The New York Times received 26 Million Dollars in tax breaks related to building their headquarters on Eight Avenue.
2
Thank you Mr. Bagli for this story. I guess all people who take the city for tax breaks need to explain why in the webpages of the New York times.
Also thank you, Mr. Bagli, for the story you wrote on February 28, 2001 about how your employer, The New York times, got $29 million from the city in tax breaks for building its new building.
Mr. Bagli, what did the city get back in return? Figures, please.
Also thank you, Mr. Bagli, for the story you wrote on February 28, 2001 about how your employer, The New York times, got $29 million from the city in tax breaks for building its new building.
Mr. Bagli, what did the city get back in return? Figures, please.
3
Many real estate developers use every trick in the book to make $, including payoffs, kickbacks, bribes, tax breaks, threats, and general wheeling and dealing--like most politicians: men like LBJ, Huey Long, Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall, Richard J. Daley of Chicago, the Republican machine of Atlantic City as shown on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire." Big city machine politicians like Daley and Boss Tweed, and statewide political machines like the Byrd machine and the Long machine are tightly interwoven with real estate developers, building contractors, highway construction and paving companies, slumlords, public housing authorities, parking meter operators, and all other government contractors. This is how they get their money to get re-elected, keep power and give government jobs to their friends, family and political associates. The Donald, aka Mr. Big Stuff, has been part of this system his whole life, and he learned the "family business" from his dad.
5
Tax exemptions for honest business are good, however nise of them by pay to play that TRUMP amd people like previous Texas Governor Perry did are criminal and should be treated as such. Did you notice how a long law suite was settled in favor of Trump as soon as Julian became New York mayor. Now you why Juiliani is Trump g for TRUMP? Same way who does not know KOCH environmental law suite of over 6 yeara during Clinton administration was settled within first month of George W. Bush administration. Same KOCH company had favorable treatment from papa Bush after Regan administration. Such corrupts should get old west west treatment, specially gun lover Trump, should he not be. What is your opinion, please advise and let us all know. I love guns own few but for peaceful security and hunting but hate those who abuse as Bully like Trump commented for Clinton security forces.
1
Anna - My opinion of her trustworthiness is based on her own comments and behaviors: "We ducked sniper fire in Kosovo"; "I asked for and got permission to have a private email server in my home" - which the Inspector General of the State Department - hardly a member of a "vast right-wing conspiracy" - refuted categorically; with many other lies .. "If I run", right up to last Sunday's "I feel fine ... etc." followed by four days of recuperation for pneumonia.
I'll trust you that the right wing press is hard on her - I wouldn't know because I don't read it - but she gives them lots of reason.
I can't trust anything she says. If she were to say "I want to be President at all costs to America" I would believe that.
I'll trust you that the right wing press is hard on her - I wouldn't know because I don't read it - but she gives them lots of reason.
I can't trust anything she says. If she were to say "I want to be President at all costs to America" I would believe that.
3
So ironic that the failing tabloid New York Times would actually stoop to publishing this when it's those very tax breaks and loop holes that are passed by the corrupt political establishment who took bribes, I mean donations, from special interests to get them in the first place! Very unfair that NYT targets only Trump when ALL businesses and corporations and now foreign countries take advantage of those laws, loopholes and tax breaks passed by State and Federal corrupt politicians. And oh by the way, Trump is proposing massive tax cuts on businesses and corporations. GO TRUMP @realdonaldtrump
4
Of course, the same thing applies to every corporation in the country. Why is it that, with a 35% corporate tax rate, the effective taxes paid by corporation like Apple, Microsoft, John Deere, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, the Koch brothers and Michael Bloomberg's varied holdings, amount to less than 1% of actual profits? Loopholes. That 70,000 page tax code "conservatives" used to wave around? It's all loopholes, written by corporate lawyers and enacted into law by corrupt, clueless, politicians. GE hasn't paid federal income taxes in years. Apple and Google have billions of untaxed "offshore profits" sitting in Manhattan banks. It's all well and good to write about Trump's tax breaks, but how about writing about the tax breaks for the Clinton's slush fund?
6
Most of us who choose to comment on the NYTs must know we are mostly preaching to the choir of rational thinking... The fact is, those who are ignorant enough to even consider casting a vote for the know nothing, pathological lying, carnival barking divider Trump are not inclined to read the NYTs... Or any other media publication this side of Breitbart, Drudge, or FOX Nooz, where they are provided daily reinforcements for their irrational hate and fear... Which somehow provides them comfort (along with their personal arsenals).
"Deplorables" was indeed the perfect term for these abhorrent tribal haters.
"Deplorables" was indeed the perfect term for these abhorrent tribal haters.
7
Hey Tom I'm a deplorable college educated ex military pilot. When you get to name calling it's cause you have no rational argument. Again , Trump hasn't done anything illegal. Or unethical. I'm sure you try to pay as little taxes as you can also.
No neat to this story or your post. Just name calling .
No neat to this story or your post. Just name calling .
5
Trump the poster child of all that is wrong within our government. Nearly a billion in handouts from the government. So 70 years spent being totally self serving and I am suppose to believe Trump is now all about changing the country to make life better for all Americans? I have yet to read about anything Trump did during those 70 years, before deciding he deserved the White House, that proves he has ever been for anyone other than himself.
13
Wow a US citizen and family that takes advantage of legal tax loops to pay less taxes??? That is newsworthy!! I'm sure the Clintons haven't done this. Or Obama. He's increased his wealth by over $ 3.5 mil since he's been Prez. Not as great an increase as the Clintons going from " broke" to a net worth over $200 mil in 15 years. As a voter , I'm more concerned about the Clintons meteoric rise in wealth in last 15 years, especially since her and Bill have been public servants for over 40 years. Not really concerned about a developer that broke no laws, didn't cheat anyone, and provided much needed tax breaks to New Yorkers back then , which I understand they could use again today as New York State is loosing more citizens due to current rate of property, school and income taxes.
4
Dear Frank:
Please Frank, we've got your number. You're a Trump zealot who of course is going to be more concerned with the Clinton's accumulation of wealth than you are with Trump's illegal fraudulent practices.
We New Yorker's who have seen Trump in action for decades knows this guy is a con man, someone who will beg, borrow and steal to get what benefits him and him alone. A president of a company which bears his name can flaunt laws accompanied by a phalanx of attorneys who keep the poor souls whom he has cheated at bay with threats of protracted lawsuits which the average business person cannot afford. Trump knows this and thus could care less when someone sues him. He just doesn't give a hoot what you do.
When it comes to being president of the US all the nefarious rules one played by in business do not apply. When you have people in Congress of equal clout you can't be some pompous dictator thinking it's your way or the highway. What you get is more gridlock. If you think Republicans obstructing President Obama wasn't much of anything imagine a Chuck Shumer led Senate against Trump. What goes around comes around.
Your obsession with Bill and Hillary shows me one thing. You are not concerned with getting to the truth. Your intent is to get Hillary indicted, convicted and into the gray-bar hotel. That is not going to happen, not because Bill and Hill have bought off the FBI but because they are not guilty of the "crimes" alleged.
DD
Manhattan
Please Frank, we've got your number. You're a Trump zealot who of course is going to be more concerned with the Clinton's accumulation of wealth than you are with Trump's illegal fraudulent practices.
We New Yorker's who have seen Trump in action for decades knows this guy is a con man, someone who will beg, borrow and steal to get what benefits him and him alone. A president of a company which bears his name can flaunt laws accompanied by a phalanx of attorneys who keep the poor souls whom he has cheated at bay with threats of protracted lawsuits which the average business person cannot afford. Trump knows this and thus could care less when someone sues him. He just doesn't give a hoot what you do.
When it comes to being president of the US all the nefarious rules one played by in business do not apply. When you have people in Congress of equal clout you can't be some pompous dictator thinking it's your way or the highway. What you get is more gridlock. If you think Republicans obstructing President Obama wasn't much of anything imagine a Chuck Shumer led Senate against Trump. What goes around comes around.
Your obsession with Bill and Hillary shows me one thing. You are not concerned with getting to the truth. Your intent is to get Hillary indicted, convicted and into the gray-bar hotel. That is not going to happen, not because Bill and Hill have bought off the FBI but because they are not guilty of the "crimes" alleged.
DD
Manhattan
13
Trump's pursuit of public subsidies is very much in line with his rhetoric of proudly taking advantage of a rigged system.
6
Can no Democrat in office -- like our president -- ask the IRS to wrap up their audit of Trump's tax returns, so the flimsy lie of that excuse can at least be removed?
5
Why exactly are politicians allowed to give away our tax dollars to rich developers to ruin our cities with oversized gaudy abominations? Is it simply so they can get kickbacks or is there some (even purported) benefit to the taxpayers?
6
If I would get a tax subsidy or tax break for everything I do I would be wealthy also.....tax breaks insure huge risk free profits, guaranteed platinum lifestyles all paid for by taxpayers hard earned money by laws passed in a Congress that were lobbied for by persons such as Trump and those like him. Empires such as this are built on tax breaks and not on sound, honest business practices. This is a large scale transfer of wealth to the few whose ethics are in the sewer and thus have the absence of conscience to lobby and coerce the "citizen's government" to channel taxpayers money into their own pockets. $885,000,000 in tax breaks given to one family is hardly something for a government to brag about.
12
The Donald is the Don, the CEO of a bunch of thugs and grabbers. Stop from sucking resources at the federal level. I have gone throughout the hardships of Great Recession and understand, I believe, the destruction of our social fabric, job outsourcing and change in demographics, but I miss the result we are facing: the head of a family of thugs running for president. God forbids!
4
Don-the-Con pretends to be such a great business genius, yet his business empire is based on handouts from New York's taxpayers.
The city and its residents and genuine businessmen would have been better served if these taxpayer funded giveaways to Trump had been used for subsidies for affordable housing and repairing the city's aging infrastructure.
The city and its residents and genuine businessmen would have been better served if these taxpayer funded giveaways to Trump had been used for subsidies for affordable housing and repairing the city's aging infrastructure.
8
New Yorkers stood by and watched this financial thug raid city taxes. NBC gave him a bully pulpit. Now, we may all have to pay.
5
Yes, the tax breaks were seemingly legally obtained. The issue really is that Trump has made millions at the expense of taxpayers. Can anyone trust Trump to divest himself of these interests or put them into a blind trust? From the history of his business dealings, can you trust Trump to help the middle and lower classes? My response would be a resounding NO.
9
Exactly. But I also am curious how the Clintons went from broke to some $200 million in wealth since they left the White House. They have both been public servants for some 40 years.
Do they even own a pair of socks not paid for by a taxpayer somewhere?
Do they even own a pair of socks not paid for by a taxpayer somewhere?
3
He's an opporunist who takes advantage of tax laws which begs the question -- why do our tax laws have the loopholes and incentives that allow this thievery??
5
This article reminds me of just how important it is that we see Trump's Tax Returns. He is running for the most important job in our nation, while touting himself as a great businessman, yet he refuses to disclose any of his tax returns and has even gone to ridiculous lengths, making up flimsy excuses which are constantly changing, to keep us from seeing them. He expects us to just take his word at how great he is. Would you hire someone to run your company without any more proof, than he has given us, of what their accomplishments and capabilities were? I seriously doubt it, yet look how far he has managed to get without having to back up any of his self claimed "overwhelming awsomeness". Donald Trump has made a laughing stock of our country and taken the Presidential Election process to an all time low. I cannot even begin to imagine the lineup of candidates we will have running in the next election. And, no doubt, someone is out there right now trying to figure out how they can launch a reality tv show to follow the candidates around during the next election. Trump has definitely changed things, however, I am afraid, it is not for the better.
9
Anyone who believes (a.k.a. Trump supporters) that Trump will save them with good jobs & money in their pockets is being taken for the biggest ride in their lives. He & his kids are great examples of takers & grabbers. Not paying their contractors & employees (e.g., Ivanka Trump & the unpaid interns) while claiming all they can get from the taxpayers makes us all simpletons for giving him a pass on all these shenanigans.
19
Why NYT, do I have no expectation that articles like this are nothing more than aggregated innuendo and gossip? The aura of precision you attempt to create is belied by your constant politically slanted distortion of reality on all fronts. As you know, the article is rare that does not contain some error of understanding noticed by everyone who knows the actual facts. This truism is compounded by your deception and desire to sway opinion based in preconceived notions instead of reporting the news.
I just cannot trust you.
I just cannot trust you.
11
Facts speak loudly.
1
Please be specific. Where are the errors by NYT and what are the 'true facts'?
3
if commenter Ptoole spoke to certain specific errors, distortions omissions in the original article, his complaint against NYT's writing might have merit. Instead, his or her broad sweeping generalizations are nothing more than the biased, lax approach about which he or she complains. What's worse, the commenter diverts attention from how Mr. Trump has benefited from tax breaks in spite of him paying no taxes of his own. Doesn't Ptoole wonder how the Trump Organization will benefit should Mr. Trump sit in the Oval Office for four years? I do!
6
This is the least of our problems concerning Donald Trump.
4
Where are Trump's tax returns? The media need to keep raising this issue. If Mike Pence can share his tax forms, then so can Trump.
21
Irrelevant. A non-issue.
1
Relevant, an issue.
5
Maybe it would be irrelevant if Trump hadn't constantly accused Clinton of being "crooked." He should put up or shut up. If he's honest, why not prove it by showing his returns -- like Clinton did.
8
He robs New York and America of their taxes and then expects us to rlect hm Prwsident. Wow!
14
I may lern to type one of theses days ;-)
The tax breaks Trump has received are routine and are have also been given to other rich developers like Gary Barnett, Larry Silverstein, the list goes on and on. An the majority of the tax breaks are actually temporary 10 to 15 year partial real estate tax abatements that are passed on to the rich buyers of the condos that Trump and these other developers build. One one takes into account all the construction jobs and other jobs created, generating taxes for NYC, plus the permanent large increase in real estate taxes after the abatements have expired, NYC nets a large financial gain from Trump's developments. Charles Bagli knows this but is so desperate to make Trump look like a crook that he misrepresents what these tax deals really are. Shame (again) on the NY Times for biased coverage toward Trump.
4
Dear Mr. A.D.:
And your absolving Trump of any wrongdoing, ethically or otherwise, is most kindhearted of you. I see your slant: It's just business as usual, boys will be boys and so on. How quaint. How deeply condescending. Giving credence to Trump's business practices says more about you and his disciples who, like Pilate, wash their hands of any compliance in the failures of business in '08.
After all, nothing they did was really illegal. It was in fact made legal by a very strong and influential lobby of business groups to make sure what they did was indeed legal and totally above board. Again, how quaint.
So yes, blame the NYTimes and the author of this piece for how do you put it, their bias? As someone who has seen the bias displayed against Hillary by FOX "News" and Right Wing talk radio on a 24/7 constant barrage since Hillary first sent feelers out on her candidacy, I have taken their attacks as par for the course. The label "untrustworthy" was put into the sausage grinder many moons ago and initially it was just the clarion call of Right Wing fringe types. No longer. Following their mentor Goebbels "Big Lie" theory they have taken their branding iron mainstream where now a large percentage of people now subscribe to the "untrustworthy" mantra. It's selling like hotcakes.
But that doesn't mean everyone's buying. I'm not as well as millions of others who see the crucifixion of Hillary as nothing more than politics. There are more us than them.
DD
Manhattan
And your absolving Trump of any wrongdoing, ethically or otherwise, is most kindhearted of you. I see your slant: It's just business as usual, boys will be boys and so on. How quaint. How deeply condescending. Giving credence to Trump's business practices says more about you and his disciples who, like Pilate, wash their hands of any compliance in the failures of business in '08.
After all, nothing they did was really illegal. It was in fact made legal by a very strong and influential lobby of business groups to make sure what they did was indeed legal and totally above board. Again, how quaint.
So yes, blame the NYTimes and the author of this piece for how do you put it, their bias? As someone who has seen the bias displayed against Hillary by FOX "News" and Right Wing talk radio on a 24/7 constant barrage since Hillary first sent feelers out on her candidacy, I have taken their attacks as par for the course. The label "untrustworthy" was put into the sausage grinder many moons ago and initially it was just the clarion call of Right Wing fringe types. No longer. Following their mentor Goebbels "Big Lie" theory they have taken their branding iron mainstream where now a large percentage of people now subscribe to the "untrustworthy" mantra. It's selling like hotcakes.
But that doesn't mean everyone's buying. I'm not as well as millions of others who see the crucifixion of Hillary as nothing more than politics. There are more us than them.
DD
Manhattan
22
Why wouldn't he have pursued these tax breaks? To not is just bad business. If the law provided for it, perhaps we should be upset with the lawmakers rather than those acting out of self-interest. Yes, Trump is as grimy as his behavior is gross, but I don't see how his exploitation of tax benefits highlights anything other than his interest in improving his own bottom line, which is the whole point of capitalism. We can indict him for his behavior but to do that and stop short of fixing the problem--which, to be clear, is capitalism run amok--is counterproductive.
Don't hate the player, hate the game. Come on, folks!
Don't hate the player, hate the game. Come on, folks!
7
Dear John C.:
Claiming that lining one's pockets irregardless of how it effects the common good, lacking any empathy or decency, for not only the legality but the ethics of such behavior, speaks volumes about what you and others think of capitalism.
Is it any wonder there were millions of Sanders supporters who think Hillary is too cozy with Wall Street that they chose a bona fide socialist to be their nominee? You and your complacent ilk are unwittingly another reason so many young folks, future politicos once they mature, will abandon any sense of your notions of capitalism as one of our core principles, and its complete lack of ethical considerations when conducting their enterprises.
Sorry, no, your old days are numbered are as the dwindling support for the GOP. They are an elephant slowly marching to a funereal dirge toward the graveyard. Continuing to exhort the "qualities" of a capitalist like that odious piece of human debris Trump, they're asking, demanding, their own annihilation.
McCain was strike one, Romney strike two, and now the GOP are less than two months away from another swing and a miss for strike three. Where they go after this horrible defeat, as they head for 2020 will not take 20/20 eyesight to foresee. They are done for the season, out of the game for many winters to come, if they manage to retrieve any semblance of coherence at all.
DD
Manhattan
Claiming that lining one's pockets irregardless of how it effects the common good, lacking any empathy or decency, for not only the legality but the ethics of such behavior, speaks volumes about what you and others think of capitalism.
Is it any wonder there were millions of Sanders supporters who think Hillary is too cozy with Wall Street that they chose a bona fide socialist to be their nominee? You and your complacent ilk are unwittingly another reason so many young folks, future politicos once they mature, will abandon any sense of your notions of capitalism as one of our core principles, and its complete lack of ethical considerations when conducting their enterprises.
Sorry, no, your old days are numbered are as the dwindling support for the GOP. They are an elephant slowly marching to a funereal dirge toward the graveyard. Continuing to exhort the "qualities" of a capitalist like that odious piece of human debris Trump, they're asking, demanding, their own annihilation.
McCain was strike one, Romney strike two, and now the GOP are less than two months away from another swing and a miss for strike three. Where they go after this horrible defeat, as they head for 2020 will not take 20/20 eyesight to foresee. They are done for the season, out of the game for many winters to come, if they manage to retrieve any semblance of coherence at all.
DD
Manhattan
7
Keep dreaming! Hillary is on the ropes. Her pol numbers will continue to go down. CNN and MSNBC pundits heads are exploding. McCain and Romney would have been awful presidents. Trump is not McCain or Romney.
3
Dear E. P, K.:
By your exasperation in your voice I am hearing just the opposite. Since the conventions ended, though the polls have varied with highs and lows, Hillary has never been behind in the Electoral College. With less than a month and a half to go, and a week away from the first debate, I won't say it's all over for Trump except for the crying by his supporters but if you think Trump isn't going to be clobbered here in New York and lose then you are indeed a delusional Trumpist.
No heads are exploding. Hillary is not on the ropes. Again she is still favored in this liberal rag which you are reading to win by over 70%. If Trump had those numbers, I would be concerned. But he doesn't and won't. It's over, that's for sure. But not the way you think. We have yet to see Hillary take care of Trump in the first of three debates. Trump can only claim a victory by not losing each debate by much. In the end, that will not be enough. If you're a betting man, check out Ladbrokes, the London bookmaker, and see what the odds of your chump Trump to win. And then put your money where your mouth is. See you November the 8th.
DD
Manhattan
By your exasperation in your voice I am hearing just the opposite. Since the conventions ended, though the polls have varied with highs and lows, Hillary has never been behind in the Electoral College. With less than a month and a half to go, and a week away from the first debate, I won't say it's all over for Trump except for the crying by his supporters but if you think Trump isn't going to be clobbered here in New York and lose then you are indeed a delusional Trumpist.
No heads are exploding. Hillary is not on the ropes. Again she is still favored in this liberal rag which you are reading to win by over 70%. If Trump had those numbers, I would be concerned. But he doesn't and won't. It's over, that's for sure. But not the way you think. We have yet to see Hillary take care of Trump in the first of three debates. Trump can only claim a victory by not losing each debate by much. In the end, that will not be enough. If you're a betting man, check out Ladbrokes, the London bookmaker, and see what the odds of your chump Trump to win. And then put your money where your mouth is. See you November the 8th.
DD
Manhattan
4
I am surprised that no journalist has complemented Trump on his good health, a 70 year old man growing one inch, not shrinking as most older men do. The journalist might also tell him how fortunate his growth was since otherwise he would be considered obese.
5
Has there ever been a more parasitic person, whose whole life has been to take, take, take with no regard to who he hurts. How many shareholders, bond holders, investors, banks, partners, sellers and buyers and former wives has he deceived and hurt? How many trusting students has he fleeced out of their life savings, believing he would lesd them to the promised land?
19
Does anyone wonder why everyone who knows Donald Trump also knows he's a crook? Isn't it strange that not one business associate will vouch for him, yet a gullible public still looks at him as a breath of fresh air.
18
Do u know why big businesses and politicians are vouching for HRC? It's cos she knows how to organise 'pay-to-play'
1
Just because it's legal to be greedy and immoral and careless doesn't mean you have to do it.
19
Unless you're Hillary Clinton, in which case it's fine, and everyone who objects is just a misogynist.
4
Exactly. And in Trump's case there are the other aspects such stiffing contractors, students at Trump University, partners at Casinos and on and on. It forms a consistent pattern of 'me, me, me'.
2
How DARE that man create all those jobs! Doesn't he know that we are re-creating the Soviet Union here already?
We Democrats have to make all workers dependent clients of the Central State and jobs paying huge sums are going against everything Saul Alinsky ever taught Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
This is why you were never supposed to gain access to the things both of them wrote while in college.
We Democrats have to make all workers dependent clients of the Central State and jobs paying huge sums are going against everything Saul Alinsky ever taught Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
This is why you were never supposed to gain access to the things both of them wrote while in college.
6
I'm sorry but this article does not seem to discuss the scope of Job Creation from Mr. Trump's construction projects. If you want to argue why a general tax break would benefit business and job creation, sure I get that. But this was neither here nor there. I mean, at that amount of money, city revenue generated from the projects could have gone to city services and infrastructure. If this had been made available to public administrators, many primary and secondary jobs would have been created. I don't know whether which would have been more, because I am no economist, but I can say that Mr. Trump in his business life has a track record for abusing the visa program in our country. Here we can see that Mr. Trump prefers to create jobs, but when it is left in his hands the jobs don't go to American (or local for that matter) citizens.
I recommend in the future to comment on the content of the article, because arguing candidates doesn't raise the current state of debate in America. We need scrutinize all politicians and administrators to a healthy degree to get passed our own perceptions to really see what is best for everybody. We'll find that when we fight for and against ideas and policies, that it is much more concrete and productive for government. When we do that, and let our leaders know, we can follow through with our Founding Father's intent.
In this article, Trump cost the NYC taxpayer money for things they did not get to decide. That isn't democracy.
I recommend in the future to comment on the content of the article, because arguing candidates doesn't raise the current state of debate in America. We need scrutinize all politicians and administrators to a healthy degree to get passed our own perceptions to really see what is best for everybody. We'll find that when we fight for and against ideas and policies, that it is much more concrete and productive for government. When we do that, and let our leaders know, we can follow through with our Founding Father's intent.
In this article, Trump cost the NYC taxpayer money for things they did not get to decide. That isn't democracy.
9
The evidence is in. Over recent and long-term history, many more jobs are created under Democrats than Republicans.
Be careful: Trump's buddying with Trump and significant financial obligation to Putin's oligarchs are not good.
Tax cuts for the rich result in looting and hoarding.
Incomes at the top skyrocketed; middle and low-paying jobs have remained stagnant.
Top taxes under Eisenhower were 91%; the economy did very well.
Meanwhile: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/29/deutsche-banks-10-billion-s...
"about a billion and a half dollars had arrived, unrecorded, in London every month; “a good chunk” of it was from Russia. “At its most extreme ... the unrecorded capital flight from Moscow included “criminal activity such as tax evasion and money laundering.”"
"Whatever the outcome of the various investigations into mirror trades, the bank is in trouble. It lost seven and a half billion dollars last year. ... Britain’s recent decision to leave the E.U. has imperilled Deutsche Bank even further."
"Meanwhile, unlike many other Wall Street lenders, Deutsche Bank continues to loan millions of dollars to businesses associated with Donald Trump. When the Times questioned Trump recently about his credentials on Wall Street, he said that a private wealth manager at Deutsche Bank, Rosemary Vrablic, could vouch for him.""
"Deutsche Bank ... “one of the most important net contributors to systemic risks in the global banking system”; it was also a contagious agent"
Be careful: Trump's buddying with Trump and significant financial obligation to Putin's oligarchs are not good.
Tax cuts for the rich result in looting and hoarding.
Incomes at the top skyrocketed; middle and low-paying jobs have remained stagnant.
Top taxes under Eisenhower were 91%; the economy did very well.
Meanwhile: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/29/deutsche-banks-10-billion-s...
"about a billion and a half dollars had arrived, unrecorded, in London every month; “a good chunk” of it was from Russia. “At its most extreme ... the unrecorded capital flight from Moscow included “criminal activity such as tax evasion and money laundering.”"
"Whatever the outcome of the various investigations into mirror trades, the bank is in trouble. It lost seven and a half billion dollars last year. ... Britain’s recent decision to leave the E.U. has imperilled Deutsche Bank even further."
"Meanwhile, unlike many other Wall Street lenders, Deutsche Bank continues to loan millions of dollars to businesses associated with Donald Trump. When the Times questioned Trump recently about his credentials on Wall Street, he said that a private wealth manager at Deutsche Bank, Rosemary Vrablic, could vouch for him.""
"Deutsche Bank ... “one of the most important net contributors to systemic risks in the global banking system”; it was also a contagious agent"
6
Another sick example of privatize the profits and socialize the risks. Since when did the taxpayer have to be so on the hook to save stupid greedy.
23
“But there never was a quid pro quo.”
Apparently, Trumps don't understand the definitions of 'quid pro quo' any better than 'blind trust'.
But, they understand a way to get over.
Apparently, Trumps don't understand the definitions of 'quid pro quo' any better than 'blind trust'.
