Donald Trump Has Raised Taxes on the Middle Class By $250 Billion

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Last year Donald Trump cut taxes on corporations and the rich by about $2 trillion over the next ten years. But what about us ordinary schmoes? For us he’s levied the following taxes:

  • 25 percent tariff on steel imports
  • 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports
  • 25 percent tariff on $50 billion in imports from China

By my calculation, this comes to about $250 billion over ten years, something that Republicans have grumbled about slightly but done nothing to stop. And make no mistake: this is basically a sales tax that will ultimately be paid by consumers. So there you have it: a $2 trillion cut cut for the rich and a $250 billion tax hike for the middle class—so far. Welcome to the Republican Party’s vision for America.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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