because let’s face it, the IRS may not have even known about the latter. Trump has affirmed his Christian affiliation, but it’s safe to say that he hasn’t exactly been one of the more high-profile followers of the church during the course of his life. Chris Cuomo can’t quite believe he’s hearing it, and asks for clarification on Trump’s claim of religious persecution.

The issue arose earlier this week when Mitt Romney publicly speculated that Trump was trying to hide something in his tax returns — either legal issues, or perhaps just that Trump has inflated estimates of his wealth to impress voters. Hugh Hewitt asked four of the five candidates on stage whether they would release their tax returns but started with Trump, who promised exactly one year earlier on Hugh’s show that he would release all his returns:

Last night, when reminded of this, Trump sneered at Hugh’s show while flip-flopping on releasing the returns:

Well, if he’s routinely audited every year, then why did Trump promise to release his tax returns when talking to Hugh a year ago? And what about an audit prevents people from releasing their returns, anyway? If they are the same documents provided to the IRS, then there’s nothing legally risky about providing them to other people at the same time. It may require a caveat that the returns could be modified after an audit, but tax returns aren’t held under lock and key during audits — and previous years certainly could be released.

Unless releasing tax returns are against Donald’s religion, nothing about these responses make much sense, except as a fruit salad of dodges.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: audit; irs; trump
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To: mlizzy

Sometimes I think he’s testing the gullibility of his supporters


21 posted on 02/26/2016 8:11:00 AM PST by almcbean
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To: mlizzy
The stronger one becomes as a Christian, the more they admit they are not a good Christian.

Agreed.

Don't they usually call themselves "the Face of God" or some such?

22 posted on 02/26/2016 8:11:46 AM PST by Balding_Eagle ( The Great Wall of Trump ---- 100% sealing of the border. Coming soon.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Trump stated that he would make cuts to agencies and alluded to abolishing the Dept. of Education. I would imagine the IRS is high on his list.


23 posted on 02/26/2016 8:12:52 AM PST by CivilWarBrewing (u)
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

I saw that live last night. That was the biggest lie I’ve heard in a national political campaign. I’m just saying.... this guy is a carnival barker, crook, lair, orange headed, narcissist, jerk.


24 posted on 02/26/2016 8:12:54 AM PST by kjam22 (America needs forgiveness from God..... even if Donald Trump doesn't)
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To: austingirl
"He is being audited for his sleazy business dealings."

You talkin' about Al Sharpton?

25 posted on 02/26/2016 8:15:19 AM PST by CivilWarBrewing (u)
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To: kjam22
That was the biggest lie I’ve heard in a national political campaign

You must have missed yesterday when Trump claimed he reads the Bible more than anyone.

26 posted on 02/26/2016 8:15:50 AM PST by gdani (Write a check to Al Sharpton? Automatic disqualification.)
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To: almcbean
Sometimes I think he’s testing the gullibility of his supporters

There is no limit to the gullibility. None...

27 posted on 02/26/2016 8:15:55 AM PST by kjam22 (America needs forgiveness from God..... even if Donald Trump doesn't)
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To: gdani

He reads with his two Corinthian friends everyday.


28 posted on 02/26/2016 8:16:25 AM PST by kjam22 (America needs forgiveness from God..... even if Donald Trump doesn't)
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To: SeekAndFind

I think I can safely say Trump doesn’t do his own taxes. I think it’s also safe to say that he has teams of accountants to handle them and he doesn’t review or even sign the return.


29 posted on 02/26/2016 8:17:16 AM PST by babygene (Make America Great Again)
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To: SeekAndFind; Impy; sickoflibs

I ate sushi at a Japanese restaurant a handful of times in my life. Now I worry if my strong diet of Japanese food will cause me to be audited.


30 posted on 02/26/2016 8:18:43 AM PST by BillyBoy (Impeach Obama? Yes We Can!)
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To: almcbean

Sometimes I think that too. :)


31 posted on 02/26/2016 8:19:11 AM PST by mlizzy (America needs no words from me to see how your decision in Roe/Wade has deformed a great nation. -MT)
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To: SeekAndFind
His statements become more bizarre by the day.
32 posted on 02/26/2016 8:19:36 AM PST by traderrob6
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To: SeekAndFind

“...who promised exactly one year earlier on Hugh’s show that he would release all his returns:

Last night, when reminded of this, Trump sneered at Hugh’s show while flip-flopping on releasing the returns:”

Did he give Hugh a date certain? Is Trump alone in not releasing his tax returns? His tax returns are a bit more intricate than, say Rubio, who has yet to release his.

Trump should probably not release his returns, because, as Huckabee said, he will get hit if he doesn’t and hit if he does.


33 posted on 02/26/2016 8:21:41 AM PST by odawg
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To: SeekAndFind

Let’s see Trump slamming hussein on his BC.
Trump BFFs with Arpio.
Trump is a Christian.

Can’t imagine why the IRS is targeting him.


34 posted on 02/26/2016 8:21:55 AM PST by moehoward
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To: SeekAndFind
Between the 31 different cheap shot/lies that came out of Trump's mouth and his out and out lies, Good Lord, this guy is a bold-faced liar and it doesn't bother him to think that he just might be embarrassing himself.

And then there are people who think he is the greatest thing EVER.

Just wow.

35 posted on 02/26/2016 8:21:55 AM PST by Slyfox (Ted Cruz does not need the presidency - the presidency needs Ted Cruz)
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To: ClearCase_guy
"I know some people think Trump sounds silly but I think he’s playing this brilliantly."

He is using Saul Alinsky tactics just like Obama, Hillary, and most of the Democrats do.

36 posted on 02/26/2016 8:23:09 AM PST by Spunky (Trump says: I am Greedy! Greedy! Greedy!)
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

Do you know his heart?.....are you God?....

I didn’t think so!


37 posted on 02/26/2016 8:23:51 AM PST by Guenevere (If.the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do....)
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To: CivilWarBrewing
Trump is being audited-but I think you knew that.

Al is too well connected to Zero to have to pay taxes or be audited.

38 posted on 02/26/2016 8:24:17 AM PST by austingirl (Cruz 2016)
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To: ClearCase_guy
"Dr. Carson was first last night to say that the IRS targetted him. We know this is'’t paranoia; we know it happens. Then Trump joins and offers himself up as a Christian being persecuted by Obama's IRS."

That was the moment Cruz deflated. He had spent far too long pumping up this contrived "something to hide" balloon only to have Carson step up and gently insert a needle.

39 posted on 02/26/2016 8:26:06 AM PST by moehoward
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To: knarf

Well said, knarf!


40 posted on 02/26/2016 8:26:16 AM PST by Guenevere (If.the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do....)
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