But, they understand a way to get over.
13
We SO look to reading future exposes on others who have taken advantage of such tax breaks!
5
It is an insufficiently recalled fact that the administration of Mayor Ed Koch did the people of New York City a grave disservice in awarding these kinds of "tax breaks" (really nothing but ill-advised giveaways) to a number of real estate developers during his tenure. This horrendous policy did no good whatsoever for the people of this great city, and makes him one of the worst mayors New York has ever had.
8
I disagree completely- the subsidies and strategies employed by Mayor Koch turned around NYs fate
6
A forty-year subsidy is not what I would call a turn-around incentive. A land lease for a buck a year for 40 years doesn't come without strings attached.
6
So, Trump is a businessman who takes advantage of tax relief and bankruptcy laws to make millions. Are these the accomplishments that would make him a good President?
9
It shows he can find advantageous solutions. Outstanding
5
Trump's advantageous solutions benefit only himself, often to the ruin of others. The office of the President in the US, historically, has not been a position that can be used to enrich oneself, So, really, it's not a good match.
8
I am ashamed so many of my fellow Americans are so ignorant on how things get done in our country. Trump has simply legally used the system and taken risks other would not take. I think so many of you who write here just take home a check every two weeks from an employer and have little or no idea what entrepreneurs do that have created so much of what you enjoy, such as the stadium in which you may have watched a professional football game this weekend.
10
Nope. He cheated and bullied and lied, twisted arms. stiffed working stiffs, welshed on debts, used the courts, and is now in hock to a bunch of Putin's wealthy buddies. Not your run of the mill public servant.
12
@Chuck: Ah, the good life in Key West, right? I guess you don't "take home a check from an employer" (which, by the way, is known as "earning one's living - the paycheck isn't charity, as you seem to think). You sound like one of those entrepreneurs you are touting. I wonder what you've "created" and who/what you took advantage of to achieve that?
Trump has "created" nothing other than the ILLUSION that he is a success. If not for his father's $$$, and his & his father's shameless racism and hucksterism, Trump would be just one more badly-educated jerk in a sea of badly-educated jerks.
He's a con artist, and maybe you admire him so much because he reminds you of yourself or of what you wished to be. Most of us don't admire con artists, though! And frankly, I don't go to or watch professional sports, so that's a big zero in my book.
Trump has "created" nothing other than the ILLUSION that he is a success. If not for his father's $$$, and his & his father's shameless racism and hucksterism, Trump would be just one more badly-educated jerk in a sea of badly-educated jerks.
He's a con artist, and maybe you admire him so much because he reminds you of yourself or of what you wished to be. Most of us don't admire con artists, though! And frankly, I don't go to or watch professional sports, so that's a big zero in my book.
4
Cheated, no. Bullied, probably. Lied, maybe little white lies to get things done. Stiffed working people, no. Welshed on debts, no. Used the courts, yes. In debt to Putin's wealthy buddies, no. No your run of the mill public servant, no. Was not a public servant. You and most who write here are blinded by your ignorance and hatred for an entrepreneur, something you people obvious are/were not and have no understanding of. Trump was a businessman, not a public servant. I am a retired entrepreneur, a hotel developer part of my career. Go pick up your safe, little paycheck written by companies started by entrepreneurs.
2
NYC offered extensive tax breaks because it was the only way to get development in the city. The liberals had raised taxes so high, nothing could be built otherwise.
The editors of the NY Times have a very strange position here. They cheered the tax breaks and the many projects Trump built using the tax breaks, but now their prime consideration is the defeat his political candidacy. So they are strangely acting as if he did something wrong to help the city climb out of its long time squalor of the 1960s-1970s.
It's clear to anyone who followed this over several decades that Trump is a real hero. He is one of the premier developers in New York, NY....and one of the greatest developers in the world!
The editors of the NY Times have a very strange position here. They cheered the tax breaks and the many projects Trump built using the tax breaks, but now their prime consideration is the defeat his political candidacy. So they are strangely acting as if he did something wrong to help the city climb out of its long time squalor of the 1960s-1970s.
It's clear to anyone who followed this over several decades that Trump is a real hero. He is one of the premier developers in New York, NY....and one of the greatest developers in the world!
15
Well said, thank you.
2
"the city’s auditor general at the time, found that Mr. Trump and Hyatt owed the city $2.9 million for 1986, having used “aberrant and distortive” accounting methods to reduce their obligation." .... “subsidized by city residents,”
And therein lies the problem with all of Trump's deals. He developed to enrich himself, cooked the books and contributed little to nothing to New Yorker's standard of living despite being subsidized by their taxes. Not to forgot all the contractors and workers he didn't pay or low-balled them, some to penury, with threats.
And therein lies the problem with all of Trump's deals. He developed to enrich himself, cooked the books and contributed little to nothing to New Yorker's standard of living despite being subsidized by their taxes. Not to forgot all the contractors and workers he didn't pay or low-balled them, some to penury, with threats.
14
Trump inherited a real estate fortune made by his father, the man who built the Tower. The Tower is held in trust. Trump's real estate holdings are mired in debt. He has sought and been refused loans by American and European banks; he has gotten his loans from Russian oligarchs in London, those who absconded with funds from Russia. The fact is that Trump refused to pay American contractors for work done on the sleazy excuse that the work was "inferior" or "incomplete". Trump U was a scam which cost poor people $35,000 each for a bogus degree; he managed to get rid of a Trump U investigation in Florida by donating $25,000 to an election campaign for the AG, Bondi. I don't want him in the White House offering the guest bedroom to Putin for a sleep over. I don't want him with the power to declare war against another country if he feels insulted by their leader. Wars are not started on the basis of insults; wars are governed by the laws of self-defense. Iran has "insulted" us? How about the Israelis who sent Netanyahu over here to insult the President when invited to address the U.S. Congress? We have been at war for decades; we have bridges rusting and falling down; we have young people who cannot get a free college education; we have a crippled health care system; we have corporations funding campaigns for demagogues due to Scalia's Citizens United ruling, as in "corporations are people". Now, we have a demagogue running to continue this process.
9
No mention by Mr. Bali of the "tax break" received by the NYT... How strange... Ah, well, just an innoncent mistake, I assume. Surely not an intentionial omission....
14
Stepping back a little, I would like to ask the New York Times why they are continually giving Mr. Trump so much coverage, certainly much more than his Democratic opponent. Might I humbly suggest that all this coverage legitimizes his efforts and should he succeed in his attempt to become President the newspaper might be able to say that they have contributed to his effort. Whilst I appreciate a free press, I feel as if this lack of equivalence by this newspaper is only destabilizing an already unstable politics all season.
9
Why do cities such as my city of San Francisco and New York and Detroit insist on offering developers tax breaks when they would still reap profits without them?
5
Because they wouldn't.
5
@Nobis: Said the person from Cleveland, who of course is an expert in these matters.
Whereas @Roland's point is very well made - and it would be nice if the jerks who run NYC found their spines and said "Hey, NYC is a great place. Build here or don't, but we're not paying you to do it. NYC is great and will be great without you. You're lucky if you are allowed to build here at all."
Whereas @Roland's point is very well made - and it would be nice if the jerks who run NYC found their spines and said "Hey, NYC is a great place. Build here or don't, but we're not paying you to do it. NYC is great and will be great without you. You're lucky if you are allowed to build here at all."
3
Oh, you got me there! Nobody in Cleveland knows anything about business.
NY Times, please tell me what the point of this article is other than a wordy Trump hit piece? It's not shocking that Trump took advantage of tax breaks. What is shocking is the sheer quantity of NY Times hissy fit Trump bashing articles.
11
Gee! Don't see it as illegal. Just following the laws designed to promote business. Not quite like unlawful email use. Seems to me someone who builds something tangible is preferable to someone who only builds lies.
10
Fantastic to know that all the political contributions received by candidates from mayors to the federal officials are not for some favorable consideration, that various foundations, charities, newspapers, cable companies, etc are operating free of tax benefits, that the ruling class takes no advantage of tax breaks and lastly all tax benefits will be eliminated by the next president and finally that all contributions, Super PACs, will be charged a ten percent gift tax payable by the associated contributors.
2
"After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Mr. Trump lined up a $150,000 grant for one of his buildings near ground zero, taking advantage of a program to help small businesses in the area recover, even though he had acknowledged on the day of the attacks that his building was undamaged."
I received a small amount of dollars towards rent because I lived/worked near the Twin Towers - I had to pay tax on it! Coverage for verified loss of work or small business recovery was denied as were monies for documented fixtures and fittings ruined by black smoke.
However, I did receive a vacuum cleaner!
I received a small amount of dollars towards rent because I lived/worked near the Twin Towers - I had to pay tax on it! Coverage for verified loss of work or small business recovery was denied as were monies for documented fixtures and fittings ruined by black smoke.
However, I did receive a vacuum cleaner!
14
I don't know how much more of this I can read. I am heart sick that this dangerous buffoon has advanced so far. I am ashamed of my fellow Americans.
25
The government offers tax breaks to builders, but you want to contend that Trump is all kinds of evil because he took advantage of government programs. That seems to be backwards logic.
9
Why are we mad at Donald Trump? Shouldn't we be upset with the politicians that allowed this deal to happen? Who wouldn't take a 40 year tax break worth over $300M?
11
Tax breaks are not losses to the City. We need to examine the benefit derived from the projects that received tax breaks and the likelihood that those benefits would exist absent the tax break. Don't the editors of this paper understand that? Or was this article written by an over-zealous Hillary supporter? Or both?
7
This is not an important story because Trump will just be proud of how clever he is in getting breaks. Much better was the Newsweek story of his dangerous global ties through his business that will create at the very least huge conflicts of interest, and at worst real security breaches. You people didn't pick up on that at all and as usual are just giving him the usual shameful half dozen stories a day that only help him.
18
Mr Drump has his tiny little fingers on every single government handout , what a typical republican .
18
I love all the posters who believe this article shows Mr. Trump is a good businessman who knows how to negotiate. The government is them, not us. Even overlooking the 911 scam, on his tax deals he didn't just negotiate, he sued and appealed and sued some more. Thousands of times. And who has the better lawyers? A small contractor, a strapped city or county or the born millionaire? Rigged is right. If he achieves the Presidency at least we know he'll create a lot more jobs for lawyers.
17
If you're alarmed by Don the Con's presidency presidential candidacy, you can thank your teachers for helping you to develop critical thinking skills.
18
So there were tax breaks available to real estate developers willing to take a risk on what was then a very dodgy neighborhood, and Trump availed himself of them, contributed to the clean up of the neighborhood, and created jobs and revenue for the City. Why, exactly, is the NYT upset?
Would it be better if the building was boarded up and used as a crack house?? Or is anyone so naive as to think that any business person would make that kind of risky investment without any incentives from the City?
Would it be better if the building was boarded up and used as a crack house?? Or is anyone so naive as to think that any business person would make that kind of risky investment without any incentives from the City?
10
@I: It is sooooo obvious that you do not live in NYC nor do you understand anything about NYC. "Risky investment," HA!
Only when the developers go hat-in-hand to get theirs from the public trough is anything deemed "risky" - if it were REALLY risky, developers wouldn't touch it.
Only when the developers go hat-in-hand to get theirs from the public trough is anything deemed "risky" - if it were REALLY risky, developers wouldn't touch it.
1
Don't forget the "sacrifices" Trump has made for the country. As he said in answer to Mr. Kahn, “I think I’ve made a lot of sacrifices. I work very, very hard. I’ve created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs.” He thinks that's sacrifice. Don and his VP running mate claim he has given away "tens of millions" to charity. Of course he offers no proof, since he's hiding his tax returns and refuses to provide a list of donations. He didn't even give the million he promised to give veterans during his campaign stunt with the phony veterans' group until the press coverage got too hot. The Washington Post contacted 100's of charities Trump has ties to and found that he has given one charitable gift between $5K to 10K since 2008. His foundation has survived since 2008 by giving away other people's money, some of which went to illegally bribe the Florida AG and to buy a 6' portrait of himself. After the Washington Post uncovered his charitable fraud and lies about his giving, Don's campaign cancelled their press credentials to cover his events. As the Post reported, Don pushed his products and his books by claiming he would donate all proceeds to charity, and then kept more than half for himself. The Post reported "In the 1980s, Trump pledged to give away royalties from his first book to fight AIDS and multiple sclerosis. But he gave less to those causes than he did to his older daughter’s ballet school." They don't call him Don the Con for nothing.
21
The "poorly educated" love tRump because they admire TYV personalities who are crass and say strong things against women and foreigners.
Truth be told -- the poorly educated would be better off if they understood who and what tRump is: a greedy businessman who stiffs his workers and uses massive tax breaks to further his personal enterprises -- all at the expense of 'the rubes' that find him enamoring.
I mean, he has gold-plated toilet seats in his "tower" where he lives. Man of the people? Indeed.
Truth be told -- the poorly educated would be better off if they understood who and what tRump is: a greedy businessman who stiffs his workers and uses massive tax breaks to further his personal enterprises -- all at the expense of 'the rubes' that find him enamoring.
I mean, he has gold-plated toilet seats in his "tower" where he lives. Man of the people? Indeed.
20
Trump apologists need a bigger wand for this kind of chicanery. No amount of slight-of-hand will cover these Trumpian messes now that they've been brought into bright light. Trump claims all kinds of benefits accrued to those who do business with them, but he's bamboozled multiple City administrations without benefit to anyone but himself.
These kinds of swindles are what we should expect from a (God forbid) Trump presidency. Instead of hundreds of millions in public money lining Donald J. Trump's pockets, it will be hundreds of billions. Dick Cheney's Halliburton will prove to be small time swindlers compared to what Trump will do.
These kinds of swindles are what we should expect from a (God forbid) Trump presidency. Instead of hundreds of millions in public money lining Donald J. Trump's pockets, it will be hundreds of billions. Dick Cheney's Halliburton will prove to be small time swindlers compared to what Trump will do.
20
It feels strange to say this, but this election I'm voting for either Trump the person or Hillary the person, not Trump the businessman nor Hillary the politician. I purposely try to ignore articles like this one, and anything similar about Hillary's political misgivings. That would be like trying to figure out - should I go to Walgreen, or should I cross the street to the CVS, while in fact there isn't an alternative for 10 miles radius. The same concept for should I go to Lowe's, or should I drive 1 block for Home Depot? The prices are the same, as the selections, just different logo colors with the same smiles and greetings in every isle. This is how the market dominates, and the political machinery operates on a similar concepts nowadays. Two wrongs do make a right here.
This guy is a "flimflam" man of the highest caliber - whether he becomes President or not, he will be remembered for having "conned" millions of Americans! What does that say about us?
20
Sadly, not much.
8
We learned that Trump doesn't like to pay taxes? Big whip! Who does? The less educated among us and self hating liberals.
3
It's more than he doesn't like to pay taxes. If you know anything about the 423-a abatements, especially those granted to help small businesses recover after 9-11, each time Donald Trump was USING government and taxpayers dollars to "rebuild" his building that wasn't even damaged or using taxpayer dollars -- your dollars not his -- to build apartments that pushed out NYC taxpayers who would never be able to afford those apartments while he fought the idea of adding low to middle income allotments. So people, making a pittance next to his income, were paying a HIGHER tax rate than he was or probably ever has. The quote in the article is right: most average Americans making middle class wages were paying a higher tax rate than former VP Dick Cheney when he was in office. Under these long and continued tax abatement deals, 90% of the average American people who plan to vote for Trump pay 90-100% more in taxes than he does. That goes against everything he's been saying to his followers. He cares about one thing -- himself. We know why he doesn't release his tax returns. They will show he hasn't paid taxes for years. This article spells it out clearly.
19
Ok. He doesn't like to pay taxes, but he enjoys all of the following funded by the rest of us, OUR tax dollars NOT HIS:
His Secret Service protection, the police that protects him at his rallies, the highways he rides his limousines on, the airports he lands his Trump planes on, the air traffic controllers for guide his planes, our firemen, our teachers, our military to protect the country, etc.;
and were he to be elected, the salary he would be paid, the White House and its staff, Air Force One, the whole government he would be in charge of....
Nice to get a lot of things and not pay for them.
Let us all follow Donald's examples and pay ZERO taxes. Goodbye America then!
His Secret Service protection, the police that protects him at his rallies, the highways he rides his limousines on, the airports he lands his Trump planes on, the air traffic controllers for guide his planes, our firemen, our teachers, our military to protect the country, etc.;
and were he to be elected, the salary he would be paid, the White House and its staff, Air Force One, the whole government he would be in charge of....
Nice to get a lot of things and not pay for them.
Let us all follow Donald's examples and pay ZERO taxes. Goodbye America then!
13
Ms. Helmsley said, paying taxes is for losers. The Drumpf creed also.
1
It doesn't matter how much evidence exists that Trump is a slime ball. If the public believes his false claims that he will provide jobs, lower taxes, basically improve your way of life, the public will vote for him . It's simple, it comes down to $$ and all valid arguments about his unsavory character will fall on deaf ears. This could be a disaster for our country.
16
Sounds like New Yorkers are stupid. The guy repeatedly wins in court. Does what Durst, and all other NYC developers do. Good for him and good for US. All in public unlike the Liar Hillary who makes tax free $ with her foundation.
5
The Clintons do NOT receive any tax-free money from their foundation. Nor do they receive any taxable money from their foundation. Give us the source of your information - Limbaugh, Breitbart?
11
For all the people who are saying he's just taken advantage of legal tax breaks, and that's what businesses and cities do -- the point is that he's spun this narrative of how his opponent is an insider who gets breaks, while he is outside the establishment and successful because of his hard work and skill. If he's really successful because of his inside connections and his daddy's money and connections, that's just a lie (one of how many others from him?). And the last tax returns we have from him show him paying no taxes at all, so he's definitely a taker who doesn't even pay it forward.
14
Who knew real estate developers, investors and owners get tax breaks?
Really great investigative journalism.
Now, how about telling people something we don'y already know.
Politicians use their power over the tax system to reward shape our lives in many ways.
Personally I favor flat taxes where everyone pays the same rate - no exceptions.
Take decisions about tax breaks out of the hands of politicians.
Really great investigative journalism.
Now, how about telling people something we don'y already know.
Politicians use their power over the tax system to reward shape our lives in many ways.
Personally I favor flat taxes where everyone pays the same rate - no exceptions.
Take decisions about tax breaks out of the hands of politicians.
1
>After the terrorist attacks... Mr. Trump lined up a $150,000 grant for one of his buildings near ground zero, taking advantage of a program to help small businesses in the area recover...<
I knew he had small hands, etc. I didn't know he was a small businessman.
I knew he had small hands, etc. I didn't know he was a small businessman.
10
He has short, stubby fingers. His palm is normal size.
4
And he has a very, very minuscule conscience. You'd need an electron microscope to find his conscience.
2
Trump pays no taxes at all that is shy he won't show his tax returns.
He is a taker not a giver, always was will always be.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/business/how-much-does-donald-trump-pa...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
He is a taker not a giver, always was will always be.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/business/how-much-does-donald-trump-pa...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
9
“It is disqualifying for a modern-day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters,” Mitt Romney recently said.
I agree.
I agree.
12
I feel like I live in backwards world. We're supposed to believe Trump despite NO tax reurns, but suspect Clinton with all of hers out in public?
Trump's long record of skirting the law through money and connections, documented in thousands of lawsuits, is just "good business."
The Clintons have been investigated by political enemies for fo decades with NO proof of corruption, but no, she can't possibly be *innocent* of *anything* --she's just better at hiding it! How can you argue with ideas cast in diamond, where no contradictory fact can penetrate?
Trump makes vague simplistic proclamations for followers to "translate" as they choose. Brilliant! Clinton offers thoughtful solutions and avoids overpromising. It's seen as "evasive" "dishonest" or "rehearsed." The press explores no further.
Donald flies home to his bed every night, and objects to a debate over 2 hours. He's high-energy! Clinton handles a hostile 10-hour grilling and tries to work through walking pneumonia. On, no, she's practically dead!
Trump bellows slurs and bigotry to cheering crowds and the delight of "alt-right" buddies. He's just tired of PC nonsense! Clinton speaks of inclusion, acceptance, welcome, and lifting up. But "she only cares about herself."
Clinton's not perfect; no one is. But what happened to us, that we turn reality upside down, jettison logic for conspiracy, and substitute feelings for facts? Fear and passion may be great engines, but they are lousy advisors.
Trump's long record of skirting the law through money and connections, documented in thousands of lawsuits, is just "good business."
The Clintons have been investigated by political enemies for fo decades with NO proof of corruption, but no, she can't possibly be *innocent* of *anything* --she's just better at hiding it! How can you argue with ideas cast in diamond, where no contradictory fact can penetrate?
Trump makes vague simplistic proclamations for followers to "translate" as they choose. Brilliant! Clinton offers thoughtful solutions and avoids overpromising. It's seen as "evasive" "dishonest" or "rehearsed." The press explores no further.
Donald flies home to his bed every night, and objects to a debate over 2 hours. He's high-energy! Clinton handles a hostile 10-hour grilling and tries to work through walking pneumonia. On, no, she's practically dead!
Trump bellows slurs and bigotry to cheering crowds and the delight of "alt-right" buddies. He's just tired of PC nonsense! Clinton speaks of inclusion, acceptance, welcome, and lifting up. But "she only cares about herself."
Clinton's not perfect; no one is. But what happened to us, that we turn reality upside down, jettison logic for conspiracy, and substitute feelings for facts? Fear and passion may be great engines, but they are lousy advisors.
33
The US media evidently feels an obligation to tilt the playing field in favor of idiots and psychopaths.
8
New England you mean?
I for one am much more interested in what Clinton said to Goldman Sachs, for which they paid her many many bucks, than what Trump's accountants said to the IRS for which they maybe are auditing him.
If we're guessing, I would guess that Trump didn't pay any more taxes than he was legally required to. Since I'm very far from the Clinton/Goldman Sachs/possible Presidency loop, I would expect to learn something substantial about Clinton's attitudes toward the big money Masters of the Universe.
I for one am much more interested in what Clinton said to Goldman Sachs, for which they paid her many many bucks, than what Trump's accountants said to the IRS for which they maybe are auditing him.
If we're guessing, I would guess that Trump didn't pay any more taxes than he was legally required to. Since I'm very far from the Clinton/Goldman Sachs/possible Presidency loop, I would expect to learn something substantial about Clinton's attitudes toward the big money Masters of the Universe.
3
All those "disreputables" you mean, Mr. Bolger?
1
It seems that he's also arguing that he shouldn't have to pay any tax on the new Trump hotel in D.C. because the Federal Government owns the land (it's the old Post Office, he has a lease).
D.C. law says that he has to pay but he is not going without a fight.
D.C. law says that he has to pay but he is not going without a fight.
7
Nothing will change the minds of the Trumpians. When our country collapses during Don the Con's presidency, they will be dancing around the bonfires.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Stupid is as stupid does.
14
Just one question for obviously ignorant Democrats: just why do you think government gives these tax breaks to developers like Trump. Think about it...it won't hurt your brain too much.
4
Because it's the system....palms greased, etc......I need to get re-elected. You're going to say "It's good for the economy" "It creates jobs" "It's freedom..market decides..capitalism at its best" Just like sports arenas paid for by the pro schlubs so Titans of Industry can have tax deductible sky boxes and the average joe can't afford a ticket and a beer.
4
Pops: Government gives these tax breaks because guys like Don the Con give crooked politicians money. He has bragged about buying politicians. He sometimes even uses his "charitable foundation" to buy them and then he tries to cover the donation up by lying to the government and saying he gave the money to a real charity. If he's elected President, he says his kids will run his businesses that span the world with partners and financiers and even some criminals in many other countries. No conflict there according to Don the Con.
9
Because real estate developers control most, if not all, of the state legislatures in the US.
9
Is this legal? Well, yes, if he can get away with it in the courts, an American capatilist like Trump can walk away with it all. Okay, I get that. But take a moment to stand Trump up side by side with other Americans like Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King, and Rosa Parks, people who spend entire lives making our great society better, and ask different question: Is this us?
9
My daddy was a very wise man and once told me that the rich don't give their money away unless there is something in it for them. That could be in the form of tax breaks or getting a quid pro quo from a person in power. This is true for the Clinton's and Trumps today as it was for the Rockefeller's back in the day.
1
We won't know until The Donald releases his tax returns, will we? In the meantime I'll place my bests on Hillary.
19
The Rockefellers? That family from Theodore to Franklin to Eleanor gave so much of themselves as public servants (police chief, local and state reps) to establishing charity organizations that still exist today. And many of those came from their own money and hard work. Even today, the current generation of Rockefellers give generously to many of the same causes: open, protected lands for ALL to use & enjoy, The Children's Aid Society, etc.
3
Teddy, Franklin and Eleanor were Roosevelts, not Rockefellers.
2
Trump is a brilliant negotiator. Articles like these are free campaign ads.
13
Shamelessly using tax laws to build personal wealth off the the middle class and working poor is an example of negotiation, "brilliant" or otherwise?
How does that work?
How does that work?
4
All con man tend to be brilliant negotiators. They're also thieves.
22
Let's see how he negotiates with world leaders...like his man-crush Putin.
8
Trump a slum lord,a crook, and a bigot. He uses other people and other poeople's money. His concerns are for himself. Unfortunately these are his good points. If, God foirbid, he wins in November he will continue to line his obese pockets with our money and do nothing for the good of the country.
17
And he doesn't even give his own money to charity. In a Ponzi-like scheme, he uses money that other people have donated to a charity he created and passes it off as his own. How low can he get? Using taxpayer money to pay for his high rises, paying a tax rate far lower than most everyone who plans to vote for him (like someone making $50,000 or less) and passing off other people's authentic charitable giving as his own. That's a low human being.
5
I swear, we must be one of the stupidest or foolish nations, if this is truly surprising people. We were founded on the principle that nothing was more sacred than the accumulation of private property. Not that we should be too hard on ourselves. It's not like we are the Philippines or Russia. Even the Soviet Union sunk into corruption and they were founded on communist principles for God's sake.
5
Thank you Mr. Bagli and your editors.
A message to Trump's supporters: Leopards don't change their spots, and a greedy 70 yr-old man motivated purely by money, power and fame, to the point of defrauding the government, his investors and taxpaying citizens as demonstrated by this piece, will not, on the day he is sworn into office miraculously transform into someone wholly motivated by service to Americans, whether they previously supported him or not.
Now, I can worry less about Trump and more about Pence. Let's face it: if Trump wins this election he will continue to deliver his predatory, very personal brand of corrupt and illegal behavior, and God willing, he will be impeached before Mr. Bagli and the Time Editorial Board are imprisoned or deported!
A message to Trump's supporters: Leopards don't change their spots, and a greedy 70 yr-old man motivated purely by money, power and fame, to the point of defrauding the government, his investors and taxpaying citizens as demonstrated by this piece, will not, on the day he is sworn into office miraculously transform into someone wholly motivated by service to Americans, whether they previously supported him or not.
