I would be remiss if I did not mention President Trump’s “leaked” 2005 Tax Return — at least two pages of it. Isn’t it odd that a little known former Pulitzer prize winning reporter who happens to hate Donald Trump mysteriously received in his mailbox that tax return from an unknown source? Will wonders never cease! And isn’t it ironic that he would choose to show the World those tax returns through the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC — a talk show host AND network that have spent most of their airtime during the Presidential campaign and subsequent Trump presidency discussing their “professional” and “impartial” journalistic analyses of all things Trump? Ironies abound!
First things first: it is illegal for a federal tax return to be printed or published by any persons or entities other than those authorized by the person (or authorized person(s) in the case of a corporate return): “Illegal.” (U.S. Code › Title 26 › Subtitle F › Chapter 61 › Subchapter B› § 6103)
That means at least one law was broken. Interesting that in the “Maddow Show,” the host in her introduction stated, “Our disclosure of Donald Trump’s 2005 Federal Income Tax Return is not illegal. We are protected under the First Amendment of the 
Constitution.” (she references the protections provided referred to as “Freedom of the Press”) Unfortunately for Ms. Maddow, her premise is incorrect. Her doing so was a violation of federal law. U.S. Code › Title 26 › Subtitle F › Chapter 61 › Subchapter B› § 6103 says the following: “It shall be unlawful for any person to whom any return or return information (as defined in section 6103(b)) is disclosed in a manner unauthorized by this title thereafter willfully to print or publish in any manner not provided by law any such return or return information. Any violation of this paragraph shall be a felony punishable by a fine in any amount not exceeding $5,000, or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.”
Hmmm….wonder where the NBC big bosses are on this one? I heard radio talk show host Laura Ingraham recommend that federal authorities seek out ALL individuals who were party to the illegal release of that partial tax return, fully investigate their illegal sources, and prosecute the lawbreakers to the fullest extent of the law. As provided in the above statute, “fullest extent” would be $5,000 in fines and 5 years in federal prison. If you have a little time, Google the law referenced above and read it. It is quite extensive and thorough. You’ll note there is NO provision in it that authorizes a talk show host (or any other media person or entity) to release federal tax records FOR ANY REASON. Contrary to Ms. Maddow’s show disclaimer, she broke the law.
But the ultimate irony in this is that then “citizen” Donald Trump paid $38 million to Uncle Sam! That’s a tax rate of 25%. I would think (and most would agree) that 25% is a fair tax rate and $38 million was a fair amount to pay. Granted more recent returns would probably show different rates and payments based on financial circumstances for the applicable tax year (as it does for every taxpayer), but my guess today is that the man paid his taxes. On a humorous note, the DNC actually insinuated that Trump may have released that partial return on his own to deflect attention away from the Russian investigation now underway. They in fact indicated that the balance of the two-page partial return could actually show Trump business dealings with the Russians and that he owed the Russian government money! My returns are certainly not as complicated and lengthy as President Trump’s, but I cannot recall any place on a business, partnership, or personal return an item to list amounts owed to others. Maybe I’m wrong. My returns all involved several zeroes less than his!
Want to get a good laugh at the network that released the Trump tax return? NINE of MSNBC’s current and past on-air personalities/anchors have or have had federal tax liens and legal tax action taken against them. Among those are Al Sharpton, Craig Melvin, Chris Matthews, Joy-Ann Reid, Kristen Welker, Toure Neblett, and Melissa Harris-Perry. Knowing that sheds a little light on the network’s obsession with President Trump’s tax returns. Their anchors have a good handle on owing the IRS and seem to be adept at discussing it on air. Sharpton alone still has a 7 figure outstanding tax liability. Oddly enough, the man that NBC hates the most (who now lives in the White House) has no record of ever having a tax payment problem although has numerous times suffered through IRS audits.
Which begs this question: if the self righteous on-air personalities at NBC wish to continually demand access to Donald Trump’s tax returns, (and especially in light of their willingness to obtain and report them illegally) should not those same anchors be forthcoming with their own personal returns for all to see — a sort of “quid pro quo?” I understand that they are not federal employees nor running for political office. But they ARE bastions of the watchdog media that are all self appointed protectors of all that is honest, good, and liberal in the U.S. government, and also appointed to keep conservatives at bay. Holding up that banner means they too should prove their worthiness to shine the light of tax purity on others. Ms. Maddow: “Show us the Money!”
All kidding aside, are there not more important things to NBC than spending a huge portion of their considerable resources to seek dirt on President Trump? Do they not understand Americans are weary of their incessant ranting on air about the President? it boils down to this: they either don’t understand Americans don’t want to hear it anymore or they do not care. They apparently are happy to feed the NBC/MSNBC/CNBC lapdog viewers who agree with all things Rachel Maddow and Chris Matthews (who had a tingle go up his leg when interviewing Barack Obama).
Meanwhile the guys upstairs at NBC are still looking for the Trump tax returns to prove he is in cahoots with Vladimir Putin. There’s desperation to find those returns on the part of Maddow and her viewing audience: both viewers!