Now, I can worry less about Trump and more about Pence. Let's face it: if Trump wins this election he will continue to deliver his predatory, very personal brand of corrupt and illegal behavior, and God willing, he will be impeached before Mr. Bagli and the Time Editorial Board are imprisoned or deported!
10
Under Governor Andrew Cuomo New York State has been reducing taxes in order to attract businesses to the State.
Should we vote against him and the other incumbents when they run in two years on account of this?
Should we vote against him and the other incumbents when they run in two years on account of this?
4
Depends on what NY State residents get in return. With Trump that's obvious: nothing. No jobs, no housing, no payments if they happened to contract with him... If the Cuomo tax breaks also don't deliver, yes, by all means vote him out for a better candidate.
5
Why isn't he in jail instead of running for president?
10
What did he do that was illegal? Take advantage of programs that both Democrats and Republicans concocted?
4
Show of hands, who voluntarily pays more taxes than they need to?
12
Not paying taxes is a sport in Trump's country club. They'll spend more on lawyers and accountants to avoid taxes than it would cost them to pay the taxes.
3
Sounds like that's a "no" from Steve.
5
This article details the wrongdoing as though D.J.T. had been the only perpetrator in the country to do that.
His tax breaks case is far from unique. There is almost no capital that does not “use extensive political connections... ” to boost their bottom lines. Besides, the whole socio-economic system was set up to accommodate capital with tax advantages, benefits, breaks and shelters. It is never bombast to holler about capital’s not paying taxes let alone fair shares. Capital hegemony has bid its governing class or the establishment and its ineffectual bumblers in governments churn out all kinds of laws and regulations of tax loopholes. If one had the chance to read tax returns of the sanctimonious, rude and authoritarian capital personified, one would be indignant at how little taxes they actually pay. In addition to D.J.T.’s, all other multimillionaire & billionaires’ tax returns should be made public for democratic examination, supervision and control of capital’s obligation of tax.
The tax and spending policies of the government is so severely bereft of reason/justice that it’s openly aided and abetted the capital evil-doers to hold the pass to corporation, property and sales taxes that take a larger percentage of income from the poor than the rich and the spending policies of the government are primarily beneficial to the rich, increasing inequality for good and all. The establishment makes a mock of D.J.T. as a protective barrage for capital at large.
His tax breaks case is far from unique. There is almost no capital that does not “use extensive political connections... ” to boost their bottom lines. Besides, the whole socio-economic system was set up to accommodate capital with tax advantages, benefits, breaks and shelters. It is never bombast to holler about capital’s not paying taxes let alone fair shares. Capital hegemony has bid its governing class or the establishment and its ineffectual bumblers in governments churn out all kinds of laws and regulations of tax loopholes. If one had the chance to read tax returns of the sanctimonious, rude and authoritarian capital personified, one would be indignant at how little taxes they actually pay. In addition to D.J.T.’s, all other multimillionaire & billionaires’ tax returns should be made public for democratic examination, supervision and control of capital’s obligation of tax.
The tax and spending policies of the government is so severely bereft of reason/justice that it’s openly aided and abetted the capital evil-doers to hold the pass to corporation, property and sales taxes that take a larger percentage of income from the poor than the rich and the spending policies of the government are primarily beneficial to the rich, increasing inequality for good and all. The establishment makes a mock of D.J.T. as a protective barrage for capital at large.
2
Donald Trump's empire has been responsible for employing many people who have profited nicely from these legal business dealings. He was responsible for creating many jobs when unemployment numbers were high. He should be given credit for this.
6
He employed/employs low-wage foreign workers and contractors he didn't pay.
7
And none of the simpleton's supporting him will ever read this, or know it, or care.
We all know, so much about this person, but they just want baseball caps with the word 'great' on them - and he has that.
We all know, so much about this person, but they just want baseball caps with the word 'great' on them - and he has that.
7
While we're name-calling, how about all the deplorables who will vote for Clinton only because she is a woman - as was reported in yesterday's Times? How about the deplorables who ignore her constant history of lying, lies that are easily proven to be lies, starting with "ducking sniper fire in Kosovo" right up to "I'm feeling fine - it's a beautiful day in New York."
6
Many of Clintons voters are voting for her based on gender alone. A textbook example of proud sexism if ever there was one.
6
Not me. I like my Cubs hat....
sounds like it could also be done legally by others so he is a sharp dealer. what else is new?
7
At least he wasn't raising huge sums of money through using a government job and the contacts and poltical clout it provided. That's what's ethically repulsive and actually illegal. But the NYT won't write about that. Nope, it won't happen. It's not "news worthy" for the NYT.
5
So that's where the bar is set? *Atleast* he wasn't a politician when he did it! That doesn't make it okay.
1
His book title ought to be "Trump: The Art of the Steal". Greed may be good for business, but not for our highest elected civil servant. Please don't let him steal this election, folks.
8
These laws that allow this are written by people with money and leverage It's really underground welfare accessible only to those who can afford the membership fee and know the 'right' people. Same for people making millions who pay little to nothing in taxes. The salaried masses who have taxes taken out of their check pay the overhead expenses for the country and contribute to this welfare for the rich.
Ever wonder why NYC has the infrastructure of a developing country and worse.
Ever wonder why NYC has the infrastructure of a developing country and worse.
4
Actually, the rich pay the vast majority of our taxes. I didn't believe it either, but it's true. Information available at the CBO.
4
But how much of it is given back in other ways? It's a very long, complicated equation from the first payment to the final tally and a definitive answer as to how much they do actually contribute.
There are far more troubling details about Donald Trump and his business practices––Trump "University" and his donations to AGs who were investigating it; his company's penchant for not paying its bills; his foundation that he donates $0 to––that warrant investigating. But the Times runs a front page story about how he took advantage of legal tax breaks to make his fortune? Come on, Times. You're falling down on the job.
11
"tax breaks' is a cheap shot. If they are available everyone should use them.
I don't like 'cheap shots'!
I don't like 'cheap shots'!
5
I guess you can call this The Trump Book of Revelation. If nothing else we now know that new laws and scrutiny is required. I don't know what will "Wake Up America" but I hope this revelation will at last bring them out of the dream state. Thanks!
6
Dear Maggie .... It's becoming very clear that these revelations are firmly ignored by Trump supporters..
They Just Dont Care .... Trump is gonna save their world!
They Just Dont Care .... Trump is gonna save their world!
6
Trump is, was and will continue to be a terrible businessman. He is successful only in promoting his brand and convincing people that his name is gold-plated and he is a savvy wheeler dealer. He is not. He was born with a gold-plated spoon in his mouth. He is a bully, an uncouth narcissist, a bloviating jerk. We New Yorker's who know him best like him the least. He has spent a career of sucking people into his schemes, made money off the them, like a vulture picked their bones for all they were worth, and then deserted them, moving on to other naive prey who still believed his hogwash. Trump is pulling the same scheme in politics he has for all these years in business. He hasn't helped anyone except himself. He is a charlatan and has no idea how government operates. He is a scourge who should be put down come November 8th. The closer he gets to the Oval Office the more you will see people coming out in droves to support Hillary. Trump is one scary creepy individual, not worth risking the prosperity of the US for. Trump lies come so naturally people think he means what he says. In reality, he has expressed nothing but disdain for the average American. He has said he believes they are so dumb he could them to vote for him, and he has. Now who looks foolish?
DD
Manhattan
DD
Manhattan
13
Such venin. Such hate. I thought libs were about peace and love?
4
You looked at the comments section of Breitbart News lately? Makes any expressed feelings of libs look mighty tame by comparison. And don't forget that BN is the engine of Trump Message
3
Dear Steve:
I believe you meant "venom? Au contraire, sorry to disappoint, no venom, no hate. I leave the hate mongering to Trump supporters who seem to have an amazingly massive supply of deplorable things to throw at Hillary. No, for moi, I prefer to stick to what the candidates do and say. As good old Joe Friday used to say, just the facts, ma'am. And those facts are easily available right here in this old liberal rag The NYTimes, which somehow you deem worthy enough to comment on.
Not only Libs are about peace, love and understanding. I think those are qualities everyone should aspire to, don't you? What is so wrong with those traits? But if you're referring to some Woodstock Nation notion of hippies lolly-gagging around in a field of mud, high on who knows what, drifting off on some tangerine dream while listening to the psychedelic sounds of a bygone generation, well Steve, you are living a fantasy there on Long Island, comfortable with broad stereotypes of what we here in The City think.
A few blocks in fact from where I live resides the billionaire blowhard running for Prez. How does he fit it to your wide swat of generalizations? Are all New Yorker's as brash, bold, obnoxious as he? If they were I am sure we would not have as many tourists visit from around the globe, now would we?
Peace, love and understanding, something which is in such short supply with Trump. I hope when he loses his disciples have an ounce of those qualities in defeat.
DD
Manhattan
I believe you meant "venom? Au contraire, sorry to disappoint, no venom, no hate. I leave the hate mongering to Trump supporters who seem to have an amazingly massive supply of deplorable things to throw at Hillary. No, for moi, I prefer to stick to what the candidates do and say. As good old Joe Friday used to say, just the facts, ma'am. And those facts are easily available right here in this old liberal rag The NYTimes, which somehow you deem worthy enough to comment on.
Not only Libs are about peace, love and understanding. I think those are qualities everyone should aspire to, don't you? What is so wrong with those traits? But if you're referring to some Woodstock Nation notion of hippies lolly-gagging around in a field of mud, high on who knows what, drifting off on some tangerine dream while listening to the psychedelic sounds of a bygone generation, well Steve, you are living a fantasy there on Long Island, comfortable with broad stereotypes of what we here in The City think.
A few blocks in fact from where I live resides the billionaire blowhard running for Prez. How does he fit it to your wide swat of generalizations? Are all New Yorker's as brash, bold, obnoxious as he? If they were I am sure we would not have as many tourists visit from around the globe, now would we?
Peace, love and understanding, something which is in such short supply with Trump. I hope when he loses his disciples have an ounce of those qualities in defeat.
DD
Manhattan
3
Tax law is written by lobbyists, lobbyists are paid by people with enormous sums of money and political leverage. To save money you need to spend vast amounts of money to pay lawyers to nitpick the loopholes and pry them apart.
Business or not, legal or not it lacks integrity, gives lie to and is deceptive regarding Trump's fortune making abilities and wealth. In reality he lives off welfare for the rich!
P.S. As per Trump making out like a bandit after 9/11 despite no loss to his business. I received a small amount of dollars towards rent because I lived near the Twin Towers - I had to pay tax on it! Coverage for verified loss of work was denied as were monies for documented fixtures and fittings ruined by black smoke. I did receive a vacuum cleaner!
Business or not, legal or not it lacks integrity, gives lie to and is deceptive regarding Trump's fortune making abilities and wealth. In reality he lives off welfare for the rich!
P.S. As per Trump making out like a bandit after 9/11 despite no loss to his business. I received a small amount of dollars towards rent because I lived near the Twin Towers - I had to pay tax on it! Coverage for verified loss of work was denied as were monies for documented fixtures and fittings ruined by black smoke. I did receive a vacuum cleaner!
5
In Texas, which lawyer you hire makes a huge difference to the outcome of your case. The bigger their political donations, the better for you, but it will cost you to reimburse them for the donations.
2
Steve
Pls post a list of all the TX court cases that you have been involved in, and how you know this to be true. What's that? None? Yup, thought so.
Pls post a list of all the TX court cases that you have been involved in, and how you know this to be true. What's that? None? Yup, thought so.
2
I have a friend who would still be rotting in jail if his father weren't a well connected fund manager with roots in East Texas. He had foolishly smoked a joint in the head of a long haul bus.
What testimony can you offer about the impartiality of Texas jurisprudence?
What testimony can you offer about the impartiality of Texas jurisprudence?
1
I'm so delirious with joy to know that the rest of us could contribute to the $885 million son Dump didn't have to pay it. After all, how could he be worth so many billions otherwise. I can see why he has such an excrement-eating grin. I hope his parents would have been proud to have unleashed such a monster on the world.
6
And others. He didn't pull a rabbit out of a hat. In fact, much of the legislation was probably written by and passed by Democrats.
I am a retired hotel developer. This is more NYT yellow journalism and not true. Every place I developed offered tax incentives as they have Trump. Often locations compete for the developer's business with better tax breaks than other municipalities. Of course this is done to encourage development that benefits the municipality and its populous in many, many ways. Do I have to list them? Those of you who read this article and write damning letters here just do not know what you are talking about and/or are very biased. This is just another NYT attempt to demonize Trump, to defeat him in this election, sad. To bad the "Times" thinks you people out there are so stupid.
12
I sold empty factories. Wherever they were, the local authorities promised tax relief to buyers who would replace lost jobs.
This is how all these localities wound up with unfunded pension liabilities.
This is how all these localities wound up with unfunded pension liabilities.
1
"encourage development that benefits the municipality and its populous in many, many ways"
Examples please!
We know how it benefited Trump but not how it benefited/benefits NYC and its residents, and by residents I do not mean the people who live here for two months or less a year.
Examples please!
We know how it benefited Trump but not how it benefited/benefits NYC and its residents, and by residents I do not mean the people who live here for two months or less a year.
This paper's obvious negativity towards Mr. Trump is unfortunately helping this undeserving candidate. You forget that his indiscretions as a private citizen and his opponent's indiscretions as a public servant cannot be held to an identical standard. Mr. Trump perhaps lacks both morality and ethics as a businessman, but Mrs. Clinton has proved to be deceitful, untruthful, and opaque in her long public career. Go beyond your press room and your snooty bubble, and you will find out that most Americans find her behavior even more troubling than his.
8
Smart people do scare an awful lot of Americans. It is easier to call them deceitful than own up to the limits of one's own capacities to perceive truth.
The Clinton and Gore 100's worth millions of dollars fortunes were built on insider connections paid for by the taxpayers while they were running for and in office, not earned or due to any real expertise in any area involving actual work building anything, or life in the real world, because they became part of our lying, cheating, deceiving and contemptuous of the common people political class while still in college. Try again, you part of Hillary's campaign, hake democrat stable of writers and editors of the NY Times.
8
Making up things is just no way for an adult to go thru life. It's not even particularly good fiction, and certainly not fact - just spam, spun up out hysteria and lies. You really must try and get out more.
8
The Clintons had zero net worth when Bill left the presidency, when all their liabilities accrued to pay lawyers to defend them from your kind of accusations were taken into account.
Mr. Trump is a scam artist -- just like the vast majority of "business people."
9
It is a fact the Mr. Trump's economic activities rely on government subsidy, government relationships and access and friendly capital (his father's personal guarantee.) It allowed him to get to a position in real estate development and a certain leverage with labor and suppliers.
However, that is a small micro piece of the economy and the activities are "rent seeking" and the deal in Trumponomics is in the dark art ilk. The dark art Trumpian "loserr" deal in microeconomics is not the focus; the deal there is one that is mutually beneficial and anything else is not going to help America.
Adam Davidson on 3/17/16 notes that Mr. Trump has to confront the economy at the macroeconomic level and there is no deal; and Mr. Trump with the deal prop is exposed when the tide goes out. Enter the apt Mr. Davidson:
..., in macroeconomics — which covers the big, broad issues that a president typically worries about — the concept of the ‘‘deal’’ hardly exists at all. The key issues at play in a national or global economy (inflation, currency-exchange rates, unemployment, overall growth) are impossible to control through any sort of deal. They reflect underlying structural forces in an economy, like the level of education and skill of the population, the productivity of companies, the amount of government spending and the actions of the central bank.
Mr. Trump would have had to gone to Wharton all four years, not just two, to obtain, understand and apply the good art side
However, that is a small micro piece of the economy and the activities are "rent seeking" and the deal in Trumponomics is in the dark art ilk. The dark art Trumpian "loserr" deal in microeconomics is not the focus; the deal there is one that is mutually beneficial and anything else is not going to help America.
Adam Davidson on 3/17/16 notes that Mr. Trump has to confront the economy at the macroeconomic level and there is no deal; and Mr. Trump with the deal prop is exposed when the tide goes out. Enter the apt Mr. Davidson:
..., in macroeconomics — which covers the big, broad issues that a president typically worries about — the concept of the ‘‘deal’’ hardly exists at all. The key issues at play in a national or global economy (inflation, currency-exchange rates, unemployment, overall growth) are impossible to control through any sort of deal. They reflect underlying structural forces in an economy, like the level of education and skill of the population, the productivity of companies, the amount of government spending and the actions of the central bank.
Mr. Trump would have had to gone to Wharton all four years, not just two, to obtain, understand and apply the good art side
4
Mr. Trump participated in an undergraduate program at Univ. of Pennsylvania loosely connected to the graduate Wharton School. He holds only a bachelors degree, not any graduate degree or education.
5
I grew up in NYC and am appalled at the hideously garish buildings Drumpf (Trump's real name) builds. In my East 60's neighborhood his ugly buildings ruined the feel of the area. No consideration for the neighborhood terrain was made. New York City, besides the taxes lost, has suffered from his bourgeois tastes. How in the world does he get away with it?
13
Trump is the epitome of a ruthless, greedy capitalist.
The sad part is the role of government in these public-private development partnerships that are geared toward the top of the income distribution, to the detriment of everyone else.
Government has an incentive to lure wealthy folks to the cities, using the public coffers. This has made cities like New York only affordable to the rich and the poor.
The sad part is the role of government in these public-private development partnerships that are geared toward the top of the income distribution, to the detriment of everyone else.
Government has an incentive to lure wealthy folks to the cities, using the public coffers. This has made cities like New York only affordable to the rich and the poor.
7
2 little things - there'd be nothing wrong in using 2016 dollars, because for all that Fred & Donald were "comped" by such "luminaries" as Ed K., a million (or many of them) sure looks measly in 2016.
I'm going to guess that it's more like $5 billion, just given the magic of compound interest.
Plus, you've already left tons "on the table," given that leverage means that once you've been welcome into NY's nifty fifty or whatever, you borrow at lower rates, get your bids accepted even when there are lower bidders who presumably expose NYC to "greater risk."
And was the weekend ("challenged") headline writer looking for the word "gilded," when "girded" doesn't quite make sense, much less leap off the page as it should.
Clickbait may be detestable, but communicating poorly is way more serious, especially for THE newspaper.
Of course, a REALLY good newspaper would bring things up to date with an analysis of the how many billions diBlasio has managed to give away in his first 3 years. Every Brooklynite who looks at LICH gets to see how "pay to play" works in this city and state. Our bad luck that "young Trump" wasn't content to rape and plunder - I guess he wants to shape/destroy civiilization, so much GRANDER an ambition!
I'm going to guess that it's more like $5 billion, just given the magic of compound interest.
Plus, you've already left tons "on the table," given that leverage means that once you've been welcome into NY's nifty fifty or whatever, you borrow at lower rates, get your bids accepted even when there are lower bidders who presumably expose NYC to "greater risk."
And was the weekend ("challenged") headline writer looking for the word "gilded," when "girded" doesn't quite make sense, much less leap off the page as it should.
Clickbait may be detestable, but communicating poorly is way more serious, especially for THE newspaper.
Of course, a REALLY good newspaper would bring things up to date with an analysis of the how many billions diBlasio has managed to give away in his first 3 years. Every Brooklynite who looks at LICH gets to see how "pay to play" works in this city and state. Our bad luck that "young Trump" wasn't content to rape and plunder - I guess he wants to shape/destroy civiilization, so much GRANDER an ambition!
4
Great article and truly needed, but six months ago. But how long before this line of inquiry get supplanted and forgotten by another in-depth look into Clinton's email server ever trickling "scandal" that's become an endless source of material for the press? Does anyone truly think that nothing would stick to "the Donald" without the complicity of the very people reporting on this race? Ultimately, this situation may have less to do with bias than intellectual laziness: it takes a lot of effort to dig into the "thruthyness" and deeds of a Donald Trump, but the reward of taking another look at a Clinton's transparency problem are endless and immediate...
6
Don't forget this about Donald's boast: "gross product" does not include interest payments on all those loans; taxes (?); and operating expenses. In Donald's world I suppose that means keeping US towels, sheets, and vacuums out of his hotels.
2
I don't have the time to read the article - let me know what it says. Does it express admiration for Trump's ability to navigate complicated legal and customary routes to his own advantage, which is sort of the point of capitalism.
Or is it somehow suggesting that we would be better off voting for Hillary?
Or is it somehow suggesting that we would be better off voting for Hillary?
9
I am not a Trump supporter and will probably vote for a third party candidate.
In this case, however, all I see is a good businessman fighting for every possible break he can get to increase his income and get maximum tax advantages. In my career, I have worked for a number of very high profile companies, and my responsibility was to insure that they paid the legally minimum amount of taxes taxes. So did all my counterparts at every other business I know. There is not a business anywhere, large or small, including newspapers, which does not do this.
If you want to change this practice, then the tax code needs to be reformed. Our politicians need to have guts and act without being beholden to special interests, and make those reforms. Otherwise, professionals like me will continue, as we should, to make sure our clients minimize their tax burden.
In this case, however, all I see is a good businessman fighting for every possible break he can get to increase his income and get maximum tax advantages. In my career, I have worked for a number of very high profile companies, and my responsibility was to insure that they paid the legally minimum amount of taxes taxes. So did all my counterparts at every other business I know. There is not a business anywhere, large or small, including newspapers, which does not do this.
If you want to change this practice, then the tax code needs to be reformed. Our politicians need to have guts and act without being beholden to special interests, and make those reforms. Otherwise, professionals like me will continue, as we should, to make sure our clients minimize their tax burden.
14
trump supporters hate th gvot
trump is gaming th govt
therefore, he is a good and smart man
he is doing th stealing they all wish they could do
3
Well, Krell.
Trump-enstein is the Monster from the ID.
Like the movie. I am very worried the only way to get rid of him is with the suicide plunger that he will push, but then we all die.
That is, if we don't roast in a hot green house first.
Trump-enstein is the Monster from the ID.
Like the movie. I am very worried the only way to get rid of him is with the suicide plunger that he will push, but then we all die.
That is, if we don't roast in a hot green house first.
1
It is quite alarming to learn that Trump's past misadventures with handling money, are made more kenspeckle. His malicious and malignant attacks on whoever opposes his idee fixes about his own grandiosity, are becoming even worse than kindergarten skirmishes. As more of his unkind acts become publicized, many are turning aghast with his baleful intentions, causing insidious harm to others, potentially.
Looking at Hillary, however, her past has been highly dubious and ambiguous as well. Anyone equivocating whether to vote or not, might consider doing whatever is expedient. Voting for Hillary may be scowled at by many, but Trump presidency, on the other and, will likely spell an uncertain unctuousness. It seems like gloom ready to boom.
One can also be acutely ware that Trump's supporters will not bat an eyelid, and will probably vehemently rebuff most of these ambiguities about a Trump term. They staunchly believe he is the ultimate cure for global terrorism, among other things. So be it. This back and forth may only improve Trump's numbers, not necessarily for the right reasons.
Both candidates have skeletons in their closets, obviously a hackneyed expression, and the voters are in an unenviable position of a bind of having to choose between the rock and hard place. Not an easy choice, by any stretch of fertile imagination.
Looking at Hillary, however, her past has been highly dubious and ambiguous as well. Anyone equivocating whether to vote or not, might consider doing whatever is expedient. Voting for Hillary may be scowled at by many, but Trump presidency, on the other and, will likely spell an uncertain unctuousness. It seems like gloom ready to boom.
One can also be acutely ware that Trump's supporters will not bat an eyelid, and will probably vehemently rebuff most of these ambiguities about a Trump term. They staunchly believe he is the ultimate cure for global terrorism, among other things. So be it. This back and forth may only improve Trump's numbers, not necessarily for the right reasons.
Both candidates have skeletons in their closets, obviously a hackneyed expression, and the voters are in an unenviable position of a bind of having to choose between the rock and hard place. Not an easy choice, by any stretch of fertile imagination.
1
trump said he can shoot someone in public and his fans wouldnt care
and hes right
why do you think something like this will affect their opinion of him
4
NEW YORK OPEN FOR BUSINESS! this commercial i see every day. Is this true or not? i assume any tax incentives would have been available to any smart business person. What about an in depth story on the money machine Clinton foundation for a change. The Donald stuff does not raise the meter anymore.
5
An in-depth story on the Foundation that the Clintons DONATE to, not take money from? The Foundation directly providing thousands in Africa with life-saving AIDS drugs? The Foundation whose financial records are online for public viewing, just like 30 years of Clinton tax returns?
I wish the Times WOULD do a super in-depth feature story on the Clinton Foundation! And one on the Trump Foundation too, so readers can compare. It's a charity that selflessly gives...Trump a tax shelter and money laundering account.
I wish the Times WOULD do a super in-depth feature story on the Clinton Foundation! And one on the Trump Foundation too, so readers can compare. It's a charity that selflessly gives...Trump a tax shelter and money laundering account.
7
I know many people in the real estate business and what Trump has done is exactly the same thing other large developers have done. What's more, if you ever get a hold of Mr. Trump's tax return, I can promise you that he pays zilch in federal income taxes, but most likely pays a bundle in state and city taxes. This again is true of all large developers, other than those who live in states with no income tax. You want big office buildings and apartment complexes in your city? You don't get them for nothing. Developers build where they get the best financial offers, just like many large corporations move to places where they get tax breaks. Remember, nobody invests large sums of money and puts it at risk without doing everything they can do to safeguard their monies. If you want it any other way, move to a communist or socialist country.
8
You might be right, NewsJunkie. But if it's all so normal and above-board, why doesn't he release his tax returns? His supposedly "dishonest" opponent has decades of them online -- and HE accuses HER of transparency issues!
It's amazing how many people will accept anything without proof -- if it's what they want to hear. Yet no amount of proof can induce them to believe something that challenges their fixed beliefs. At a some basic level, humans operate far less rationally than my house cats, despite brains a few hundred times bigger.
It's amazing how many people will accept anything without proof -- if it's what they want to hear. Yet no amount of proof can induce them to believe something that challenges their fixed beliefs. At a some basic level, humans operate far less rationally than my house cats, despite brains a few hundred times bigger.
3
Yet we have information that the last building Mr. Trump 'developed' was sometime in the early 1990s. He licenses his name, such as it is, and reaps the benefit of the tax law in that way. He hasn't been a 'developer' of anything at all for years and years and years. A marketeer, perhaps.
6
It is not Trump's fault for taking advantage of the tax laws. If you want to complain, direct those complaints to the government who wrote these laws. Moreover, consider why these laws were written. Was it to stimulate growth, create jobs, revitalize a neighborhood? Ask if these goals were met. Just because Trump got tax relief, how much money was pumped into the local economy for constructions, jobs, increase real estate values, increased economic activity for the neighborhoods. Trump is the last person to be blamed for these tax breaks. Mark Schreiber
6
Except if you read the article, you see he threatened, sued and cheated on contracts to line his pocket with subsidies he was not eligible for. Those subsidies might have gone to someone more honest, deserving and of geater benefit to the neighborhood than Trump.
And while Trump did hire workers and contractors, he is notorious for late-paying, underpaying or NOT paying them. He'd offer them pennies on the dollar, knowing they couldn't afford to sue him. He bankrupted small businesses that had operated for generations. Normal businesses, even in real estate, don't have 3500 lawsuits. He's a high-level scammer, with court records backing that up. Below is a sampling -- or read The Making of Donald Trump by David Cay Johnston.
Workers:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/08/trump-tower-was-built-o...
Contractors:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/09/donald-...
Unprecedented Number of Lawsuits: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/01/donald-...
And while Trump did hire workers and contractors, he is notorious for late-paying, underpaying or NOT paying them. He'd offer them pennies on the dollar, knowing they couldn't afford to sue him. He bankrupted small businesses that had operated for generations. Normal businesses, even in real estate, don't have 3500 lawsuits. He's a high-level scammer, with court records backing that up. Below is a sampling -- or read The Making of Donald Trump by David Cay Johnston.
Workers:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/08/trump-tower-was-built-o...
Contractors:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/09/donald-...
Unprecedented Number of Lawsuits: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/01/donald-...
7
Good job fellas. It may be too late to stop him from being president. It does make me wonder why the NYT did so much damage to Clinton. Did you think this guy would make a good president? Did you just not want a woman? The NYT's animosity toward Clinton is a mystery to many of us.
19
The mystery to me is the animosity to Clinton that these I suspect trolls keep talking about. What I see is the Times first endorsing Clinton over Obama, then Clinton over Sanders, and as most of the commenters here point out the Times' non-stop direct and indirect attacks on Trump, and comparative silence on the huge issues associated with Clinton herself and the foundation.
Perhaps the tell in this note is the very tired charge that opposition to Clinton is based on misogyny, rather than common sense and an ordinary ethical sense.
Maybe it all depends on how you feel about lying.
Perhaps the tell in this note is the very tired charge that opposition to Clinton is based on misogyny, rather than common sense and an ordinary ethical sense.
Maybe it all depends on how you feel about lying.
C. Richard, Hillary Clinton has been lied about so much by the rabid right for decades now, that few are able to see the truth about her anymore and many blame her for being "untrustworthy". It's classic mobbing: The bully in the classroom starts picking on the bookish A student, and most of the rest of the class joins him instead of defending the target, because they're afraid that next time they'll be the target.
1
Mr. Trump has shown time and time again that he doesn't give a hoot about American taxpayers as long as he gets his hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts. Using the article's figure of $360,000,000 in tax losses to NYC alone and the US average tax payments for an individual, which is $13,120, he has taken the entire tax payment of 27,433 Americans into his own pockets. And that is JUST NYC. How many Americans' taxes is he taking from other areas?
Furthermore, Mr. Trump has enormous conflicts of interest with other countries, both allies and non-allies, and he has no intention of putting his assets into any blind trust. His children will run them. He cannot be impartial if a country offers a benefit to his business which may or may not be a benefit for the US. Check this article:
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/23/donald-trump-foreign-business-deals-n...
Mr. Trump, his greed, his business interests, and his lies will eliminate any trust other countries have in us. Think carefully before you vote for him or his supporters, please.
Furthermore, Mr. Trump has enormous conflicts of interest with other countries, both allies and non-allies, and he has no intention of putting his assets into any blind trust. His children will run them. He cannot be impartial if a country offers a benefit to his business which may or may not be a benefit for the US. Check this article:
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/23/donald-trump-foreign-business-deals-n...
Mr. Trump, his greed, his business interests, and his lies will eliminate any trust other countries have in us. Think carefully before you vote for him or his supporters, please.
12
I too read that article. Looks to me like he has business interests around the globe. No harm in that.
2
There is an article in today's edition of the Los Angeles Times about how former Cakifornia Govenor Gray Davis was elected to that office in 1998 with the help of $5 million dollars in campaign contributions from public employee unions. In 1999 Davis repaid the unions by signing legislation that gave many public employees incredibly generous retirement benefits that are now costing us California tax payers billions of extra dollars a year.
That same is true in the City of Los Angeles. Public employee unions buy off city officials with campaign contributions and get cushy retirement packages in return and very high pay and benefits whike they are working for the city.
As Gordon Gekko said to Bud Fox in the movie Wall Street, "you're not naive enough to believe we live in a democracy, are you Buddy?"
One thing Trump has always been very good at is gaming the system and buying off whoever he needs to so as to line his pockets and we the taxpayer get to pay for it. Lovely system.
That same is true in the City of Los Angeles. Public employee unions buy off city officials with campaign contributions and get cushy retirement packages in return and very high pay and benefits whike they are working for the city.
As Gordon Gekko said to Bud Fox in the movie Wall Street, "you're not naive enough to believe we live in a democracy, are you Buddy?"
One thing Trump has always been very good at is gaming the system and buying off whoever he needs to so as to line his pockets and we the taxpayer get to pay for it. Lovely system.
4
Hopefully the information in this article makes it to the newspapers in Red States also?
There are people everywhere who just hate what is done with our hard earned money. I assume they are also Trump's voters? Or are they happy of how their man just LOVES misusing Govt money?!
Oh the hypocricy of it all.
There are people everywhere who just hate what is done with our hard earned money. I assume they are also Trump's voters? Or are they happy of how their man just LOVES misusing Govt money?!
Oh the hypocricy of it all.
11
Now wait a second... If someone takes advantage of the tax breaks the government allowed, whose fault is that? Seems to me it's the fault of government for not writing better laws rules and regulations. The same way John Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen get farm tax breaks for putting an apiary on their personal property. . It's the government's role to write the rules.
4
WE are the "Govt", Christie.
Our taxes make up the "Govt". Am I still incorrect there? Who votes to have the Govt" we have? You are happy with the huge tax breaks.....as long as they are given to you even when you have enough and other people sleep on the street?
The me,me,me, is okay?
Not for me.
As I recall many people do not want regulations and use all the tax break monies they get to fight having regulations.
Our taxes make up the "Govt". Am I still incorrect there? Who votes to have the Govt" we have? You are happy with the huge tax breaks.....as long as they are given to you even when you have enough and other people sleep on the street?
The me,me,me, is okay?
Not for me.
As I recall many people do not want regulations and use all the tax break monies they get to fight having regulations.
1
When Trump Towers was under construction, I happened to be in NYC on a visit. My MIL pointed me toward a story regarding Trump and taxes on the new building. What I was told was that the tax incentives from the city came with a requirement to build and maintain public rest rooms in the lobby of the building. Trump didn't want that - he didn't want casual tourists or "bums" using the bathrooms in his upscale building. He was forced to build them.
The bathrooms that resulted are behind a concealed door. You have to know they are there and how to open it. The guards are not permitted to inform guests of their location and no signs point toward them.
THIS is the champion of the working man? He wouldn't even let them into his building.
The bathrooms that resulted are behind a concealed door. You have to know they are there and how to open it. The guards are not permitted to inform guests of their location and no signs point toward them.
THIS is the champion of the working man? He wouldn't even let them into his building.
25
trump will install pay toilets in th white house for guests tours
9
Why doesn't the New York Times ask readers to submit questions they would like the moderators to ask the candidates during the debates? Also follow up questions to ask when Donald Trump avoids answering the questions and instead attacks the questioner.
For example: Mr. Trump, exactly which years are the IRS now auditing your tax returns? Will you release your returns now from the years that are not being audited? Why not? How much taxes did you pay on how much income in each of the last five years. How much taxes did you avoid with tax breaks on your real estate? How much charitable contributions were donated, and to whom?
Let's see Donald squirm out of answering those questions on national television.
For example: Mr. Trump, exactly which years are the IRS now auditing your tax returns? Will you release your returns now from the years that are not being audited? Why not? How much taxes did you pay on how much income in each of the last five years. How much taxes did you avoid with tax breaks on your real estate? How much charitable contributions were donated, and to whom?
Let's see Donald squirm out of answering those questions on national television.
9
If I were Trump my answer would be - "I could release my taxes but you wouldn't understand them anyway. So what's the point?"
4
The argument for this kind of subsidy for the rich is to encourage real estate development in areas that are sketchy economically - that is they are viewed as high risk. What is shocking is how good a deal it was for Trump. He's a superb negotiator about money, but what about complex negotiations like trade deals? His deals have been shady with favoritism and legal bribery - the basis of the Republican trickle down theory which has failed. The reason why this information is interesting is it reveals how Trump has milked the political system by donating to candidates. If he is elected President, we can expect him to sell all favors legally to get whatever he wants. What would this mean for America? We can't predict the future, and Trump has never held public office before. But once he has the power of the presidency, he will be the biggest fixer in the world. We can judge his taste and his values by how he spends his money - on superficially luxurious products like gold furniture and marble lobbies. But he has done nothing for people with less money or the environment except donate his time and staff to rebuild the Central Park Skating Rink. The debate moderators should ask him for some specific recommendations for how he will create jobs. And how he proposes to dis China in trade negotiations when China holds $1 trillion worth of our debt. How would Trump deal with the spread of the Zika virus? Financing highway and mass transit improvements? The real reality show?
8
The story is he used connections and cheated to get the subsidies.
9
About that Central Park skating rink: I've read an interview with the contractor who actually did the work. He said Mr. Trump talked him into rebuilding the rink at cost saying it it would be great PR for the contractor. His people worked hard and got it done but then, contrary to promises, Mr. Trump took all the credit for the project. (and still is.) The contractor got burned. Just like all the workers, investors, even the U.S. banks. Wish I could remember the contractor's name, but he's the man New Yorkers ought to be thanking for the rink.
3
If past performance is any indication of future success, Trump will bankrupt America.
3
Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway invests in wind farms to get tax credits, admitting they otherwise make no financial sense. Elon Musk's Tesla automobile manufacturing company remains afloat because of income tax credits and other incentives. I don't see the difference.
5
They aren't running for President, Wayne, and WE want the tax breaks to stop. The Con Don will not do it.
10
I guess the difference is that investing in Manhattan real estate is not really a risk. This is more along the lines of corporate welfare.
9
Trump will take you to the cleaners. He's in it for himself. He's very good at stiffing working stiffs.
Don't be fooled. Just because he uses words to reverse meaning doesn't mean that meaning is reversed.
Thanks all for "the ultimate welfare queen". Indeed!
Meanwhile, check out some more awful: "How the Trump Organization's Foreign Business Ties Could Upend U.S. National Security"
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/23/donald-trump-foreign-business-deals-n...
Don't be fooled. Just because he uses words to reverse meaning doesn't mean that meaning is reversed.
Thanks all for "the ultimate welfare queen". Indeed!
Meanwhile, check out some more awful: "How the Trump Organization's Foreign Business Ties Could Upend U.S. National Security"
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/23/donald-trump-foreign-business-deals-n...
11
How is that article awful? He has business interests around the world. Are you jealous?
5
How does Trump’s business record qualify him to be president? Much of his wealth has been gained by exploiting others and finding every tax loophole available. The presidency is a not for profit job and the government is not a corporation. Ideally the government is looking out for the interests of most, if not all, of the people. Does anyone believe that Trump would look out for the nation as a whole, or only a select few?
When in his life has Trump benefited anyone besides himself? He has a history of short changing contractors money they were due. In Atlantic City more people were hurt than helped by his casinos and all went bankrupt, but not before Donald skipped town fully solvent. Trump U. is facing litigation by students bilked out of their tuition for a meaningless degree. His wives have all signed prenuptial agreements so Donald wouldn’t get hurt. How romantic. His is defenders say, he was only taking advantage of what is legal, he hasn’t broken any laws.
They are missing the point. The presidency requires placing the greater good ahead of self interest. Trump has never sacrificed anything for anyone, unless you believe that he is like the Khan’s - who lost a son in Afghanistan, and that Trump has made sacrifices by “working really hard”. The nation would take a back seat to his own interests and he would continue to be the self centered promoter he has always been. In his eyes we would all exist to serve him.
When in his life has Trump benefited anyone besides himself? He has a history of short changing contractors money they were due. In Atlantic City more people were hurt than helped by his casinos and all went bankrupt, but not before Donald skipped town fully solvent. Trump U. is facing litigation by students bilked out of their tuition for a meaningless degree. His wives have all signed prenuptial agreements so Donald wouldn’t get hurt. How romantic. His is defenders say, he was only taking advantage of what is legal, he hasn’t broken any laws.
They are missing the point. The presidency requires placing the greater good ahead of self interest. Trump has never sacrificed anything for anyone, unless you believe that he is like the Khan’s - who lost a son in Afghanistan, and that Trump has made sacrifices by “working really hard”. The nation would take a back seat to his own interests and he would continue to be the self centered promoter he has always been. In his eyes we would all exist to serve him.
25
Is this more than he's worth^ If so--does that mean every dollar in his gold-threaded pockets has been taken from ours^
6
The taxes you don't have to pay is not stolen money. Not all money belongs to the government. Has my mortgage "tax break" been taken from your pocket.
3
Only if the incremental increase in sales tax, property tax, etc. does not exceed the tax incentives given to him by the city.
I will give you an example. I developed an abandoned piece of property years ago that was generating $800 in property taxes per year and full of environmental problems (buried fuel tanks, asbestos riddled buildings, etc.).
The county, on an unsolicited basis, offered me a 5-year property tax abatement to develop the land and deal with the environmentals. That ship sailed 10 years ago and now I pay the county more than $250K per year on the same parcel that was generating $800, 15-years ago.
Had I said no, maybe someone else would have done it but maybe they wouldn't have. Worst case scenario, the county would still be collecting $800 per year on an abandoned brownfield. Now it's collecting $250K plus sales taxes, plus we have 80 employees with an average salary 2.5X the regional average.
I will give you an example. I developed an abandoned piece of property years ago that was generating $800 in property taxes per year and full of environmental problems (buried fuel tanks, asbestos riddled buildings, etc.).
The county, on an unsolicited basis, offered me a 5-year property tax abatement to develop the land and deal with the environmentals. That ship sailed 10 years ago and now I pay the county more than $250K per year on the same parcel that was generating $800, 15-years ago.
Had I said no, maybe someone else would have done it but maybe they wouldn't have. Worst case scenario, the county would still be collecting $800 per year on an abandoned brownfield. Now it's collecting $250K plus sales taxes, plus we have 80 employees with an average salary 2.5X the regional average.
3
Given his success at playing the system, he is the perfect person to run the Country. End of story.
2
if th country was a back room bookie operation, sure
10
Donald Trump is not capable of putting two sentences together without telling a LIE in at least one of the sentences.
Yet, all we have heard and read for months in the media is criticism over the tiniest thing reporters think is a big deal because it involves Hillary Clinton.
We have heard almost nothing from the TV talkers -- even this week after Kurt Eichenwald's major revelations in Newsweek -- about Trump's many worldwide business associations and dealings with crooks, oligarchs and even governments that are unfriendly to the United States.
No, Donald Trump is not entertaining.
No, Donald Trump is not amusing or honest.
No, Donald Trump does not give a darn about the well-being of anyone not already in his social or business universe.
And, even within his business universe, he rips off vendors who have provided products and services to his projects, hires undocumented workers and pays them at a rate below the minimum wage -- and dares them to sue him!
But, so far, in this campaign, the TV talkers have FAILED the American people in failing to shine a spotlight on Donald Trump's nefarious business dealings and nefarious business associates.
I care about what will happen to America if this charlatan becomes president; and unless the media people change their reporting techniques and decide to focus on what really matters, the damage done to America and the people living here will ALL be on our media.
Yet, all we have heard and read for months in the media is criticism over the tiniest thing reporters think is a big deal because it involves Hillary Clinton.
We have heard almost nothing from the TV talkers -- even this week after Kurt Eichenwald's major revelations in Newsweek -- about Trump's many worldwide business associations and dealings with crooks, oligarchs and even governments that are unfriendly to the United States.
No, Donald Trump is not entertaining.
No, Donald Trump is not amusing or honest.
No, Donald Trump does not give a darn about the well-being of anyone not already in his social or business universe.
And, even within his business universe, he rips off vendors who have provided products and services to his projects, hires undocumented workers and pays them at a rate below the minimum wage -- and dares them to sue him!
But, so far, in this campaign, the TV talkers have FAILED the American people in failing to shine a spotlight on Donald Trump's nefarious business dealings and nefarious business associates.
I care about what will happen to America if this charlatan becomes president; and unless the media people change their reporting techniques and decide to focus on what really matters, the damage done to America and the people living here will ALL be on our media.
13
Trump is just highly skilled at playing a corrupt and rigged system. I say, you cant afford to build something? Sadly, you dont get to build it. Thats the way the world works for most of us and it should apply equally to all. Otherwise, the little guy should get the first break, not the big one.
3
But if a corrupt democrat machine is offering incentives, a businessman has an obligation to his or her investors and shareholders to take advantage of it. Just like Warren Buffet and Elon Musk do.
2
This shows the routine interaction between gov and business, which occurs because the voters are voting corrupt politicians into office.
This is business as usual. It is silly to blame Trump for the systemic corruption that exists.
Think for yourself?
This is business as usual. It is silly to blame Trump for the systemic corruption that exists.
Think for yourself?
1
Yes, I'm thinking for myself, Radical, and I am going to vote for our next President - Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton - and other socially conscious people like Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Tim Kaine and many others and DEMAND that they get rid of these loopholes and seriously regulate BIG finance and other BIG business. 40+ years of steal what you can economics for robber barons is more than enough.
10
The Guardian ran a story today about The Con Don's "law and order" backers, the National Fraternal Order of Police Union and they're quite the hate bunch. They should be renamed the "wild west unlawful officers" because they do not think law enforcement should answer to WE hard-working taxpayers who pay them. No surprise that they would be backing the King of Con Don. Read for yourselves if you like:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/18/donald-trumps-police-off...
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/18/donald-trumps-police-off...
6
Trump's taking advantage of tax loop holes may be legal, but that doesn't mean it is ethical. His supporters don't seem to realize that every dollar Trump does not have to pay in taxes, has to be paid by ordinary tax payers like most of us. That, or we have (even) worse quality infrastructure, education and social services. And the construction jobs he generated went to cheap immigrant laborers that he could take advantage of, and small contractors that he didn't honor his contracts with. If people vote for him in sufficient numbers to get him the presidency, and he then tosses them aside as he has done to so many others including his first two wives, they have no right to complain about it. They could, and should, have known. But, as always, Trump will find a way to blame it on something or someone else.
9
Trump's taking advantage of tax loop holes may be legal, but that doesn't mean it is ethical.
--------------------------------
In this case it does.
--------------------------------
In this case it does.
1
NYT for tax breaks to stay in the city. While the senior management supports HRC while attending fundraisers at the MET, a lot of rank and file employees got outsourced overseas. They outnumber management 5 to 1 and many are voting Trump. Make no mistake, blue collar employees were already fed up, the war on good white collar jobs is going on for years now. Trump, like Brexit is a message to the establishment.
1
A guy who inherited daddy's millions takes advantage of the system to the tune of almost a billion dollars and the right wing considers him a genius. A single mom does the same to the tune of a few thousand and the right wing says she's a parasite.
13
A very depressing report that demonstrates that Trump knows how governments really work and knows how to get things done. Fair to point out that Trump family allies in the Grand Hyatt, including his former partners in ownership, were or are all seen as venerable public servants or 'good wealthy Democrats'. We have a status quo that is truly rotten to the core at most levels. Clinton will not fix it but Trump will exploit it. With Trump as POTUS we are headed toward a Putin/Berlusconi type kleptocracy. With Clinton we buy some time to rescue our country - maybe with some help from her but likely not.
2
Not surprised that Trump was taking advantage of every tax break he could get. And I'm sure that many of his deals were shady. That's one reason why he won't release his taxes. More investigations need to be done.
3
Trump does not do anything without the gravest undermining insults and innuendos being lobbied at his adversaries in making a Deal.
Money and intimidation, that's his moniker.
Many should be shunned.
The singlemost disgusting and stupid politician in the memory.
Money and intimidation, that's his moniker.
Many should be shunned.
The singlemost disgusting and stupid politician in the memory.
3
I am wondering how many of the folks supporting Trump in this thread are also taking advantage of tax incentives to enrich themselves. There's a lot of the "everyone does it" defense.
But in case you were raised by wolves and missed the parental advice given to real human beings who were taught to care for one another and the general welfare of society, here it is:
"Just because everyone is doing it, doesn't mean that it's right, moral, or ethical. And it certainly doesn't mean that you have to do it, too."
But in case you were raised by wolves and missed the parental advice given to real human beings who were taught to care for one another and the general welfare of society, here it is:
"Just because everyone is doing it, doesn't mean that it's right, moral, or ethical. And it certainly doesn't mean that you have to do it, too."
10
You are correct, no one has to do it. So when you file your taxes next year, don't take the mortgage interest deduction, or the deduction for dependents, or any deductions for charitable contributions, or the earned income tax credit, or anything like that, Don't accept subsidies for your Obamacare policy and don't take advantage of your state's sales tax exemptions.
Then pay twice what you owe if you feel so guilty about it.
Then pay twice what you owe if you feel so guilty about it.
6
wow, that is wonderful and smart.
we have people like that in MPLS. they are the smartest. These types of people make things happen.
Other people ask" what happened"?
we have people like that in MPLS. they are the smartest. These types of people make things happen.
Other people ask" what happened"?
1
Smart is not a word I would use for any of them. Super-Parasite is more apt.
Another hit job by the fools at the NYT.
Every day they try their best to be their worst and the succeed each time. A complete waste of paper now. Can't wait for Trump to change the libel laws to clearly end the protection to lie about public figures. There are no reasons why public figures should be lied about with impunity.
Every day they try their best to be their worst and the succeed each time. A complete waste of paper now. Can't wait for Trump to change the libel laws to clearly end the protection to lie about public figures. There are no reasons why public figures should be lied about with impunity.
2
For our edification, please document the lies. Thank you.
4
Coleen, I think Hillary Clinton would totally agree with you. She can also soon expect to bypass Trump as a multi-billionaire after collecting all the damages for libel and slander against her. Not to speak of damages for the two serious implied threats against her person by Trump.
1
Trump Business Model: What's mine is mine. What's yours is mine.
6
I don't see what the issue is. He followed the rules. I don't like the man or don't trust him but for the NYT having to bring up legally allowed issues to make him look bad is wasted time.
5
This pretty shallow stuff.
I respect the Times effort to compile this rogue's gallery of a developer's tax break past. But honestly, there isn't a real estate developer in America who wouldn't have wanted to achieve exactly what Trump did.
Did Trump use his father's political connections to get his first project done? Check.
Did Trump use his father's money to secure his first real estate loan? Check.
Did Trump subsequently inherit most of his wealth from his successful father? Check.
This is Trump the real estate developer in a nutshell.
I respect the Times effort to compile this rogue's gallery of a developer's tax break past. But honestly, there isn't a real estate developer in America who wouldn't have wanted to achieve exactly what Trump did.
Did Trump use his father's political connections to get his first project done? Check.
Did Trump use his father's money to secure his first real estate loan? Check.
Did Trump subsequently inherit most of his wealth from his successful father? Check.
This is Trump the real estate developer in a nutshell.
3
Only $885 million taken from government coffers? I guess this taker is not as great a businessman as his followers think he is.
3
Not to be overly critical- but if Trump as a businessman promised that through his super powers, that he'd make us all rich, and when you pressed him for details how what was his plan- like most sane business men, you'd want to avoid Trump and money like the plague.
He's even less qualified to be president than he is to run a business.
The same urge that drove people to invest their money with Madoff are driving people to Trump.
His campaign is based on his yen for smooth talk and duplicity.
If you wouldn't invest your money with the man, why would you entrust the future of your country with him?
He's even less qualified to be president than he is to run a business.
The same urge that drove people to invest their money with Madoff are driving people to Trump.
His campaign is based on his yen for smooth talk and duplicity.
If you wouldn't invest your money with the man, why would you entrust the future of your country with him?
6
The Guardian reported yesterday that DT is thinking of suing the NYT's.
"In a tweet on Saturday night, the Republican nominee for president wrote: “My lawyers want to sue the failing @nytimes so badly for irresponsible intent. I said no (for now), but they are watching. Really disgusting......It is unclear what prompted Trump’s statement. However, the Times published a detailed investigation earlier on Saturday describing how the real estate developer had relied on nearly $900 million in taxpayer subsidies over the past four decades to build his fortune. Trump had previously attacked the Times earlier in the day on Twitter “as a laughingstock rag” and called Maureen Dowd, a columnist for the Times, “wacky” and “a neurotic dope”. He has long bashed the publication’s reporters although he has never placed the newspaper on his campaign’s now defunct blacklist....
Trump has previously lambasted one top reporter there, Maggie Haberman, because she didn’t “write good” and called on the Times to fire another top reporter, Jonathan Martin, on Friday."
Real reporting instead of the false equivalencies that have marked this campaign seem to be getting to him.
"In a tweet on Saturday night, the Republican nominee for president wrote: “My lawyers want to sue the failing @nytimes so badly for irresponsible intent. I said no (for now), but they are watching. Really disgusting......It is unclear what prompted Trump’s statement. However, the Times published a detailed investigation earlier on Saturday describing how the real estate developer had relied on nearly $900 million in taxpayer subsidies over the past four decades to build his fortune. Trump had previously attacked the Times earlier in the day on Twitter “as a laughingstock rag” and called Maureen Dowd, a columnist for the Times, “wacky” and “a neurotic dope”. He has long bashed the publication’s reporters although he has never placed the newspaper on his campaign’s now defunct blacklist....
Trump has previously lambasted one top reporter there, Maggie Haberman, because she didn’t “write good” and called on the Times to fire another top reporter, Jonathan Martin, on Friday."
Real reporting instead of the false equivalencies that have marked this campaign seem to be getting to him.
6
You're gonna' have to get over it as this guy is gonna' be the next POTUS.
7
Nope. Not in a million years.
4
Not in a million years.
More like 4 months.
More like 4 months.
1
Okay, let's agree now, no excuses when the going gets tough and Trump is emblazoned across the White-house in glittery, garish, gold lettering.
No whimpering or whining or saying "but, I didn't know", "he didn't say", "he promised", "he lied", "he's a conman", "we were had", "I thought it was a reality show". That is if one is even allowed to do anything but worship him at that point.
No whimpering or whining or saying "but, I didn't know", "he didn't say", "he promised", "he lied", "he's a conman", "we were had", "I thought it was a reality show". That is if one is even allowed to do anything but worship him at that point.
Media markets in California were flooded with messages from the New York governor offering ten years of tax free status for businesses that move to the Empire State. Government pimps taxpayers all the time to attract business, even when that business offers low-wage jobs, pollutes the air and does not contribute to the community tax base.
offering tax cuts to business is like debt-forgiveness. it should be taxed as income.
offering tax cuts to business is like debt-forgiveness. it should be taxed as income.
2
Gee, and Mr. Trump did not vote on one tax law or tax law change that would benefit him. If Mr. Trump's using current and past tax laws for his benefit bothers you, then I would urge you to vote for politicians who would change the law.
6
“This was subsidized by city residents,” Ms. Burstein said recently of the tax break. “The last thing you do is cheat the very people who are your partners.”
She obviously doesn't understand Donald Trump.
Let's note that Stanley Friedman, Beame's deputy mayor, rammed Trump's tax break and other favors through the city administration and then, on his first day out of office, began a new job at the law firm of Roy Cohn, which represented Trump.
She obviously doesn't understand Donald Trump.
Let's note that Stanley Friedman, Beame's deputy mayor, rammed Trump's tax break and other favors through the city administration and then, on his first day out of office, began a new job at the law firm of Roy Cohn, which represented Trump.
8
This article is far more is more of an indictment of the City instead of Trump. Basically, the city could have built the Grand Hyatt itself at a lower cost, and they could have subsidized the renters directly less expensively than for what they gave Trump. This article in many ways makes the case for electing him: if he can negotiate with congress the way he negotiated with the city, then he'll be able to get things done.
9
Agree with Jon. Sanders opinion.
1
Jonathan: The city lacked the trained personnel. Most modern-day city-owned buildings were not constructed by the city, but either privately or by various authorities. Additionally, New York State law would not have allowed bonds to be issued for the city to construct a privately-run hotel.
2
Who knew that the Trump Empire was built by corrupt crony capitalist corporate plutocrat oligarch welfare?
Any one who knows that the federal income tax code provides deductions, credits, subsidies and lower tax rates. But only for certain industries, transactions, sources of income, business entity structures, contracts and securities paid for and favored by special interests lobbyists who routinely buy our selected and elected executive and legislative officials.
Donald Trump was a really "smart" businessman wheh he "picked" a multimillionare German American real estate baron father. Making his fortune the old fashioned divine royal birth way.
Hillary and Bill Clinton "earned" their $121 million fortune the new fashioned way, by converting their selected and elected public "service" into their personal pot of gold.
Any one who knows that the federal income tax code provides deductions, credits, subsidies and lower tax rates. But only for certain industries, transactions, sources of income, business entity structures, contracts and securities paid for and favored by special interests lobbyists who routinely buy our selected and elected executive and legislative officials.
Donald Trump was a really "smart" businessman wheh he "picked" a multimillionare German American real estate baron father. Making his fortune the old fashioned divine royal birth way.
Hillary and Bill Clinton "earned" their $121 million fortune the new fashioned way, by converting their selected and elected public "service" into their personal pot of gold.
9
This article would be much, much better if some of the quantities were expressed as proportions. Breathless statements about tax breaks of 15.9 million may be quite precise but are no more than Dr. Evil holding a pinky to his lips and saying "One MILLION dollars". Most readers, myself included, do not have the time to tease out which numbers relate to which others. My guess is that a parasite like Trump may at times be earning a "profit" only because of tax breaks and thus essentially is stealing public money. I would like stories like this to evaluate that possibility directly.
4
So what? Mr. Trump is not responsible for all the tax loopholes created by both establishment parties over the years.
8
Sure he is. He admitted paying off politicians. What do you think he was doing?
10
The New York Times received 26.1 million dollars in tax breaks to build their building and received their building through eminent domain in a area that wasn't blighted in Times Square
16
Apparently that didn't fall under "All the news that's fit to print."
1
I am not a Trump fan. But I have really had it with the NYT's willingness to use deceptive language and innuendo to go after Trump. Look st this paragraph:
"After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Mr. Trump lined up a $150,000 grant for one of his buildings near ground zero, taking advantage of a program to help small businesses in the area recover, even though he had acknowledged on the day of the attacks that his building was undamaged."
The implication is that Trump did something wrong, and should not have received the $150k. But the writer does not come out and say that, because he can't. Where is the quote from the administrator of the program, saying Trump was not eligible because his property was not damaged?
The fact is that this program was not to pay for damage to property; insurance does that. Rather, this program was "to help small businesses recover."
The damage done by the 9/11 attacks did not end on 9/11. The attacks and subsequent recovery efforts depressed the downtown market, business volume, customer traffic, and values for years. This is what this program was for, and Trump did nothing wrong by seeking, or getting program benefits. The official sponsor of the Clinton Campaign (Goldman Sachs) did it too, albeit on a much grander scale.
"After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Mr. Trump lined up a $150,000 grant for one of his buildings near ground zero, taking advantage of a program to help small businesses in the area recover, even though he had acknowledged on the day of the attacks that his building was undamaged."
The implication is that Trump did something wrong, and should not have received the $150k. But the writer does not come out and say that, because he can't. Where is the quote from the administrator of the program, saying Trump was not eligible because his property was not damaged?
The fact is that this program was not to pay for damage to property; insurance does that. Rather, this program was "to help small businesses recover."
The damage done by the 9/11 attacks did not end on 9/11. The attacks and subsequent recovery efforts depressed the downtown market, business volume, customer traffic, and values for years. This is what this program was for, and Trump did nothing wrong by seeking, or getting program benefits. The official sponsor of the Clinton Campaign (Goldman Sachs) did it too, albeit on a much grander scale.
16
those grants were offered to shore up small businesses, like news stands and shoe shine stalls who were losing business volume. they were not offered so billionaires can gild vulgar chandeliers in pricey condos.
8
No.
That's YOUR reading of the grants.
Why not tell us of the other businesses in the area who received those grants.
That's YOUR reading of the grants.
Why not tell us of the other businesses in the area who received those grants.
OG and Tabasco Joe
If I'm wrong, show me where in the article it says that Trump was ineligible for the grant.
If I'm wrong, show me where in the article it says that Trump was ineligible for the grant.
"Mr. Trump is not that different from many other developers. But the level of subsidies he has received along with his doggedness in claiming them seem at odds with his rhetoric as an outsider candidate who boasts of his single-handed success and who has denounced what he calls the pay-to-play culture of politics and a “rigged” system of government."
---------------------------
In case anyone was wondering this is what editorializing outside of the editorial page looks like. It is a sin what has happened to the paper of record since they decided to be the water carrier for the Democratic party.
---------------------------
In case anyone was wondering this is what editorializing outside of the editorial page looks like. It is a sin what has happened to the paper of record since they decided to be the water carrier for the Democratic party.
10
Why is it that there is so much anger about the poor getting entitlement programs or subsidies, when corporations of all kinds are getting behemoth government subsidies like Trump?
12
Because Donald Trump uses some of his subsidies to create jobs for immigrants whereas the poor just spend their subsidies for food, clothing, and shelter - oh, that creates jobs, too! Good point.
1
Ninety percent of his supporters make under $50,000 a year. And they send this grifter, shyster, scam artist bully their money.
What a pathetic condition our republic has reached.
What a pathetic condition our republic has reached.
17
99percent of Hillary supporters make less than the $40 million per year she makes. And yet they give her money. Go figure.
2
Please keep asking to see the letter from the IRS about his being audited. He doesn't have a letter. He isn't being audited.
9
Meanwhile the statistics come in stating that non-citizen immigrants, who can't benefit from Medicare, contributed 115 billion dollars in payroll taxes over a 7 year period from 2002 to 2009. In spite of the disgusting state of tax laws in this country, Trump does not contribute in any significant way to charities that benefit the welfare of others, even animals (oh, that's right, his sons are big game hunters.)
9
Donald Trump - the welfare King !!
12
Nothing illegal! Trump is a smart business man. He'll get rid of our national debt.
5
One thing I can agree with Trump on: in many ways, the system is rigged.
This article shows the way that wealthy business people - and campaign cintributors - are able to get unique handouts from taxpayers to increase their own wealth. And, when thwarted, they can prevail in courts run by political appointees or elected judges. If you have a disagreement with the IRS, you are unlikely to have the time or resources to fight it.
This is an equal opportunity problem. Unless you live under a rock, you have already seen pictures of Trump at events with the Clintons holding arms and smiling. Trump himself says he knows "how to work the system".
At this point, we have devolved to a system with a permanent and wealthy ruling class: the Trumps, Clintons, Bushes, etc.
In his book "The Conscience of a Liberal", Pau Krugman shows that we are in a unique time, where there is no overlap or bipartisanship in congress: the most conservative democrat is far to the left of the most liberal republican, and vice versa.
Indeed, the only place we see cooperation by the parties is in setting the presidential debates. Contrary to common belief, the Commission on Presidential debates is not independent, but a body jointly controlled by the democratic and republican parties. The one thing they agree on is not letting Libertarians Johnson and Weld into the debates.
Maintaining a duopoly of power and wealth is, sadly, something the major parties agree on.
This article shows the way that wealthy business people - and campaign cintributors - are able to get unique handouts from taxpayers to increase their own wealth. And, when thwarted, they can prevail in courts run by political appointees or elected judges. If you have a disagreement with the IRS, you are unlikely to have the time or resources to fight it.
This is an equal opportunity problem. Unless you live under a rock, you have already seen pictures of Trump at events with the Clintons holding arms and smiling. Trump himself says he knows "how to work the system".
At this point, we have devolved to a system with a permanent and wealthy ruling class: the Trumps, Clintons, Bushes, etc.
In his book "The Conscience of a Liberal", Pau Krugman shows that we are in a unique time, where there is no overlap or bipartisanship in congress: the most conservative democrat is far to the left of the most liberal republican, and vice versa.
Indeed, the only place we see cooperation by the parties is in setting the presidential debates. Contrary to common belief, the Commission on Presidential debates is not independent, but a body jointly controlled by the democratic and republican parties. The one thing they agree on is not letting Libertarians Johnson and Weld into the debates.
Maintaining a duopoly of power and wealth is, sadly, something the major parties agree on.
3
Ask those desperately unemployed construction workers in 1978 who got jobs building The Hyatt think about Trump.
8
Trump hired illegal Polish immigrants at around $4 per hour to tear down the Bonwit Teller building. So much for union jobs.
3
He was talking about the Grand Hyatt.
Why do people get tax breaks to build things that cater solely to rich people and increase the riches of those rich people? And then the tax code enables them to claim depreciation on those structures so they don't pay any income taxes. In what way do people who are not rich benefit? I suspect they benefit in NO way.
7
The NY Times should have been doing investigative reporting and writing opinion pieces on such tax breaks for decades. It's unconscionable to ignore this and then bring it up now as though it were immoral and you've just discovered it. Do the Spitzers and the Dursts get the same sort of tax breaks for their Manhattan developments? Fair's fair. What's the truth about everyone in this game.
8
I think Donald Trump takes all he can from society without feeling any obligation to contribute. I think he is a parasite. I think he has no allegiance to the United States. I think he would like to be a dictator. I am afraid of the possibility of his controlling the U.S. Army. I see the possibility of a coup or revolution. Within four years, we could be living under the rule of a dictatorship with our Army merged with the Russian Army. I think Donald Trump would be glad to merge the two nations with Mr. Putin.
10
Really?
1
With Roy Cohen as his Godfather would it be any different? It is amazing how the the main stream media avoid Trump's pay for play antics but blow-up Clinton's less deliberate or legally serious errors. Isn't time that Trump's hidden hedge fund political advisors - his Putin fetish - his KKK support be highlighted? And his endless position lies go unacknowledged. This creep could be President.
10
It will not be enough to merely defeat him.
The damage this odious man has done to this country is already humongous.
It may take 20 years to undo him.
The first order of business after dispatching him in the election must be the opening of a new Cabinet Department, The Office for the Control Of Bad Political Memories (TOCOBPM), an agency devoted solely to obliterating and expunging from our historical records all traces that a man named Donald Trump actually lived, breathed and schemed among us in these times.
The damage this odious man has done to this country is already humongous.
It may take 20 years to undo him.
The first order of business after dispatching him in the election must be the opening of a new Cabinet Department, The Office for the Control Of Bad Political Memories (TOCOBPM), an agency devoted solely to obliterating and expunging from our historical records all traces that a man named Donald Trump actually lived, breathed and schemed among us in these times.
8
The NYT should also look into how much tax revenue the U.S. Treasury lost with each of Trump's bankruptcies as well as his standard practice (even outside of Chapter 11 proceedings) of paying less than what he owes for services rendered.
Presumably, the creditors who are forced to settle for pennies on the dollar take tax deductions for the losses they incurred from doing business with Trump. There is also a chain effect as some of these business people, as a result of getting stiffed by Trump, are unable to meet their financial obligations to others.
Presumably, the creditors who are forced to settle for pennies on the dollar take tax deductions for the losses they incurred from doing business with Trump. There is also a chain effect as some of these business people, as a result of getting stiffed by Trump, are unable to meet their financial obligations to others.
10
Did you ask that question re the Dem engineered GM And Chrysler bankruptcies? And btw, money losing businesses don't pay taxes, regardless of bankruptcy.
2
Well, that's precisely the point, isn't it? Businesses that lost money as a result of doing business with Trump did not pay taxes on that forgone revenue.
1
I see a lot of comments "Trump is just taking advantage of legitimate tax breaks". But it sounds like to did much more than that, he:
- threatened people "If you don't give me an exemption I'll have you fired";
- didn't follow through on his promises to the city "reneging on the promise to allow for access to the subway";
- he didn't just apply for tax breaks, he sued for them multiple times on multiple projects "The Koch administration rejected Mr. Trump's application... Mr. Trump sued the city in 1981... Mr. Trump appealed and in 1984 Mr. Trump was given the tax abatement" I guess third times the charm;
- he didn't pay the small amount of taxes he did owe "in 1989... the city's auditor... found that Mr. Trump owed the city $2.9 million for 1986... after the city demanded payment... the suit was settled... the city recouped $850,000.
- applying for $150,000 grant from a "small business recovery program".
Donald Trump is the living, breathing epitome of Ebenezer Scrooge - a miserly, selfish, misanthropic character created by Charles Dickens. Mr. Dickens would be mortified if he knew we were considering electing this character to the office of President of the United States.
- threatened people "If you don't give me an exemption I'll have you fired";
- didn't follow through on his promises to the city "reneging on the promise to allow for access to the subway";
- he didn't just apply for tax breaks, he sued for them multiple times on multiple projects "The Koch administration rejected Mr. Trump's application... Mr. Trump sued the city in 1981... Mr. Trump appealed and in 1984 Mr. Trump was given the tax abatement" I guess third times the charm;
- he didn't pay the small amount of taxes he did owe "in 1989... the city's auditor... found that Mr. Trump owed the city $2.9 million for 1986... after the city demanded payment... the suit was settled... the city recouped $850,000.
- applying for $150,000 grant from a "small business recovery program".
Donald Trump is the living, breathing epitome of Ebenezer Scrooge - a miserly, selfish, misanthropic character created by Charles Dickens. Mr. Dickens would be mortified if he knew we were considering electing this character to the office of President of the United States.
13
Sounds like a shrewd negotiator to me.
8
That's one way to see it, I'm sure Scrooge would agree with you.
5
If this article intends to impugn Trump in the eyes of the general public, it fails. In fact, his supporters may point to these negotiations as evidence of his business acumen, though the practices are scheming without conscience. From such an amoral view, "Insider" or "outsider" matters little, so long as the negotiator garners advantage. Yes, he is a disgusting (business)man; however, his consistent racist property management practices are far more telling about his true character than are his wheeler dealer, American-style business ploys.
7
“But there never was a quid pro quo.”
Believe me. Believe me.
Imagine if this snout gets into the federal trough.
Believe me. Believe me.
Imagine if this snout gets into the federal trough.
13
Mr. Trump is correct - the system is rigged - in favor of people like him with connections and the money to pay attorneys to get benefits for themselves. The rest of us end up paying the bill. Unfortunately, this will never change because the wealthy and politicians have a symbiotic relationship - I scratch your back, you scratch mine. The only thing we can hope for is someone in office that tries to share some of the largess with the rest of us - and someone I don't see that quality in Mr. Trump.
21
lumpy will give himself even more tax breaks - he is the ultimate system gamer - and the presidency would be the epitome for him - but for the 99% it will make the bush years look like the best in US history.
10
Egad - what corruption...
No doubt aided by those Republican scoundrels of a NYC mayor and a NYS governor - in your picture - respectively...
Oops...
You all must be quite stressed - your visual propaganda is usually flawless...
For anyone who drinks this kool-aid you're hawking, I've got both a bridge (into Queens) - and a tunnel (into Brooklyn) - for which I'd sell them at least the naming rights...
No doubt aided by those Republican scoundrels of a NYC mayor and a NYS governor - in your picture - respectively...
Oops...
You all must be quite stressed - your visual propaganda is usually flawless...
For anyone who drinks this kool-aid you're hawking, I've got both a bridge (into Queens) - and a tunnel (into Brooklyn) - for which I'd sell them at least the naming rights...
4
I would really like to know how this is going to help any of the working class people who don't have the high enough income to take advantage these "tax" breaks, loopholes, incentives, whatever.
How is the repeal of the death tax going to help anyone making $60K a year?
Are those same people going to get property tax cuts?
Are they going to get tax subsidies?
People don't get it. Middle and lower class people pay the price that help the rich get richer. We will continue to pay, and pay.
The working class people are taxed to death.
Why in the world would any hard working person think this candidate is going to do ANYTHING to help better their circumstances?
Absolutely NOTHING he has "said" he was going to do will ever help me, my adult married children, or anyone I know.
Higher wages, healthcare, lower taxes, lower tuition costs, better education, cleaner environment.....where is the plan?
Seriously, how is any of Trump's ideas going to help middle income people? Lower income people?
Open your eyes, Trump's not going to help 99% of us one iota.
How is the repeal of the death tax going to help anyone making $60K a year?
Are those same people going to get property tax cuts?
Are they going to get tax subsidies?
People don't get it. Middle and lower class people pay the price that help the rich get richer. We will continue to pay, and pay.
The working class people are taxed to death.
Why in the world would any hard working person think this candidate is going to do ANYTHING to help better their circumstances?
Absolutely NOTHING he has "said" he was going to do will ever help me, my adult married children, or anyone I know.
Higher wages, healthcare, lower taxes, lower tuition costs, better education, cleaner environment.....where is the plan?
Seriously, how is any of Trump's ideas going to help middle income people? Lower income people?
Open your eyes, Trump's not going to help 99% of us one iota.
11
What percentage of individual income tax revenues does the middle class pay? Is it the same percentage of the income they earn?
Because if they pay less than the percentage of income they earn, your argument falls apart.
Because if they pay less than the percentage of income they earn, your argument falls apart.
2
Gosh, the Clinton's would never do anything like this! Imagine - building a fortune based on tax breaks!
7
Better late than never. The media gave Trump a free ride. Now he's likely to be POTUS. Enough guilt to go around.
4
So Trump legally took advantage of tax abatements and loopholes? So what? But an investigative article detailing his business strategy to hire subcontractors, then not pay them until they sue him...and then settle for 50 cents on the dollar...now that would be an article worth reading.
7
Plenty of articles like that have been written. Some in this very paper.
1
Really shows the conman he is.
5
And what suckers democrat city officials are.
3
Why is the problem with Trump and not taxpayers paying huge bills NYC and and rest of the state from waste and over billing.
Shouldn't the problem be "Trump needs tax credits to build because there is to many taxes which creates high costs to produce anything"
Shouldn't the problem be "Trump needs tax credits to build because there is to many taxes which creates high costs to produce anything"
And yet many things do get produced. Which leads to the conclusion that Trump is really a lousy businessman--a loser who can only succeed at the expense of others, namely taxpayers.
3
Love to see an analysis of cost/benefits of billionaires vs immigrants or versus the poorest third of wage earners.
Just what does each of these groups contribute to society in services provided (e.g. manual labor, the benefits of products as sodas, oil, taxes payed, cost of blue and white collar crimes committed) and what does each group cost society in payouts ( e.g entitlements aka tax breaks, social security, food stamps, golden parachutes and the use of government infrastructure as roads for commerce and in compensation for victims of products as tobacco, oil, sugar).
Without such analyses, we are as the blind men trying to comprehend an elephant. The conservatives only recognize one area, the liberals another. Still, there is an entire elephant here.
Just what does each of these groups contribute to society in services provided (e.g. manual labor, the benefits of products as sodas, oil, taxes payed, cost of blue and white collar crimes committed) and what does each group cost society in payouts ( e.g entitlements aka tax breaks, social security, food stamps, golden parachutes and the use of government infrastructure as roads for commerce and in compensation for victims of products as tobacco, oil, sugar).
Without such analyses, we are as the blind men trying to comprehend an elephant. The conservatives only recognize one area, the liberals another. Still, there is an entire elephant here.
1
Another cost that is seldom noted but certainly significant in Trump's case are the court costs associated with his 3500 court cases. I am no legal expert, but if we assume court costs of $2,000 a day, primarily for the salaries of those that work in the courtroom, and suppose each case takes a week - - some perhaps less, but others certainly much longer - - that's a minimum of $35 million in court costs, and probably much more, considering the work done outside the courtroom as well. And who picks up the tab for those court costs? The taxpayer, of course. When is Trump going to thank NY taxpayers for paying his HUUUGE court costs?
4
As hard as the NYT is trying to put Trump in a bad light, a few questions come up that don't seem be to be covered by the reporter. Were any of these tax breaks illegal? Who were the politicians in office at the time that put the laws on the books? Who were the politicians in office at the time the breaks were granted?
6
How did the government allow Trump to prevail?
3
Trump is not, I repeat NOT a blue-collar millionaire. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has been working the system ever since.... that is more evident the past year than at any other time. And since we've all contributed to Trump with our tax dollars, you could we actually own a piece of his empire.
7
I bet the developer at 620 8 avenue received a nice tax break from NYC to put the New York Times headquarters in a brand new building in Times Square and passed those rent savings down to their tenant The New York Times.
5
Right!
1
That's a smart man, using every advantage available. Many doctors, lawyers, and other prominent wealthy business people utilized grants and scholarships to finance their start (e.g. education). Would you fault them for using perfectly legal and acceptable resources?
5
You call threatening to use your clout to get someone fired for doing their job acceptable conduct? Though we only have one instance of that mentioned here, how much would you be willing to bet that Trump didn't threaten others in similar situations?
3
First, I blame the media for making this idiot legitimate!! Now, here we are( 6 weeks from the election) and finally we are having to deal with all his shady dealings, which have to be exposed in order to move forward..this is what happens when you don't have a "free" press!
11
I've worked with tax credits and other government subsidies, such as breaks on real estate taxes. While I fully support these methods when a project is needed additional equity because it serves low=income persons, or areas of cities where development is encouraged (like inner=city housing, retail, etc), but for a for-profit developer that will bring NO benefit to the community, other than putting money in HIS pocket its just a give away of tax payer money for NOTHING. If you tell me Trump couldn't get investors for his projects to cover whatever "shortfalls" his taxes might have caused, I might, just might understand. However, I'm absolutely sure he would have found many investors wanting a part of the pie. Thing is HE just wanted the $$. It insults MY intelligence, and it shows me that priorities for the common folk are not there, when we subsidize developments so for profit developers can make more money and reduce the risk of developing something. Makes me physically ill to see that much money going to TRUMP, when it could have been used for education, health care, streets, law enforcement, you name it. Pathetic, absolutely pathetic.
12
I unabashedly oppose Trump and appreciate every significant revelation about him that the NYT provides, but this isn't one of them. This article flaunts the Times bias (yes it is also mine) and trivializes the truly significant facts about his shockingly adolescent and dangerous behavior. That the laws exist that allow these tax "incentives" is not Trump's doing. That he is not a saint who would turn his back on them is not a revelation.
5
But now that he ostensibly wants to work for the benefit of the American people, and not just himself, the least he could do is thank the taxpayers who have made his business success possible by paying the taxes he didn't pay, the taxes that support government, and in particular the courts which he has made profligate use of.
Wow. It doesn't seem to matter what embarrassing revelations are made EVERY DAY about Donald Trump - it just bounces off of him like bullets off of the Man of Steel. His ratings seem not to suffer, and may even rise, with each new scandal. Yet when Hillary makes some gaffe or stumbles from pneumonia fatigue, her ratings drop and it becomes the nightly "issue" for the incessant Talking Heads on CNN and for some unknown reason, she is deemed "untrustworthy". This election is absolutely surreal - Hillary should be a shoo-in, yet here we are. Until we can find Trump's "kryptonite", Hillary should stay the course and keep out of trouble; this is her election to lose.
7
In all fairness we should remember that American cities were abysmal in the 70's and 80's. Reagan began to withdraw federal dollars from the cities leaving many on the brink of bankruptcy (NY did go bankrupt). It was tax breaks that allowed cities to begin a turnaround. Today, Philadelphia is thriving because of tax breaks and tax abatements over the last 30 years. Trump's stunt on Friday though is an indication of what can be expected. He lured the media into his new hotel on the pretense of a major announcement and surrounded himself with military veterans. He spoke for 30 seconds on the ibirther issue. He essentially duped the press and used the veterans. Shame on Trump but also the day that the press woke up!!!!!!!
5
Politicians like Ed Koch and Hugh Carey (who never built a thing) get bridges and tunnels named after them while Donald Trump (who has actually built pretty impressive structures) is tarnished. Why? Because he played the game created by the Koch's and Carey's of the world. The pols, Federal, State and local, wanted the buildings and they set the rules of the game. As a builder, Trump played by their rules, took the tax breaks offered and left something pretty wonderful behind. I wish I could say the same for the politicians. Hillary is in trouble because she's been a rule-maker for years and now her chickens are coming home to roost. Any tax break, grant or subsidy that exists is there because politicians created them. I'm surprised the Times can't seem to connect these dots.
7
Donald Trump is a capitalist, and this is what capitalists are supposed to do: sucker taxpayers, sucker their customers, and exploit their workers...whatever it takes to maximize profits and wealth.
America worships this economic system and declares anyone who opposes it unpatriotic and unAmerican. So I'm shocked that anyone is angered by Trump's stunning success at making us all suckers. He's our baby. He's the poster boy for free market capitalism.
And of course, if he becomes President he will destroy the only thing that can control capitalism: our government...and that's exactly what many who support him want.
America worships this economic system and declares anyone who opposes it unpatriotic and unAmerican. So I'm shocked that anyone is angered by Trump's stunning success at making us all suckers. He's our baby. He's the poster boy for free market capitalism.
And of course, if he becomes President he will destroy the only thing that can control capitalism: our government...and that's exactly what many who support him want.
9
Although I don't like the man, I have to say he milks the system better than anyone. He didn't cheat, he didn't steal, he simply connived -- he threatened, he sued, but, in the end, he won. I'm afraid it might happen again.
3
The Times makes this sound like it's a bad thing. It's not. It's win-win for all involved.
The developer creates a project and jobs that would not otherwise have existed while the City and the workers are thusly improved. Trump did a good job getting these projects, which remain active and viable, done.
And Clinton, what can she point to as an accomplishment of lasting value?
The developer creates a project and jobs that would not otherwise have existed while the City and the workers are thusly improved. Trump did a good job getting these projects, which remain active and viable, done.
And Clinton, what can she point to as an accomplishment of lasting value?
7
Don't blame Trump. Blame New York City. Trump simply took advantage of opportunities presented him. Who wouldn't? Except probably a bleeding heart liberal. This issue has nothing to with Trump's historic presidential campaign. Go Trump, go! Make America great again!
5
This is what a welfare king looks like, and Trump has bragged how he plays the game.
I don't entirely blame Trump though, because it take two sides for this to happen, the recipient and the donor - that's you and me, folks.
It's time for a welfare reform that goes after the Trumps of this world.
And if anyone believes in President Trump cleaning this up because he knows the system, no way. His character doesn't allow it and besides, it would undermine further expansion of his business empire.
I don't entirely blame Trump though, because it take two sides for this to happen, the recipient and the donor - that's you and me, folks.
It's time for a welfare reform that goes after the Trumps of this world.
And if anyone believes in President Trump cleaning this up because he knows the system, no way. His character doesn't allow it and besides, it would undermine further expansion of his business empire.
3
So who is the crook here, Hillary or Donald?
I am puzzled by the fact that some voters are still undecided.
For me this election is simple.
Mr. Trump is an alarmingly ugly man in all matters that truly count.
Every American should count it a privilege to vote against him.
For me this election is simple.
Mr. Trump is an alarmingly ugly man in all matters that truly count.
Every American should count it a privilege to vote against him.
3
This article just proves the tax laws were written for the wealthy by the wealthy in order to form a more perfect oligarchy.
6
The tax breaks may be legal, but the epic nature of these examples is excessively wrong, especially as a person running for POTUS. People may not like giving up money for taxes, but they like roads, schools, police, firemen, courts, etc. that keep our society running. Taxes should be coming from the people who can most afford to pay them: the wealthy. However, our society is now designed to protect the wealthy, especially the 1%, and instead, taxes the middle class and poor. This has to stop and can't stop with a republican administration. It may not stop with the the democrats in office either, but at least we will have a better chance of it with people like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders hammering away at it. If only the Trump supporters were educated and had one iota of intelligence. That is the fault of the republican government keeping the people poor and stupid. More money to education and higher standards could be part of the solution.
5
None of his supporters will read this. Even if it were blazing down (in bits) from billboards across America, they wouldn’t care. Minds are made up, Trump is not Hillary, so therefore, he gets the pass and their votes. It’s almost too ironic to comprehend, the poor voting for a billionaire thief.
For the record, I’ve always hated the letter of law. It’s almost completely contrary to a sense of justice.
For the record, I’ve always hated the letter of law. It’s almost completely contrary to a sense of justice.
3
An article like this is supposed to make him look bad, but has the opposite effect. The NYT doesn't know how to respond to Donald Trump.
3
Read Pulitzer prize winning investigative journalist David Cay Johnston's new book, The Making of Danald a Trump. It will explain a lot of the confusion I see in the letters relating to the rather weak and lame article here. It fails to provide the inside picture of how Trump was able to put together these tax packages with the help of an unsavory group of friends. It leaves nothing to the imagination and you won't be confused and left hanging.
5
Reagan said we would be a "Shining City on a Hill". What we have become is a "City of Crooks". I have an idea. Let's stop subsidizing the wealthy; the extortionists! And let's start voting for leaders who will represent the people's interests not the billionaires.
3
the small business Ground Zero WTC tax break Trump pursued and accepted is an absolute scam exposing Trump as a charlatan and a conman. That's who he is. the art of the Deal is the Art of the Steal.
5
Isn't it the greatest irony that the very methods (government handouts) used by Trump to build his real estate are what his supporters believe he is against? The joke is on them for being poor consumers of real news and for getting sucked into the cult of personality that TV fosters. Well, the ultimate Con is that as President he can't do anything that the Congress won't allow and a whole lot of them really don't like him or his populist baloney.
2
Republican leadership? Mitch McConnell? What is your response? How does this story reflect on the Republican Party?
3
So, Donald Trump wants to pay for a number of his hollow promises by eliminating fraud, cheating and tax loopholes. And, he surely knows where to look, huh? The Mirror!
But, wouldn't trusting Trump to actually carry through on all this nonsense by appointing John Dillinger as Secretary of the Treasury. Dillinger was the bank robber, back in the 1930s who, when asked why he robbed banks, responded that: "That's where the money is!"
Well, Donald J. Trump knows where the money is: Russia; Ukraine; India; Pakistan; Turkey; UAE; Saudi Arabia; etc.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
But, wouldn't trusting Trump to actually carry through on all this nonsense by appointing John Dillinger as Secretary of the Treasury. Dillinger was the bank robber, back in the 1930s who, when asked why he robbed banks, responded that: "That's where the money is!"
Well, Donald J. Trump knows where the money is: Russia; Ukraine; India; Pakistan; Turkey; UAE; Saudi Arabia; etc.
https://thetruthoncommonsense.com
4
Many want to vote for Mr. Trump, because he's a businessman, but his businnesses sound more akin to a Bernie Madoff than to a Warren Buffett. It's amazing how many want the "businessman" title, but never ask if they're a "good businessman". Is this because of [mindless] brand support or something else?
2
Here we go again with “round two” of trickle-down economics. Donald Trump’s economic plan gives give more tax cuts to people above the socioeconomic scale since he claims it will bring jobs back to America. Isn’t this a similar “trickledown economics” hoax that was created by the Republican Party with the pledge to never raise taxes to the people above the socioeconomic scale because it would impede job creation? Have we forgotten how the wealthy and corporations took their money, tax cuts and moved overseas looking for “cheaper labor?” They never looked back to see what’s left of America; a country without growth with its citizens financially insecure and suffering since many workers had lost their jobs.
Donald Trump and his family have been producing their goods in Bangladesh, Honduras, China and any other low-wage countries they can find. In fact, he’s brought guest workers from other countries to avoid having to pay the American workers hourly rate. He lacks certain moral attributes; especially being untrustworthy; he’s an expert concocting events for his own benefit to hide his bigotry. I haven’t seen anything that could convince me he’s done anything for this country other than help himself and his family. In fact, he never cared to serve in the military. To me, he’s like a wolf in sheep clothing.
Donald Trump and his family have been producing their goods in Bangladesh, Honduras, China and any other low-wage countries they can find. In fact, he’s brought guest workers from other countries to avoid having to pay the American workers hourly rate. He lacks certain moral attributes; especially being untrustworthy; he’s an expert concocting events for his own benefit to hide his bigotry. I haven’t seen anything that could convince me he’s done anything for this country other than help himself and his family. In fact, he never cared to serve in the military. To me, he’s like a wolf in sheep clothing.
3
Good for him! Now, go out and crush Billary!
3
Trump have lived off the public dole via tax breaks and loopholes. Has he done anything to enhance America via wealth, military, charities or anything... This egotistical demagogue is for Trump
2
This article is of no help. We already know about obscene "insider" dealings and tax breaks for the rich. We already know that even "responsible" business people use these systemic defects -- all legal -- to their best advantage (why shouldn't they?). How about another nice, clear, well-documented feature article on POLICY and what the candidates have to offer? How about an article comparing Clinton's PLANS to Trump's -- one without "false equivalency" built in? Ugh.
1
How hypocritical to accuse Trump of taking/demanding tax breaks/subsidies (call them what you will), when all the darling causes of the Left, most notably wind and solar, are subsidized to the gills. Back in the 70s and 80s, NYC was a sewer. I lived through it. I'm no fan of Trump, or any real estate developer, for that matter, but many of his projects -- the Grand Hyatt, Wollman Rink, and Trump Tower itself -- helped the city economically, aesthetically, and even spiritually. Additionally, why have the voices who are castigating Trump never aimed their venom at Michael Bloomberg and his developer pals who benefit from even more sensational tax breaks (25 year long tax abatements) as they peddle their 7 and 8-figure condos up and down the Brooklyn waterfront, the West side of Manhattan, and across 57th Street? Forgive the pun, but gimme a break.
3
1. No different than any sports team or any other developer. The city did not need to do this. They did it because it was advantageous to all parties.
2. At least Trump is not telling me that, as someone who pays massive taxes, I am not paying enough or my fair share. Whereas Hillary has made a massive personal fortune off of nothing but hers and her husband's political fame, she will raise my taxes while her fortune is quite secure and insulated.
Which is fair? 1 or 2?
2. At least Trump is not telling me that, as someone who pays massive taxes, I am not paying enough or my fair share. Whereas Hillary has made a massive personal fortune off of nothing but hers and her husband's political fame, she will raise my taxes while her fortune is quite secure and insulated.
Which is fair? 1 or 2?
7
It's the way things get done. Not taking advantage of available programs would be foolish.
It sounds like Trump was pretty adept at negotiation and using all the contacts and "tools" at his disposal. You're griping because he was too successful.
If you don't like the deals he made, the people who granted all these benefits to Trump are the people you should be criticizing, not Trump.
It sounds like Trump was pretty adept at negotiation and using all the contacts and "tools" at his disposal. You're griping because he was too successful.
If you don't like the deals he made, the people who granted all these benefits to Trump are the people you should be criticizing, not Trump.
4
It's just as Bernie said: the system is rigged. Tax breaks are written by the rich, for the rich. Legal? Apparently. Immoral? You bet. Tax breaks that would allow developers to make a reasonable profit would be one thing, but obscenely huge profits at the expense of taxpayers is not moral, even if legislators vote it into law. Unfortunately, the kind of change Trump wants to implement has spoiled any legitimate political revolution for this cycle, frightening people off the idea of any change, however badly needed, just to keep the ship of state out of choppy waters.
2
Donald Trump didn't write those laws. He stole from no one. This is the government tax codes. We all try to arrange our affairs to minimize our taxes. But hey, look, rich guy. How about the "tax breaks" that the Clinton Foundation uses?
5
Trump is just one of many developers, what is the value of all tax abatements given out over the same period?
2
Trump has been a lost cause for as long as his campaign existed and long before this nomination. Looking forward to the analogous NYT expose' of the Clinton Foundation, its benefactors, the pay-to-play funding from nations/entities and the 96% of Clinton's tax-free charitable giving that went to their own foundation. The sword cuts in both directions.
1
The numbers have already been crunched. If Trump had invested his $50 million inheritance in the NYSE eg an ETF which covers the whole stock market with NO bias for any shares/company he would be worth twice as much as he claims to be which at least twice as much as he really is (if that much).
Only in the U-S-A , U-S-A or a banana republic would a person like Trump rise to such heights of absurdity.
Only in the U-S-A , U-S-A or a banana republic would a person like Trump rise to such heights of absurdity.
2
That's like saying if you let a bet ride through 12 sevens, you'd get paid off big time. Everyone hedges.
1
This article is all well and good NYT, but this news is NOT making it out to the battleground states. It' not in their newspapers and not on their TV's. New Yorkers and all of New England already know Trump is a con man, light weight mobster, grafter, and hustler. Now the rest of the country needs to know it too way before Nov 8.
2
And that is why No One will ever see the tax
Returns when they would be Relevant to the election
He cannot let that happen
or his goose is COOKED
Returns when they would be Relevant to the election
He cannot let that happen
or his goose is COOKED
i don't get the outrage, this is how American capitalism has always worked. If you think this is corrupt then you don't understand how the country was built. Trump can be criticized for many things but this isn't one of them. Frankly the Clintons have also been pretty good at enriching themselves while playing on the edge of the rules.
3
Sounds like political pandering, and a whole lot of credible idiots
I understand Trump is taking what questionably is legal...but his ethical and moral compass has gone awry or is nonexistent. And that is the global problem. If you scheme, cheat and swindle you are considered business savvy and if you don't ..you considered a fool and deserve to be blundered. A very sad state of affairs for the common man.
4
So here's what I take from this story: Trump took advantage of every incentive and subsidy available to him as he carried out his various developments. When he was turned down on a couple of occasions, he sued and won, justifying his initial claim. And that is what I would expect any smart businessperson to do.
If people are so outraged at this, they should get the laws and regulations changed, so that these subsidies and incentives no longer exist. I look forward to hearing how a Clinton federal administration, or the current administrations in Albany and NYC propose to go about this.
Till then, I am going to treat this piece as the Times' daily hatchet job on Trump. I was never a Trump supporter, but the daily attacks by most of the national media are over the top and are causing me to develop a certain sympathy for the candidate. You really should be careful not to overdo it.
If people are so outraged at this, they should get the laws and regulations changed, so that these subsidies and incentives no longer exist. I look forward to hearing how a Clinton federal administration, or the current administrations in Albany and NYC propose to go about this.
Till then, I am going to treat this piece as the Times' daily hatchet job on Trump. I was never a Trump supporter, but the daily attacks by most of the national media are over the top and are causing me to develop a certain sympathy for the candidate. You really should be careful not to overdo it.
7
i dislike the title. do you think when you open a candy store and your dad sells polo shirts that you might get some extra sales? Or when your husband's friends and clients support your wife Martha's nascent catering company or if all things equal, your dad or mom gets you an interview and then a job on the Ellen show? Yes I'm angry and bitter that I don't have someone helping me
1
So Trump takes advantage of all the tax brakes available to him? Wouldn’t it be surprising if he, or any other NY developer, didn’t do that? Do you really think this is worthy of your main story?
For months the liberal media has treated this scam-artist like he’s a normal candidate and not the joke he should be treated as. In 2012, just the fact that Birther Trump would make an appearance at the RNC convention would’ve been considered a ridiculous joke. This year, thanks to the free coverage given to him, he appeared as the actual candidate. The liberal media, always fair and balanced, treats Clinton’s negatives as if they were equivalent to Trump’s. They give him headlines and interviews as if having a clown as the Republican candidate wasn't alarming at all. Of course the voter sees this and considers him a reasonable alternative to the Democrat. The media has done it, why shouldn't the voter?
Clinton is a qualified politician, he’s an ignorant reality TV star whose first elected office could be the presidency. And the way to attack him now, less than two months before the election, is to say he was smart enough to use any tax brake he could take? I’m not even sure this is a piece against Trump. Many people would think this is a very smart thing to do.
If this man wins, the media will be to blame. This is your Frankenstein. Don't try to kill him by saying the screws on his neck are too rusty. The time to get out the torches was months ago. This is too little too late.
For months the liberal media has treated this scam-artist like he’s a normal candidate and not the joke he should be treated as. In 2012, just the fact that Birther Trump would make an appearance at the RNC convention would’ve been considered a ridiculous joke. This year, thanks to the free coverage given to him, he appeared as the actual candidate. The liberal media, always fair and balanced, treats Clinton’s negatives as if they were equivalent to Trump’s. They give him headlines and interviews as if having a clown as the Republican candidate wasn't alarming at all. Of course the voter sees this and considers him a reasonable alternative to the Democrat. The media has done it, why shouldn't the voter?
Clinton is a qualified politician, he’s an ignorant reality TV star whose first elected office could be the presidency. And the way to attack him now, less than two months before the election, is to say he was smart enough to use any tax brake he could take? I’m not even sure this is a piece against Trump. Many people would think this is a very smart thing to do.
If this man wins, the media will be to blame. This is your Frankenstein. Don't try to kill him by saying the screws on his neck are too rusty. The time to get out the torches was months ago. This is too little too late.
4
This doesn't strike me as particularly damaging, given who his supporters are. When is the NY Times going to go after his foundation?
2
Nyt: tell us something we don't know. And fundamentally this is a New York City story. Judging from the comments, the trumpoholics don't care, and most people outside of NYC don't care either.
That only proves how effective he was as a businessman. He will use all
Tax loopholes. He is not running a charity. He was not a politician then. And we exactly need such a shrewd CEO type commander in chief to balance the budget and build the economy.
Tax loopholes. He is not running a charity. He was not a politician then. And we exactly need such a shrewd CEO type commander in chief to balance the budget and build the economy.
5
Rkfrommy, Trump won't balance the budget and the economy for your benefit, only if it benefits him. He cares as much about you as the contractors he stiffed out of their hard earned money.
Guess who pays extra in taxes to make up for Trump's subsidies, and for the ridiculously low property taxes on the luxury condos he sells to millionaires?
2
Good for Trump..he is smart enough to take advantage of the tax code
5
Yes, and even to take part in writing the tax code. Oh Bob, don't be such a sucker!
1
This is for all robocalls and poll husters, every person connected with the Trump campaign. Another NIXON in lambs clothing! What you sow, also you will reap.
NO TAX RETURNS, NO VOTE!
NO TAX RETURNS, NO VOTE!
5
Totally Agree
As many with more money and more to hide than Trump have said
There is Nothing preventing disclosure of
His Returns
As many with more money and more to hide than Trump have said
There is Nothing preventing disclosure of
His Returns
No one in NYC save for Donald Trump gets any real estate tax breaks.
Honest
NYT
Honest
NYT
5
This article does nothing but show that the NYT is running out of ammo against Trump.
Oh the guy used legal tax breaks to develop real estate? You mean like every other real estate developer in this country?
Also, are the commenters on here so righteous to tell me they don't take the mortgage interest deduction on their tax returns...because...that's exactly the same thing. You are STEALING from the gov't and your fellow taxpayers, shame!
Oh the guy used legal tax breaks to develop real estate? You mean like every other real estate developer in this country?
Also, are the commenters on here so righteous to tell me they don't take the mortgage interest deduction on their tax returns...because...that's exactly the same thing. You are STEALING from the gov't and your fellow taxpayers, shame!
6
Nothing new here to see for we natives. For as long as Trump has been prowling the playboy avenues of New York we who know him best like him least. A bully, a blowhard of immense proportions, a self-aggrandizing obnoxious cretin who knows how to grab headlines but has little else going on in his puddin' head.
Trump is The Joker in a pack of cards, to be used as a wild card or discarded. And yet millions of folks out in the Hinterlands think he's the cat's meow. There's a part of me that wishes Trump's Chumps would get what they desire. But then I or any other New Yorker with an ounce of sanity and empathy could never wish the horror of Trump upon even the most vile supporter of his. Not from anyone who deeply loves this already great nation. Hillary, I'm with her
DD
Manhattan
Trump is The Joker in a pack of cards, to be used as a wild card or discarded. And yet millions of folks out in the Hinterlands think he's the cat's meow. There's a part of me that wishes Trump's Chumps would get what they desire. But then I or any other New Yorker with an ounce of sanity and empathy could never wish the horror of Trump upon even the most vile supporter of his. Not from anyone who deeply loves this already great nation. Hillary, I'm with her
DD
Manhattan
10
Have u been following the HRC email leaks? Have u been following the cover up that is the use of an unsecured email system to send 'C' classified materials? So you'd prefer one who violates the law and lies to cover up that violation to one who legitimately takes advantage of provisions of the law to benefit his business and the interests of his shareholders? Think again!!!
2
Dear N. O.:
I have been following Hillary since I supported her for the Senate in '00. I have been following Hillary's career since she left Wellesley. Yes, I have been following her career and have been amazed at the sheer volume of accomplishments she's had.
I worked for the ONI, had a TS and Crypto clearance, and am well aware of what classified material entails. Republicans are prosecuting and persecuting her because she is a candidate for president. These myriad "scandals" have nothing substantial to support them except Republicans desire to try to pin on her the label of traitor. You'd have to believe if this were true that President Obama who appointed her was in on the conspiracy to undermine the security of the US. If you believe that you are delusional.
I am very familiar with how material is classified, and not for one minute do I think Hillary, Barack, or anyone other high level official would purposely try to sabotage our nation. If you believe this then it is you who needs to have their head examined.
On the other hand, I am well-acquainted with the fraud Trump has committed but has not been held accountable for due to the lack of money by those who he cheated to be able to spend millions for attorneys to battle Trump. This man is a fraud, who has acted criminally, and who deserves a good swift kick in his be-hind, which he will be getting here in New York come November 8th.
Someone as odious as Trump deserves all that is coming to him.
DD
Manhattan
I have been following Hillary since I supported her for the Senate in '00. I have been following Hillary's career since she left Wellesley. Yes, I have been following her career and have been amazed at the sheer volume of accomplishments she's had.
I worked for the ONI, had a TS and Crypto clearance, and am well aware of what classified material entails. Republicans are prosecuting and persecuting her because she is a candidate for president. These myriad "scandals" have nothing substantial to support them except Republicans desire to try to pin on her the label of traitor. You'd have to believe if this were true that President Obama who appointed her was in on the conspiracy to undermine the security of the US. If you believe that you are delusional.
I am very familiar with how material is classified, and not for one minute do I think Hillary, Barack, or anyone other high level official would purposely try to sabotage our nation. If you believe this then it is you who needs to have their head examined.
On the other hand, I am well-acquainted with the fraud Trump has committed but has not been held accountable for due to the lack of money by those who he cheated to be able to spend millions for attorneys to battle Trump. This man is a fraud, who has acted criminally, and who deserves a good swift kick in his be-hind, which he will be getting here in New York come November 8th.
Someone as odious as Trump deserves all that is coming to him.
DD
Manhattan
This is how the rich get richer. The IRS will spend time going after the guy whose deduction is $100 off, but Trumpeter enjoys a $1 billion in discounts. I would also bet he has not revealed his income taxes because he pays little to none.
9
I seem to recall something said by Elizabeth Warren------something about the system being rigged in favor of those with money / connections.
3
You mean how the DNC rigged the process against Sanders and in favour of HRC?
2
who is supporting this man? this obvious fraud? this complete scam operating right in front of all 330 mil of us, on tv and the internet, an open grifter's game?
5
The media!
Why is it that liberals and the liberal media, especially the NYT which is supposed to be the paper of record, critize those who take advantage of the law i.e tax credits, etc. . Trump not only took advantage but, when denied, won lawsuits. And have you forgotten what a dump NYC was in the 70's which led to white flight. If you don't remember what Times Square was like or that we had almost 2000 murders then we are doomed to repeat history. And are you surprised that money buys influence? If you are or not, where is the coverage of the Clinton Foundation? Article after article attacking Trump but few if any about the Clintons. It is the Clintons who are selling their influence, not Trump. And you might also not noticed the Kotch and Carey in the cover photo are both democrats.
8
Gee, lots of commenters see nothing wrong with Trump using the 9/11 taxpayer funded, small business grant program to grab a $150,000 grant for one of his buildings even though he acknowledged that his building was undamaged.
And, many don’t care that the $885 million he reaped in tax breaks was at the expense of NY taxpayers, and he makes himself richer by reneging on his promises to the city and threatening his opponents.
Lots of comments excuse Trump and point out that all developers take advantage of tax breaks, which is certainly true. But, what the article makes clear is that while all developers negotiate tax breaks for their projects, Trump has done it at a rate and for an amount that is unprecedented.
I intend to vote for Clinton who will work to increase taxes on the 1% and close the loopholes in the tax code that allow Trump and others to continue to rip-off the rest of us. And, I hope Trump has to pay and pay and pay.
And, many don’t care that the $885 million he reaped in tax breaks was at the expense of NY taxpayers, and he makes himself richer by reneging on his promises to the city and threatening his opponents.
Lots of comments excuse Trump and point out that all developers take advantage of tax breaks, which is certainly true. But, what the article makes clear is that while all developers negotiate tax breaks for their projects, Trump has done it at a rate and for an amount that is unprecedented.
I intend to vote for Clinton who will work to increase taxes on the 1% and close the loopholes in the tax code that allow Trump and others to continue to rip-off the rest of us. And, I hope Trump has to pay and pay and pay.
7
Please point to where Mr. Trump broke the law in seeking out tax breaks. Unprecedented or not doesn't cut it. Would you blame a lawyer who keeps an individual 'caught in the act' out of jail because he exploits provisions of the law?? Please find something else to talk about.
1
"Trump’s Empire Girded With $885 Million in Tax Breaks"
Talk about welfare for the rich, Mr Trump seems to have found the golden touch on politicians. And Trump claims to be an "outsider?"
Talk about welfare for the rich, Mr Trump seems to have found the golden touch on politicians. And Trump claims to be an "outsider?"
6
I would hope the debate moderators will make use of this info, which is not new news but certainly bears on Trump's conflicts of interest as POTUS.
5
I don't have a problem with Mr. Trump negotiating tax breaks. But his mantra of "Make America Great Again". Is he appealing to the already rich and successful? Because unless he was forced, he did little to help low and moderate income people.
4
No kidding. Why isn't he out there contributing to Habitat for Humanity or building houses for inner city victims, or sharing his "business expertise" in vocational support programs & volunteer coursework intruction for vets returning to the workforce.. ???
Why in the world would anyone refuse to take the tax breaks that Congress, in its wisdom, enacted. I'll bet all those who attack Trump for doing it have accountants do their taxes to maximize their deductions.
6
Trump did not give himself the tax breaks he got. These were offered, negotiated, and given by the politicians that were in power where and when he wanted to build. If and when some of these breaks were refused or rescinded, Trump used legal means available to to push his case. These are common practices in all city governments, and with all large builders in all cities, including my own here in Kansas City. Move along NYT, nothing here to see.
9
“'His whole MO is to exploit the government for everything he could get,' said Jerilyn Perine, the city housing commissioner during the Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations."
And exactly how has that changed?
And exactly how has that changed?
2
How one reacts to this article depends on how one views the right of the government to tax. Does the government own everything and merely allows us to keep a portion that is determined by law, or does everything belong to the people except that portion the government may collect as a lawfully established tax? Trump obviously believes the latter. Many of the people quoted in the article obviously believe the former.
Whether you like Trump or not, and many quoted in the article clearly do not, Trump has made very creative use of the tax laws and forged significant relationships with government that have produced some important enhancements to New York City and elsewhere. More important, Trump has been able to do this in some of the toughest political environments in the world.
Perhaps we need to see more cooperative relationships between government and the private sector and the creative use of tax incentives to produce more beneficial economic activity. Politicians usually do not know how to do this as they often have no real world experience of any consequence. The creativity needs to come from the business sector because it is that sector that is actually going to have to perform the work and create the economic activity.
Whether you like Trump or not, and many quoted in the article clearly do not, Trump has made very creative use of the tax laws and forged significant relationships with government that have produced some important enhancements to New York City and elsewhere. More important, Trump has been able to do this in some of the toughest political environments in the world.
Perhaps we need to see more cooperative relationships between government and the private sector and the creative use of tax incentives to produce more beneficial economic activity. Politicians usually do not know how to do this as they often have no real world experience of any consequence. The creativity needs to come from the business sector because it is that sector that is actually going to have to perform the work and create the economic activity.
4
Why isn't he out there contributing to Habitat for Humanity or building houses for inner city victims, or sharing his "business expertise" in vocational support programs & volunteer coursework intruction for vets returning to the workforce ?
P.S. Let the business guy do his part, and let the government proceed with personnel with the appropriate areas of expertise.
P.S. Let the business guy do his part, and let the government proceed with personnel with the appropriate areas of expertise.
Although the aim of this article it to discredit Donald Trump by delineating the differences between his bombastic "every man" rhetoric and his actual self serving history, it also serves to outline the cause of another more general issue - that average tax payers subsidize the building of massive fortunes by greed driven billionaires... Who then use the money to bribe our politicians to pass more tax laws and budgets that cut food, medical care, education, infrastructure, etc... from the people who actually need it.
If you want to know the source of almost all of America's growing problems, just follow the money. Is it any wonder Donald Trump doesn't want to release his tax returns?
If you want to know the source of almost all of America's growing problems, just follow the money. Is it any wonder Donald Trump doesn't want to release his tax returns?
15
Why write a ridiculous hatchet job like this? Yet another"agenda" story. Paid subscribers would like news, please.
Any business is going to take advantage of tax breaks that are put there specifically to advance the development goals of the local government.
Why does every story need to focus on the political aims of this newspaper?
Any business is going to take advantage of tax breaks that are put there specifically to advance the development goals of the local government.
Why does every story need to focus on the political aims of this newspaper?
5
Did you read the article? Trump’s properties weren’t damaged in the 9/11 attacks, yet he got a tax break under a program designed to assist small businesses recover after 9/11. I lived in Jersey City in September 2001 and remember how willing so many people were to do their part to help. But not the Donald; he was busy trying to figure out how to save a few bucks on taxes by exploiting a 9/11 fund. There were plenty of actual small businesses in lower Manhattan that could have used that money to rebuild, recover, etc. How exactly is this a hatchet job?
1
...Trump is an aggressive, hustler businessman with an outsized ego,...someone who will say and do anything (consequences be damned) to get what he wants. Frequently talking out of both sides of his mouth sheds light on his lack of political, ethical and moral acumen. If he is elected,...it will indeed be a sad day for the poor and middle class in the USA. Being a 'loose canon' and 'flying by the seat of pants', no matter the issue at hand,...is no way to govern a country. Clinton might represent a more reasonable incarnation of a presidential candidate although she is having difficulties in coping with the 'never before seen' style of Trump. Time for a change in American politics. The two party system is dysfunctional. The likes of a candidate like Ralph Nader would do much to bring a more humanistic, balanced and intelligent approach to American politics. Let's give this type of candidate an opportunity to represent the "government of the people, by the people, for the people"!
2
A businessman getting the best deal for his business...that is what business is all about. Can't fault him for that. Being President of the United States is quite a different job. Is this businessman what we want for President? Why do so many think that being a "successful" businessman will make Trump a successful President? It's doubtful that success in business has any relation to running a successful economy. I sure would like to see Mr Trump's tax returns for the past decade to see how successful he really was. The fact that he has refused to release them suggests that we might find that this billionaire isn't a billionaire after all.
68
I will be voting for Trump because he knows how to create jobs in the Private sector. Sure, some of his companies filed for protection from creditors under the Tax Code, but as with Love:
It is far better to have created jobs and lost some of them, than to never have created jobs at all
Hillary has never created one job in the Private sector. We don't need the government to take our tax dollars and create government jobs just so they can pretend they did something to help the economy. Government spending can be a stimulus, but it is temporary and cannot be sustained
We need Trump in stark contrast to Hillary:
1. He tells it like it is, even if we don't want to hear it. Hillary lies to tell
People what they want to hear, then only when she gets caught does the truth come out of someone else's' mouth
2. National Security: Contrary to the media spin, Trump does want LEGAL Immigration; but he does not want ILLEGAL Aliens who want to destroy America. Hillary wants only Democrat immigrants and doesn't care
3. Economy: Trump knows how to balance a budget when you don't have a government printing press. Hillary will follow Obama with out of control spending and double the National Debt again, but this time it will go to $40 Trillion, and surely lead to the financial collapse of the United States; but the Washington insiders (Republican and Democrat) will have taken enough out of the system to live better than everyone else.
Trump is the only one who can stop this insanity
It is far better to have created jobs and lost some of them, than to never have created jobs at all
Hillary has never created one job in the Private sector. We don't need the government to take our tax dollars and create government jobs just so they can pretend they did something to help the economy. Government spending can be a stimulus, but it is temporary and cannot be sustained
We need Trump in stark contrast to Hillary:
1. He tells it like it is, even if we don't want to hear it. Hillary lies to tell
People what they want to hear, then only when she gets caught does the truth come out of someone else's' mouth
2. National Security: Contrary to the media spin, Trump does want LEGAL Immigration; but he does not want ILLEGAL Aliens who want to destroy America. Hillary wants only Democrat immigrants and doesn't care
3. Economy: Trump knows how to balance a budget when you don't have a government printing press. Hillary will follow Obama with out of control spending and double the National Debt again, but this time it will go to $40 Trillion, and surely lead to the financial collapse of the United States; but the Washington insiders (Republican and Democrat) will have taken enough out of the system to live better than everyone else.
Trump is the only one who can stop this insanity
2
You CAN fault him for that if you have a moral compass, care about humans, the environment, justice or law.
Randian greed is what got this nation into this mess. Forgiving it now is the last thing we want to do.
Randian greed is what got this nation into this mess. Forgiving it now is the last thing we want to do.
1
Mr. Trump is not a successful businessman. He has lied and cheated and bullied and bankrupted and lawsuited and exploited his way to success. But his roots are an large inherited fortune and figuring out angles.
His employees are often exploited and cheated. The history is out there to see. And good banks no longer want anything to do with him.
His employees are often exploited and cheated. The history is out there to see. And good banks no longer want anything to do with him.
Many readers have responded that this is obvious. Nevertheless it's important to let readers know the specifics. How much have Mr. Trump's advantages and ability to bilk the system cost the average tax payer? What could $885 million have bought in services, improved infrastructure and so on. How many schools, smaller bridges, parks, mass transit projects could this have improved? In other words, how do taxpayers lose? In an age where tax cuts are the holy grail, it would be good for middle-class folks to know that they pay disproportionately for public improvements that better our lives. Mr Trump is the antithesis of what a public servant should stand for: the betterment of the public.
86
He used legal available options to his advantage. He did not 'bilk' the system any more than a college student getting by on grants and scholarships. Smart man.
2
Why isn't he out there contributing to Habitat for Humanity or building houses for inner city victims, or sharing his "business expertise" in vocational support programs & volunteer coursework intruction for vets returning to the workforce-?
1
He is providing jobs, commendable indeed.
After reading this article and the lengthy article in NEWSWEEK titeled How the Trump Organization's Foreign Business Ties Could Upend U.S. National Security, addressing Trump's business and financial shenanigans here and in many countries overseas, there is no way that he is presidential material. He and the Trump Organization are involved in businesses that were or are still closely allied with powerful people in governments that do not like the US.
The question the NEWSWEEK poses is would Trump, once elected, side with with the Trump Organization to protect his business interest and his money or side with the US and its people. My bet is he would protect his interest and his organization and the oligarchs in the US and the heck with the rest of us, the middle class, the poor and underprivileged. Yes, I belief he would put US National Security at great risk. Prior to the election the news media has a responsibility to bring this out in the open for everyone to read and see.
The question the NEWSWEEK poses is would Trump, once elected, side with with the Trump Organization to protect his business interest and his money or side with the US and its people. My bet is he would protect his interest and his organization and the oligarchs in the US and the heck with the rest of us, the middle class, the poor and underprivileged. Yes, I belief he would put US National Security at great risk. Prior to the election the news media has a responsibility to bring this out in the open for everyone to read and see.
8
By the tone of the article I of course didn't miss the demonizing but stepping back-didn't Trump simply do what New York allowed him to do? if they didn't want new developments to get these tax breaks they should have taken them off the plate. In checking- it appears most developers take advantage of the same breaks-why wouldn't they? In the final analysis isn't everyone further ahead as a result of the Trump vision? I'd like a guy like this in my court.
5
The only court has ever played in is his own. That will never ever change. And you're naive to think it could.
1
The taxing authority made an investment offer and the investor took the financial risk. The intended result of these structured arrangements is an improvement in the overall economy versus worsening blight. We all win when this happens, some just win more. I am no fan of either candidate.
4
This article shows he is great at getting the best deal and that is what this country needs. I'm for Jill Stein because I want a president who is anti bombing and war... no offensive drone strikes. Also for the environment. I think Trump is the best second choice. With Trump presiding in the oval office we won't be negotating deals that Sell Out America like NAFTA, TPP and TTIP. This article shows he is great at getting the best deal how is that a negative? Hillary Clinton is a HAWK. What she did in Libya was a tragic mistake of great proportion showing extremely poor judgement and lack of character.
4
He could pay it back by giving $2.76 to every man, woman and child in the U.S.
1
Donald Trump is a hypocrite. Government, us the tax payers have helped Donald in his success. He just see us, government as bunch of suckers. He lives in a dog eat world and that is his vision for America.
3
Sooo, let me get this straight. The Republican billionaire running (as that party's candidate) for President of these here United States has been on the public dole for four decades?
8
Democratic leadership offered the tax breaks. Can't blame Trump for taking advantage, taking the risk, and benefitting the local economy as the tax breaks were designed to do employing thousands of construction workers then and thousands of service workers to this day.
2
Can you blame a surgeon for sewing you up with his old fishing line and justifying it because he charged you less for the operation? I would suspect the answer is yes. It's called ethics, just one of a long list of things Trump lacks.
Hey, if Trump wins, we ain't seen nothing yet. In the same bizarre way he used his semi-retraction of his birther crusade on Friday to both make another sleazy lie about Clinton and to, da da, promote his new luxury hotel, once he gets complete control of the federal government, well, deal after deal will not flow, but flood all Trump enterprises accompanied of course by tax breaks to fill his coffers under the guise of making Trump, er, the US great again. He will not rest until he is proclaimed by 'his' government to be not only the most powerful man in the United States but in a way more importantly the RICHEST man in the USA. Oh yeah, good times are coming(and no taxes to be paid either!).
7
I'm the best at beating tax codes!
3
"A Trump Empire Built on Inside Connections and $885 Million in Tax Breaks"
This was the top headline yesterday (Sept. 17), suddenly and very DISTRACTINGLY replaced by new headlines about a bomb in Chelsea that was set off in a dumpster injuring 29, but not killing anyone, maybe not even intended to kill anyone. That bomb - and the other found blocks away intact - has everyone in a sudden panic over possible terrorism, but seems a lot more to me like an incident intended to distract the news media from getting dangerously close to the money trail they were following.
Pickpockets work in pairs: one distracts the victim while the other robs him.
Don't be distracted... $885 Million is a lost of money in tax breaks alone, indicative of a lot MORE money unaccounted for. My sympathies for the ones injured in Chelsea's explosion, but don't let a couple of flashing lights distract you, NYTimes, from following the money!
This was the top headline yesterday (Sept. 17), suddenly and very DISTRACTINGLY replaced by new headlines about a bomb in Chelsea that was set off in a dumpster injuring 29, but not killing anyone, maybe not even intended to kill anyone. That bomb - and the other found blocks away intact - has everyone in a sudden panic over possible terrorism, but seems a lot more to me like an incident intended to distract the news media from getting dangerously close to the money trail they were following.
Pickpockets work in pairs: one distracts the victim while the other robs him.
Don't be distracted... $885 Million is a lost of money in tax breaks alone, indicative of a lot MORE money unaccounted for. My sympathies for the ones injured in Chelsea's explosion, but don't let a couple of flashing lights distract you, NYTimes, from following the money!
4
Yes! Those tax breaks were offered by the specifically Democratic leadership. Blame where blame is due.
2
While the article casts Trump in a very unfavorable light, it only mentions in passing the party affiliation of his enablers, top tier members of the New York Democratic establishment. In fact an establishment that HRC was very comfortable to join and participate in. The NY dems deserve equal credit for this rotten business.
2
trump was just a victim, as usual
th poor man is responsible for Nothing he does
like th birther fiasco
it was hillarys fault
1
There are two masters, and the one Trump believes in is pretty obvious. I refuse to put my trust in a man who deals behind closed doors, tells you what you want to hear, keeps his personal tax returns secret, seeks out special interests to serve himself, not others and certainly not God.
5
This article would seem to support Trump's assertion that he is an outsider. An insider wouldn't have to use the courts as much as he did to get New York City to give him the benefits their programs afforded developers. The very fact that he won time and time again in court is an indication that The Donald was on the right side of the law and the City and the administrations running them were not. The City and State get to make the rules. If they make bad rules that is on them but they can't be arbitrary in their application of the rules they author. It is the fiduciary responsibility of every company to its shareholders and of every individual to their family to take advantage of the incentives the government offers. If the government doesn't like their rules then it is their responsibility to change the rules for everyone, not just the people they don't like.
8
I’ve been in courts, and it’s not really a given that the right side of the law wins, if by right you mean the right thing to do. Trump can afford teams of lawyers and what those people are good at are finding ways to manipulate language and law to their benefit. American courtrooms almost always favor the wealthy.
Nice try but our government is increasingly bought and paid for by people like Trump.
The fact that Donald won in appeals courts, where judges are appointed rather than elected is evidence that he had insider protection. Let's see government stand up for the poor like we do for Donald Trump. Entitlements for all!
Three things:
1. The folks in the Basket will defend their stance to the death, because in their dysfunctional southern-style honor culture it's emasculating to admit you were wrong or weak in any way, and because in their thinking there have to be folks "inferior" to them so they can feel "superior" to *some*body. They're enraged at Hillary's depiction of them as deplorable because they know in their heart of hearts that it's true and they've been exposed to the world for the ugly convictions they hold, just as the Bible-tot'n' gun-clutchers were furious at candidate Obama's exposure of them.
2. The mainstream media need to take a page from the Trump/Fox playbook and publish many articles with headlines that ask questions: "Does Trump have business ties that would create a conflict of interest?" "Is Trump refusing to release his tax returns because they would expose his "falsehoods?" "Is Trump really a good businessman?" "Should the country be run like a Trump business?" "Is Trump psychologically fit?" You get the idea. Each such question is worth an article and would keep his name in the paper in a way that he doesn't control, while raising doubts about him among those who (incredibly) haven't yet decided whom to vote for. Then call him out: "Trump refuses to explain Russian ties"; "Trump lies about ..."
3. Debate moderators: state the facts within your questions so Hillary won't have to waste time refuting his "facts." Insist that he answer the questions you asked!
1. The folks in the Basket will defend their stance to the death, because in their dysfunctional southern-style honor culture it's emasculating to admit you were wrong or weak in any way, and because in their thinking there have to be folks "inferior" to them so they can feel "superior" to *some*body. They're enraged at Hillary's depiction of them as deplorable because they know in their heart of hearts that it's true and they've been exposed to the world for the ugly convictions they hold, just as the Bible-tot'n' gun-clutchers were furious at candidate Obama's exposure of them.
2. The mainstream media need to take a page from the Trump/Fox playbook and publish many articles with headlines that ask questions: "Does Trump have business ties that would create a conflict of interest?" "Is Trump refusing to release his tax returns because they would expose his "falsehoods?" "Is Trump really a good businessman?" "Should the country be run like a Trump business?" "Is Trump psychologically fit?" You get the idea. Each such question is worth an article and would keep his name in the paper in a way that he doesn't control, while raising doubts about him among those who (incredibly) haven't yet decided whom to vote for. Then call him out: "Trump refuses to explain Russian ties"; "Trump lies about ..."
3. Debate moderators: state the facts within your questions so Hillary won't have to waste time refuting his "facts." Insist that he answer the questions you asked!
10
R Nelson Your points are really good. I certainly hope the moderators take your advice . We should all email them asking them to do as you say..."state the facts" and insist he answers the questions.
2
This article is interesting, but it seems to miss the obvious point, namely, that serious bribery must be involved. It is not credible that the city and the courts would have acceded to so many outrageous requests for subsidies and tax breaks, even after they had been rejected by responsible city officials. They must be colluding with Trump under the table and this really needs to be looked into. It astonishes me that the Trump "empire" is not under major investigation for corrupt and illegal practices. We have just seen the tip of the iceberg, and I am sure there is more to come!
4
Seriously, the Democrats have had about a year to come up with something of substance and this is what we get? A non - story demonstrating Trump's business acumen without any wrongdoing. Tax breaks freely offered by the Democratic leadership, and you're trying to hang him for that? How pathetic.
2
Developers do lead the sweet life don't they? They almost never have any financial responsibility for the impacts of their activities and here in Arizona in fact are continually seeking handouts from the taxpayers while defacing the landscape with ticky tack. Downtowns are chock a block with huge corporate high rises whose owners often enjoy 20 years and more of token or zero, property taxes. Helps to have low friends in high places.
54
Mr. Big Stuff (aka The Donald) reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield in "Back to School." Rodney played a building contractor who went to college to be near his son, and made a fool out of the snobby, elitist economics professor who knew theory but not the real world. Many real estate developers use every trick in the book to make $, including payoffs, kickbacks, bribes, tax breaks, bankruptcy laws, threats, and general wheeling and dealing--like most politicians: men like LBJ, Huey Long, Boss Tweed of Tammany Hall, Richard J. Daley of Chicago, the Republican machine of Atlantic City as shown on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire." Big city machine politicians like Daley and Boss Tweed, and statewide political machines like the Byrd machine and the Long machine are tightly interwoven with real estate developers, building contractors, highway construction and paving companies, slumlords, public housing authorities, parking meter operators, and all other government contractors. This is how they get their money to get re-elected, keep power and give government jobs to their friends, family and political associates. The Donald, aka Mr. Big Stuff, has been part of this system his whole life, and he learned the "family business" from his dad.
The Tax Break Billionaire!
6
Trump is now threatening to sue the NYT, while he is on his best behavior as Candidate Trump.
Can you just imagine how a President Trump would react to media criticism?
No wonder he loves Putin.
Can you just imagine how a President Trump would react to media criticism?
No wonder he loves Putin.
11
On the 9/11, this article is pushing the line towards false light. The 9/11 claim was made by Rep. Crowley at the Democratic convention and fact checkers found yes, Trump did make the claim, but given the number of employees of the corporation that owns 40 Wall Street, it was a valid small business and did suffer economic losses. I don't know if you remember, but Lower Manhattan was dead, for weeks after 9/11.
1
Well good for Trump being smart enough to accomplish this. If he did not do it another builder would have. Trump has built a lot in NY and employed many people. And if taxes were not so outrageous in NYC and the U.S. companies would not relocate such as Ford announced last week one division is going to Mexico.
4
Janis You are aware, aren't you that Trump has a factory in Mexico. Why not ask him to relocate his factories in Mexico, China, etc. back to the U.S.?
5
Ethel - That's exactly how this gets started. One city offers tax incentives for a business to relocate, and so it does. Then other cities offer more incentives for the business to relocate when the original incentives expire. So are you suggesting that NY offer more incentives to Trump now?
Reagan said we are a "Shining City on a Hill". He wasn't kidding, the shine of corruption in a City of paper mache. Now we accept extortionists and corporate welfare cheats like the Trumps and the Waltons as the best we have to offer. When this election is over I hope there is an independent blue ribbon panel to develop a national agenda for reform of our elections.
7
It is quite alarming to learn that Trump's past misadventures, with handling money, are made more kenspeckle. His malicious and malignant attacks on whoever opposes his idee fixes about his own grandiosity, are becoming even worse than kindergarten skirmishes. As more of his unkind acts become publicized, many are turning aghast with his baleful intentions, causing insidious harm to others, potentially.
Looking at Hillary, however, her past has been highly dubious as well. Anyone equivocating whether to vote or not, might consider doing whatever is expedient. Voting for Hillary may be scowled at by many, but Trump presidency will likely spell an uncertain unctuousness.
Both candidates have skeletons in their closets, obviously a hackneyed expression, and the voters are in an unenviable position of choosing between the rock and hard place. Not an easy choice, by any stretch of fertile imagination.
Looking at Hillary, however, her past has been highly dubious as well. Anyone equivocating whether to vote or not, might consider doing whatever is expedient. Voting for Hillary may be scowled at by many, but Trump presidency will likely spell an uncertain unctuousness.
Both candidates have skeletons in their closets, obviously a hackneyed expression, and the voters are in an unenviable position of choosing between the rock and hard place. Not an easy choice, by any stretch of fertile imagination.
Hillary Clinton has revealed oveer 30 years of her tax returns. Trump has shown us nothing. What is he hiding? BTW, Bernie Sanders never showed his tax returns either.
3
Hillary Clinton resides in an entirely different moral universe from Donald Trump. Far more class, rationality, and historic integrity. Not to mention decades of commitment and success in the realm of public service. She is knowledgeable in the area of all-things foreign policy and her experience in office deserves positive (not negative) attention, if we were to be entirely fair. This is a candidate that can absolutely be trusted, and is deserving of far greater respect than what seems to be circulating.
3
An Empire Built on Five Trillion in Tax Breaks
$70 billion in tax exemptions every year go to Americans, as mortgage interest tax deduction. They are aimed at encouraging house building and upgrading. Just like for Trump.
They are legal. Just like for Trump.
They result in new houses being built. Just like for Trump.
The readers' venom about that is missing. Unlike for Trump.
$70 billion in tax exemptions every year go to Americans, as mortgage interest tax deduction. They are aimed at encouraging house building and upgrading. Just like for Trump.
They are legal. Just like for Trump.
They result in new houses being built. Just like for Trump.
The readers' venom about that is missing. Unlike for Trump.
2
Ok, since you brought up houses being built. In Massachusetts, there is a trend of builders buying up almost every house on the market, tearing it down, and reselling a cheap version for prices that don’t match the community. If a house goes for 250k, they tear it down, build something ugly, and resell for 500-600k. It’s obscene, and people who grow up in towns can’t afford to stay in them. So if that’s what you mean by being like Trump -- as in having enough money to take advantage of the housing market -- that I can see.
Who are you kidding that this 70 billion really reaches working or middle class Americans, in great numbers?
Who are you kidding that this 70 billion really reaches working or middle class Americans, in great numbers?
1
Trump refuses to release his tax returns. Hillary has released over 30 years worth. I do question Trumps honesty.
2
The same thing is happening all over Austin. Real estate developers buy up small, afforadable homes in central locations, tear them down, put up homes two or three times the size of the original house, and sell them for three or four times the selling price of the smaller home. Instead of leaving starter homes for couples and small families with modest incomes, they produce huge places that only the upper class can afford. Lower and middle-class families are being pushed out into the suburbs where there is no public transportation and the concept of a "walkable" neighborhood has never been heard of. People who can least afford that lifestyle are being forced into commuting and shopping by car, when they used to live in neighborhoods where they could walk or bike to work, school, or grocery stores.
Developers also push out small businesses downtown, build ginormous luxury condominiums, and leave a vacuum where cafés, small theaters, music clubs, and family businesses used to be.
Who profits? Real estate developers. Nobody else. The developers pretend to listen to the neighbors, who ask for things like sidewalks, public transportation, and green space. Then they produce plans with none of that, or as little of it as they can get away with. Then they turn around and sue the pants off of the city or anyone else who objects to their machinations and manipulations of the system.
Trump's tax plan, btw, also favors more tax breaks for these anti-social bullies. What a surprise.
Developers also push out small businesses downtown, build ginormous luxury condominiums, and leave a vacuum where cafés, small theaters, music clubs, and family businesses used to be.
Who profits? Real estate developers. Nobody else. The developers pretend to listen to the neighbors, who ask for things like sidewalks, public transportation, and green space. Then they produce plans with none of that, or as little of it as they can get away with. Then they turn around and sue the pants off of the city or anyone else who objects to their machinations and manipulations of the system.
Trump's tax plan, btw, also favors more tax breaks for these anti-social bullies. What a surprise.
3
This type of deal is common practice in the development world. So much so that any big project requires them. It really does support the Republican claim that taxes are too high and reducing them Spurs economic growth. Not supporting Trump and never will, but there is nothing wrong here.
6
What about the millions HRC received due to tax breaks? Wall Street gives her hundreds of thousands, if not millions, in "speaking fees" and deducts then as a business expense. Same for the Clinton foundation. Much better than a political donation which wouldn't have gotten you into the state department.
3
HRC has revealed over 30 years of tax returns. She is not hiding anything. Trump is . Has he really given money to charity?, What are his dealings with China and Russia?, etc.
2
I'll bite, where is the proof of these tax breaks?
1
The deductions aren't on her returns but on those of the Wall Street firms that gave her the money. Also, this isn't to defend trump only to point out HRC gets generous help from the tax code.
Trump is a good businessman because he always "makes" money, and that's the ONLY purpose of a good businessman and/or a corporation. Of course, contrary to the literal meaning of the verb "to make," money (wealth) is essentially not made but transferrred. Trump, like most businessmen/corporations, has never "made" any money, he has simply skimmed the money that true workers routinely make and give the government to build civil infrastucture (roads, bridges, schools, postal service, medicare, etc., meaning "that which an individual person can't build.") The problem with taxes, whether they are paid to the government or to Trump, is the skimming or, in Trump's case, the keeping of wealth for himself so that he can sit his ample derriere on gold chairs. The Third World is full of rulers who keep the people's wealth to themselves; Trump is just one more little Third World despot who happens to live in Manhattan... his penthouse looks just like Saddam Hussein's palace in Baghdad. Make him president and you'll see where the wealth you make by the sweat of your brow ends up: under Trump's ample derriere in a penthouse somewhere... after a copious dinner.
4
I see that Trumpy's supporters are up with an endless string of alibis, excuses, and just plain nuttiness.
They seem to think that a guy who's built his whole shabby career on insider trading, sleazy tax breaks, grabbing taxpayer money and then cheating taxpayers out of his commitments to them, then suing (thus chewing up MORE taxpayer money) when he gets called on it, loves them and will help them and take care of them.
They also think, stunningly, that a guy who's done nothing but cheat the government and taxpayers is an independent, John Galt type of a man who's built all that hisself.
Apparently the excuse is, let's get our own really good crook, liar, cheat and blowhard. Everybody else has one.
First off, no, they don't. Lots of builders, financiers, stockbrokers, lawyers and so on work hard, make money, and stay honest.
Second off, this guy's a piker, who's not really very good at it. If we had the reforms his supporters want, he'd be broke. And he WILL get chewed up by a guy like Putin.
Last--the Presidency's better than that. So's the government, so's the country. Your proposal to turn them over to a loudmouthed crook is disgusting, and a direct slap to everything good this contry stands for.
Shame on you, if you have any.
They seem to think that a guy who's built his whole shabby career on insider trading, sleazy tax breaks, grabbing taxpayer money and then cheating taxpayers out of his commitments to them, then suing (thus chewing up MORE taxpayer money) when he gets called on it, loves them and will help them and take care of them.
They also think, stunningly, that a guy who's done nothing but cheat the government and taxpayers is an independent, John Galt type of a man who's built all that hisself.
Apparently the excuse is, let's get our own really good crook, liar, cheat and blowhard. Everybody else has one.
First off, no, they don't. Lots of builders, financiers, stockbrokers, lawyers and so on work hard, make money, and stay honest.
Second off, this guy's a piker, who's not really very good at it. If we had the reforms his supporters want, he'd be broke. And he WILL get chewed up by a guy like Putin.
Last--the Presidency's better than that. So's the government, so's the country. Your proposal to turn them over to a loudmouthed crook is disgusting, and a direct slap to everything good this contry stands for.
Shame on you, if you have any.
7
Tax breaks are the way that government influences private enterprise to do something that is either not otherwise feasible or desirable to attempt. And Ed Koch, then mayor, was a Democrat. Don't these types of projects hire construction workers and service workers and use materials, all of which generate taxable activities? Don't people who visit NYC stay in these hotels and pay upwards of 10% tax on what they spend?
As you state, "Trump is not that different from many other developers."
As you state, "Trump is not that different from many other developers."
2
Why should a developer get to reap big profits while paying little in taxes, taxes that all the small businesses around them have to pay?
Maybe the city should build the hotels themselves and keep the profits to pay for the city services that visitors and commuters use and which the city taxpayers must provide.
Maybe the city should build the hotels themselves and keep the profits to pay for the city services that visitors and commuters use and which the city taxpayers must provide.
1
Donald Trump is as appealing as a NY cockroach or a sewer rodent, and he has been skillful at manipulating the system to achieve his goals - one of which is to indulge his outsized ego and do us great harm by seizing the power and prestige of the office of the presidency. This cannot happen. Just because his deals were legal does not mean they were ever in the long term interest of the working and middle classes who built the great city of New York. "All that glisters is not gold" - Trump demonstrates his tawdry vulgarity every time he opens his mouth. One can only hope this carbuncle on our body politic will soon be lanced and that we can return to the ordinary business of raising families, building schools - not imaginary walls, fixing the infrastructure, rescuing the planet, and restoring our country's sanity.
8
It is tax breaks such as this one that are destroying Our Country! Why is that Corps and in trumpy's case LLCs can get away so with not paying their Due Taxes on their Businesses and Business ventures. Will Hillary Fix this Humongous Defect or will she continue to allow such corps and LLCs to avoid their Financial responsibilities toward PAYING THEIR OWN DUE TAX BILL Rather then allowing to them to Make Deals of Wheels and Jump through a mass of loopholes that are severely damaging Our Country!
Why should a small LLC have to pay taxes but a large Corp or Large LLC doesn't have too?.
Why should a small LLC have to pay taxes but a large Corp or Large LLC doesn't have too?.
5
Isn't this exactly what we are supposed to do? Use the government tax breaks (they are incentives) for us to do what the Government asks us to do. They create tax breaks as incentives for the private industry to do what the Government wants done. So, in effect, he is helping the Government of NYC do what they want done. If you want to help the government in its job, go find where the tax breaks for industry are.
2
To all who had written in the comment section. You have the power and your and only your vote will not this reality TV guy unreality. Please don't sit at home, go and vote!
3
Are you honestly trying to convince me that the politicians do not take advantage of the information they collect. It is really hard to believe that they walk into their positions with very little and soon after have money up the ying yang by just collecting wages. I don't see you comparing that tax break to jobs, income, taxes paid by employees or how the income the employees made and still make helps the economy. If Trump wasn't running for President you would still be signing his praises and asking for his opinion.
4
Trump has lived off the taxpayers' dole. Now he wants to own them all outright.
6
VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE! And get 10 people you know to go vote, and get them to get 10 more!!! I don't want my young children growing up under a President Trump. (My God, my stomach literally turned just typing that!)
7
Amen. Make it a party. Get a group together for a potluck or a meal at a locally owned restaurant.
1
These facts regarding his tax "breaks" should be broadcast all over the country, even on FOX. Why do the rest of us have to pay, and we do, for his tax breaks?
4
Now on to full disclosure of subsidies for solar power and mass transportation.
2
You mean mass transportation of road/ highway/public buses, trains, subways upkeep? You mean the same mass transportation we all use some way or another so we and our families can travel safely? And the solar power -that helps with costs for millions including help save taxpayeers millions, since electric companies seem to stick to taxpayers any chance they get? Are those the programs you talk about? Because last time I checked..not just anyone can afford a Trump hotel, or residence, or to play at his exclusive golf courses.
2
Of course, let's create a diversion. Is someone promoting mass transit and solar power for their own benefit running for the presidency on a platform of unrigging the system? Trump is a perfect example of the rigged system he is railing about.
2
If your reporter thought this was going to damage Trump, he is wrong. It shows me that Trump well knows how to get things done, and knows how to use gov't programs for the public's benefit. So, he will know how to streamline gov't programs, decrease gov't employees; and 'get things done' to put companies back to business in America, creating new good jobs, not simple fast food and retail jobs like Obama thinks are great.
5
...for the public's benefit....
Did you actually have a straight face when you typed that?
Did you actually have a straight face when you typed that?
2
"If educated slickers refuse to bring us back to the 1950's, we trust a con man will" - so goes the fanciful thinking of a half of the American Electorate. Basket of deplorables? You bet.
2
Ok so he takes tax breaks he entitled to and hes a tax dodger. Heres a clue, we all take tax breaks we are entitled to. If you dont want people taking advantage of it dont offer it in the first place.
2
Do I blame Trump on this state of affairs? Heck, no. Trump's just doing what Trump does. And all the others who profit from those exceptional tax breaks.
It's all an insider's game, folks. It's all a big party begin thrown by "The Insiders," and you and I aren't invited. It's been that way from the beginning of the republic. There never were any "good old days."
It's all an insider's game, folks. It's all a big party begin thrown by "The Insiders," and you and I aren't invited. It's been that way from the beginning of the republic. There never were any "good old days."
1
We get it New York Times! You don't like Trump! But, all you have done is prove the fact that he is a great businessman! I think our country could benefit from a good businessman and not four more years of the same!
5
Really? Do great businessmen go bankrupt and stiff the people who work for them?
1
Abe Lincon did. Thomas Jefferson, as well... Great men, don't you agree?
Journalists and commentators keep asking whether Trump can separate his business 'empire' from his presidency. Yet he holds press conferences on golf courses and in new hotels in order to use his campaign to promote his business properties. So he answers their question right before their eyes: He will entangle the two because he is incapable of separating sectors that, in his own mind, fall under the heading of 'Donald's Stuff.' How can so many journalists and commentators be so blind? Thank you, NYT. fpr your vetting of this poser.
6
"... he holds press conferences on golf courses and in new hotels in order to use his campaign to promote his business properties."
Trump doesn't have to pay to use his own properties for campaign events. You should be impressed that Trump is so frugal.
Trump doesn't have to pay to use his own properties for campaign events. You should be impressed that Trump is so frugal.
2
Beth He probably also deducts the events as campaign events. But since he won't release his tax returns we don't know what he is hiding. Like his business dealings with China and Russia???
2
Too many in government or seeking government positions want to steal value from our institutions and resources for themselves, why is it so easy?
3
He did nothing wrong. He used and he is using the 421.a law that another human being wrote and some others approved for the good willing of all the developers. Now many of you are making noise because he is Donal Trump, the Republican candidate, but what about all the others?
Silverstein? RockRose, Corcoran? CornerStone? They all used 421.a.
I bought two properties under the 421.a and I got benefit too. So?
He sued. Good. He won and lost. Again...so?
Some judges vote in favor, some other denied the appeal and he lost.
Law doesn't admit ignorance.
Silverstein? RockRose, Corcoran? CornerStone? They all used 421.a.
I bought two properties under the 421.a and I got benefit too. So?
He sued. Good. He won and lost. Again...so?
Some judges vote in favor, some other denied the appeal and he lost.
Law doesn't admit ignorance.
1
He is no different than a leach or a tick. He is a parasite that not only lives off its host but spreads disease. We are able to cure or curtail some diseases but Trumpism is doing lasting damage to our society and body politic.
5
Republicans are infamous for trying to get as much taxpayer dollars as possible. If you check out GOP Convention events, they advertise workshops about tips on securing government funding. On the other hand, they complain about taxes, government spending, and deficits. You just can't have it both ways. It looks like Trump can and is succeeding it. King of Hypocrisy he is!
4
My cousin, a foreigner with only a high school degree (and not an A or B student) and no experience other than flight attendant is going to get a green card because she found some navy member who thinks she is great. She is by far the most undertrained of my relatives. So you can whine about Trump and Clinton and their connections, the worst thing is that at a very basic level of society, individuals who keep to the law and who rely on their skills are being excluded from rights and citizenship, while any dude can come, marry a citizen and get it all for free. That is so profoundly wrong with society: the complete lack of meritocracy in so many areas.
Gee that sounds like Trump's wife. A nude model who won't provide proof of how she came to be here and gain citizenship. At least a flight attendant actually does some real work.
2
Don the con. That says it all. He is running a con game on you all, including the feckless news media.
5
He has worked the system to his advantage by bullying and threatening to use his political powers. The man has mastered pay for play and avoided paying taxes that the average working and white collar worker must pay. I am talking about the street cleaners,the teachers, the doctors, the lawyers, the professors, the firemen and the police! People please wake up;he abuses the system and uses threats to get what he wants!
6
All the free rides given to NYC real estate developers are crushing the city's subways.
3
How?
I'm totally against Trump, but this article is so skewed. It places the blame on Trump, a greedy businessman, rather than on the politicians who granted him the tax abatements b/c Trump gave them financial contributions and other favors in return. It's a condoned form of corruption. If only it were illegal for government officials to accept private contributions period and if all elections were totally publicly funded. Then influence by businessmen and unions would go down the drain where they belong.
7
It's strange how legal tax breaks are only alright when rich radical liberal democrats like Hillary take them.
I guess the same standard applies to charitable foundation scams also.
I guess the same standard applies to charitable foundation scams also.
3
How is the charity a scam? Hillary has provided years worth of tax records and the charity is well regarded by the organizations that vet these things.
1
At the risk of sounding like a braggart--just like the Trump-- I want to say how proud I am of my sister, Karen Burstein, for investigating and exposing his "aberrant" accounting during his first foray into New York City proper as a builder with the Hyatt Hotel project. Then Auditor General for the City , her honorable self was brave for going after Trump at a time when he was the "boy wonder" of the City. I remember well his vicious retaliation and how Karen never backed down in the face of it.
5
The efficacy of statutory tax abatements is a legitimate topic of criticism. The fact that a businessman takes advantage of them legally is not. As long as the law allows it an army of lawyers and accountants will find ways for their clients to avail themselves of benefits lawmakers intended them to have.
2
What's wrong? Many states and cities use tax breaks to encourage business and bring jobs. Liberals, who oppose this, have to keep in mind that their job, yes, their job, might be the result of a tax break. Also if this was such an important issue why wasn't it headline news in the late 1970s? Why did not a brilliant reporter start reporting Trump's use of tax breaks and bankruptcy laws to became a successful business man from the start, follow him through his career, and expose him as a greedy capitalist? The fact is, is that Trump made New York what it is today. And he make America great again. Thank you.
5
....Trump made New York what it is today..,,
hahahah
Donnie....that you??
hahahah
Donnie....that you??
1
This is not nearly so much an incrimination of Trump as it is of the people who continue to give him the tax breaks.
4
Make America Great Again? Give me a break. Trump couldn't even make Atlantic City great. With all the time he spent there building casinos, he never spent any resource to beautify that city or help improve the quality of life of its denizens. And after he'd milked Atlantic City long enough to come out on top, he left the place in shambles, leaving behind unpaid contractors, closing shop and leaving thousands of workers out to dry.
8
Who was it that said something like "The people that negotiated these deal were stupid. We should tear up the agreements, make it a deal where we don't lose, and show them who's the boss!" I believe this strategy surely applies to NYC tax breaks...thanks for the suggestion Donald!
2
So? This is how business is done in the development world. You try to guide the development through tax abatements; some work better than others.
This does not come close to the inversions and offshoring of huge corporations. Apple, GE, Pfizer, and many others avoid paying taxes on actual profits; not hypothetical revenue from undeveloped projects. If you are a shareholder of these companies, you are also guilty of profiting from the system.
Trump would be stupid not to chase down every available dollar when his competitors do the same. If he becomes President, I hope he is just as dogged in negotiating the best deals, trade or otherwise.
This does not come close to the inversions and offshoring of huge corporations. Apple, GE, Pfizer, and many others avoid paying taxes on actual profits; not hypothetical revenue from undeveloped projects. If you are a shareholder of these companies, you are also guilty of profiting from the system.
Trump would be stupid not to chase down every available dollar when his competitors do the same. If he becomes President, I hope he is just as dogged in negotiating the best deals, trade or otherwise.
2
Trump is taking advantage of legitimate tax incentives available to every single developer in NYC. Why is this article so slanted as to make Trump seem like some two bit con artist? Can't the NY Times ever publish something that doesn't reek of partisanship and bias? What don't you research and write about the tax incentives (see 421a) that have been given to developers in the past 20 years that have expanded NYC's economy and raised real estate taxes dramatically? Come on guys, at least make believe your fair and balanced.
3
Do tax cuts lead to economic growth? Not according to the NY Times and many studies. So tax cuts for real estate developers and every other business only exist as a means for politicians to elicit bribes. Like with lobbyists and Citizens United, we've legalized corruption. To expand on what another commentator said, our economic system is "pat on the back, we'll take care of you" socialism for the rich, and "kick in the butt, get going" dog-eat-dog capitalism for the rest.
In 2004, Trump sought a loan from Deutsche Bank. He claimed he was worth $3.5 billion. The bank put Trump's net worth at $788 million. This is a little less than his NYC tax breaks. Is it possible that Trump's real net worth is only equal to the tax breaks he's gotten?
In 2004, Trump sought a loan from Deutsche Bank. He claimed he was worth $3.5 billion. The bank put Trump's net worth at $788 million. This is a little less than his NYC tax breaks. Is it possible that Trump's real net worth is only equal to the tax breaks he's gotten?
The NY Times just doesn't get it. I don't care that he doggedly pursued every tax break. Who walks away from free money? I don't care that he pays zero in personal income taxes. Who pays MORE taxes than legally required? He is a business person whose sole obligation is to his family and his family's business.
Trump supporters are voting for him BECAUSE he uses every LEGAL trick in the book, pushes every envelope and is unapologetic about doing so. Those are the traits that I expect him to utilize in the service of this country and its citizens.
Trump supporters are voting for him BECAUSE he uses every LEGAL trick in the book, pushes every envelope and is unapologetic about doing so. Those are the traits that I expect him to utilize in the service of this country and its citizens.
4
See this here? This is exactly why these guys vote for Trump.
Who cares that he lies? Who cares that he cheats, sues, threatens, bullies? Who cares if he trists or breaks the law? Who cares that he cheats THEM--this is taxpayer money, you know--because ha-ha, tee-hee, ho-ho, he's never going to cheat me. Though of course, he will. He already has, and soon's you have something he wants, he will cheat YOU more.
This is beyond imbecelic.
Who cares that he lies? Who cares that he cheats, sues, threatens, bullies? Who cares if he trists or breaks the law? Who cares that he cheats THEM--this is taxpayer money, you know--because ha-ha, tee-hee, ho-ho, he's never going to cheat me. Though of course, he will. He already has, and soon's you have something he wants, he will cheat YOU more.
This is beyond imbecelic.
1
The point of this article is absolutely clear. The Donald is the king of having other people subsidize his “free stuff”. His whole career has been about sticking other people with the bill. Do you actually believe that Don, once he becomes President, is going to see himself as working for you? It’s going to be the other way around. He will reneg on his promises, get as much as he can for himself, stick you with the tax bill and then scream about how the American people are suckers who deserve what they get.
1
Dems cry for blood over Trump's comparative molehill of issues, while overlooking Hillary's mountain. try rigorously vetting your own candidate.
5
Pardon us all to heck if we take going on for a billion dollars of taxpayers' money, and constantly twisting or breaking the law, weaseling out of commitments, and chewing up more tax money in lawsuits, seriously.
We're funny that way.
We're funny that way.
Not to diminish what Trump has done, but how is this any different than the now standard shakedown every big company does when locating a factory or distribution center these days? They line up states, counties and cities up against each other in a race to see who can give away more public money.
Even the professional sports teams do it by pitting cities against other cities and their own suburbs, then they shake down things like concessions and sales tax rebates. Some of the biggest welfare queens in America are the NBA, NFL and MLB.
Many conpanies do not stop at real estate tax abatements, some now seek out rebates of the payroll taxes collected from their employees. Where exactly does this kind of madness end?
I do not fault Trump as much asI fault the politicians that enacted such programs and continue to allow them.
Even the professional sports teams do it by pitting cities against other cities and their own suburbs, then they shake down things like concessions and sales tax rebates. Some of the biggest welfare queens in America are the NBA, NFL and MLB.
Many conpanies do not stop at real estate tax abatements, some now seek out rebates of the payroll taxes collected from their employees. Where exactly does this kind of madness end?
I do not fault Trump as much asI fault the politicians that enacted such programs and continue to allow them.
3
You have the shakedown backwards. The tax code in these cities is designed to give favors to the wealthy who pay to play. That's how they stay in office.
1
So you are proving Donald Trump is a shrewd and savvy entrepreneur, qualities you should want in a President. Characteristics so clearly missing in the current administration. Would Hillary have amassed a lifelong string of failures and bad decisions if she had these skills? The Clintons have one talent – “Wordsmithing”. Her entire campaign is based on her experience. Yet, neither the press nor the electorate will spend any time analyzing her “experience”. She doesn’t have a single accomplishment that can be cited by any liberal. Forgetting all the crimes she committed, just based on her resume, she would never be hired for any job in corporate America. Yet, the NYT journalists choose to only write endless biased diatribes in a desperate attempt to destroy Trump. They will also use false narrative to prop up Hillary. Bagli attempts to criticize Trump for legally making more profit, but fails to discuss the Clinton’s pay-to-play illegal profit schemes. Both candidates are by far the worst in history. However, there are two compelling reasons to vote for Trump though. One is that Hillary could alter the balance in the Supreme Court for generations to come by appointing liberals justices. If we go too far liberal or too far conservative, the very future of the country will be in doubt. Secondly, we desperately need change now. The President’s power is limited by congress, otherwise, this country would have sunken so much further into the abyss than it already has under Obama.
3
I am an independent voter and will not support Trump. I am also an avid NYT reader. But this article is a sad attempt at a hatchet job. Mr. Trump broke no laws in trying to get the best deal he could for himself. If anything, blame the city and state governments for handing out this tax breaks.
4
What is the fix to this problem?
3
I've heard some defend Trump on the grounds he was simply taking advantage of what was offered. However, using that same logic, perhaps the party he's representing should stop demonizing low-level folks on welfare. After all, they too are only taking advantage of what's offered. The prevailing attitude seems to be that when the wealthy manipulate the government for their own gain, they're savvy . When the marginalized do the same, they're moochers.
7
The question I have is did high taxes in NY make this kind of economic development impossible? Is the tax code in NY set up to favor rich developers who have the ability to get special deals?
It sounds like Mr. Trump and other rich developers are using the Democratic playbook of high taxes for their personal development because they have both bought their way around them or used the legal system to challenge them.
This sounds like a good argument for lower rates with no deductions or legal loopholes so that their is a level playing field.
Apparently the Democratic playbook of high taxes with deductions and other loopholes for the rich and connected is creating a very corrupt system. This is one of Donald Trumps arguments. It seems like he knows what he is talking about. The bigger question is why we would trust an insider and plutocrat to fix it over insider and Plutocrat Hillary Clinton?
It sounds like Mr. Trump and other rich developers are using the Democratic playbook of high taxes for their personal development because they have both bought their way around them or used the legal system to challenge them.
This sounds like a good argument for lower rates with no deductions or legal loopholes so that their is a level playing field.
Apparently the Democratic playbook of high taxes with deductions and other loopholes for the rich and connected is creating a very corrupt system. This is one of Donald Trumps arguments. It seems like he knows what he is talking about. The bigger question is why we would trust an insider and plutocrat to fix it over insider and Plutocrat Hillary Clinton?
2
Here we go again, a billionaire who exploit government and the “little people” for every thing he could get. Frankly, do you think he has your best interest at hearts?
He is a professional manipulator whose first interest is to boost his ego and get richer, he simply doesn’t care about the middle class.
He is a professional manipulator whose first interest is to boost his ego and get richer, he simply doesn’t care about the middle class.
6
To insinuate Trump or any developer is wrong or unethical for using public and or private tax breaks and or incentives is totally disgusting and politically motivated.
Why do benefits and or incentives exist? Why wouldn't a business person be motivated to take advantage of these?
New York Times should issue public apologies for such misleading journalism !!!!!!
Why do benefits and or incentives exist? Why wouldn't a business person be motivated to take advantage of these?
New York Times should issue public apologies for such misleading journalism !!!!!!
3
You should look up the detail and find out how he lied and cheated and bullied and bankrupted and lawsuited and underpaid. It's all out there. This article is rather moderate, compared to the real history.
This is facts, not stories. And Trump is not any developer. He is a bully who hurts people.
This is facts, not stories. And Trump is not any developer. He is a bully who hurts people.
The sad truth is the double standard - Trump is a smart businessman because he does not pay his contractors, uses the courts and political connections to get the deal done and the average American without the benefit of loopholes foots the bill. It's sad that his supporters approve graft and greed. Do they think that he will do anything for them? He's just using them. He will be bring Washington to a new low - he's not an outsider - he's the 0.1% using the courts and politics to benefit himself. What is worse is that he and his supporters condone hate and violence.
3
This article proves to me that Drumpf doesn't want to govern the country and put up with the republicans in congress for 4 years for a mere $400,000 a year.
He wants to make his own media corporation off of his loss to "lying crooked Hilary". He will get all his deplorable xenophobes and homophobes and his 2nd amendment folks all riled up to believe the election was stolen and he will have the last laugh as he rakes in billions from his Drumpf network.
Read what Donny Deutch has to say about a man he knows VERY well.
He wants to make his own media corporation off of his loss to "lying crooked Hilary". He will get all his deplorable xenophobes and homophobes and his 2nd amendment folks all riled up to believe the election was stolen and he will have the last laugh as he rakes in billions from his Drumpf network.
Read what Donny Deutch has to say about a man he knows VERY well.
3
Many readers seem to miss the importance of this story. The point isn't that Trump did anything wrong by availing himself of tax breaks. The point is that this
a) undermines the impression he tries to establish of himself of a brilliant self-made businessman, a key argument for his candidace; and
b) shows what happens when the tax code is tailored to suit the interests of wealthy businessmen, something that's unlikely to change if you elect one of those wealthy businessmen president.
a) undermines the impression he tries to establish of himself of a brilliant self-made businessman, a key argument for his candidace; and
b) shows what happens when the tax code is tailored to suit the interests of wealthy businessmen, something that's unlikely to change if you elect one of those wealthy businessmen president.
9
We don't want a rip off artist in the White House who bankrupts the country!
1
Back in the day, quantitative easing wasn't required as a req'd form of assurance to investors that our failure would not become their failure.
Times have apparently changed.
Times have apparently changed.
The reporter clearly does not understand that the City did not give trump money. Trump created a tax base for the city. If the city or others could have built all these developments, why didn't they? The readers are not intelligent enough to understand that no money was given to Trump by the City.
Sorry, New York Times, but there will be no pulling a "Romney" on Trump.
2
Chuck Todd on Meet the Press just did what the press has done all year, ignore Trumps lies and scandals, and ask Tim Kaine about Clinton's "trust issues" and "transparency problems. Inuendo continues to magnify the minutia.
2
I was shocked by the number of comments of the opinion that constantly gaming the system makes Trump a great business man. This wasn't Trump the Genius at work, folks, it was his stable of lawyers and accountants busy grinding for their paychecks. Together, they managed to bleed government coffers and cheat individual workers and small businesses for their own gain.
Trump completely lacks altruism, empathy and compassion. Zero. He doesn't care about you or me or "his" veterans or "his" African-American anyone else. It's all about Trump and the money and adulation he needs to feed his gigantic, diseased ego.
Trump completely lacks altruism, empathy and compassion. Zero. He doesn't care about you or me or "his" veterans or "his" African-American anyone else. It's all about Trump and the money and adulation he needs to feed his gigantic, diseased ego.
7
The selfish bald Donald( yes, he wears a wig) cannot become our next President.
He has no governmental experience, He reveres Putin, he has no idea how to manage the various departments of our government, he will screw things up so much that America will have to start all over again. Like her or not, Hillary, knows how government works.
He has no governmental experience, He reveres Putin, he has no idea how to manage the various departments of our government, he will screw things up so much that America will have to start all over again. Like her or not, Hillary, knows how government works.
1
If Trump ever becomes the President by the end of his Presidency he will be the richest man in the world surpassing both Buffet and Gates combined
1
you forgot th koch bros and putin
1
The dark and ugly Trump World Tower is an eyesore on the skyline and overwhelms the UN.
5
As much as I blame Mr Trump I would blame 10 times the people who gave him the break
2
Wow. A businessman maximizes profits by taking advantage of the law.
Stop the presses.
Stop the presses.
4
Donald and his confreres love to write morality plays about the takers...kids who get reduced school lunches, the uninsured, mothers who get SNAP when they are the biggest takers in the country to fund their billionaire life style.
5
This is why these hypocrites have no arguments besides deflection.
1
New York City real estate crooks lusting after tax breaks? I'm also shocked that there's gambling going on in this establishment! More shocking still is seeing The Times morph from a long-time promoter into critic of this activity and industry. Sorry but you're as much to blame for Trump as anyone. He's been around for a long time and tough to overlook, 'shining and stinking like rotten mackerel by moonlight.'
3
Some seem to accept Trump's way of doing business: as long as it's legal it's acceptable. Whatever happen to ethics? But, what am I saying? It's Trump we're talking about. And it is Free Enterprise after all where porkers of his ilk are given a free ride to freely pick your pockets.
2
It is nauseating to know that our taxpayer dollars has helped to fill the pockets of this leach.
4
Even the Times leading this smear charge against Trump got tax breaks...
"In addition, the city has agreed to give the Times Company tax breaks and other incentives worth about $29 million, the executives said.
Some real estate executives and urban planners complained that the city and state had given the Times Company a generous deal, by selling the land at what they called a below-market price and by granting tax breaks for such prized real estate."
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2001/02/28/nyregion/deal-reached-to-acquire-la...
"In addition, the city has agreed to give the Times Company tax breaks and other incentives worth about $29 million, the executives said.
Some real estate executives and urban planners complained that the city and state had given the Times Company a generous deal, by selling the land at what they called a below-market price and by granting tax breaks for such prized real estate."
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2001/02/28/nyregion/deal-reached-to-acquire-la...
1
I just despise this charlatan, this greedy, self aggrandizing, lying phoney who never acted outside of his own interests. The supporters who fawn over him make me sick with worry for the future of our country.
2
If the government allows these tax breaks only a stupid business person would not take advantage of them, and Trump is not stupid. All business people take advantage of these breaks so why is this news? States and cities that want to attract big businesses advertise the tax breaks they are willing to give. New York certainly advertises. States and cities compete to have businesses and developers go to their locales so they can attract people. Who wants to live in a place that is a ghost town?If there are no people, there is no tax revenue. Government offers these things because in the end, it is for the public good. If the developer doesn't make money, then why bother?
2
Yes, but the media (and voters) seem to have one standard for Donald Trump where actual personal profit making through the letter of the law is permissible, and another standard for Hillary Clinton who has neither profited personally through her charitable work nor through her life long public service and yet her actions are continually called into question and subject to a scrutiny unparalleled in history. That has been the case since her entry on the national scene in 1992.
So, Mr Trump is involved in politics and takes advantage of tax breaks, I'm shocked, next thing you'll tell me is that Mr Trump is an entrepreneur.
Leaving nearly $1bil on the table is akin to malpractice, incompetence, negligence in any other profession. Being in "relentless pursuit" is required to succeed in any endeavor.
What am I missing?
Leaving nearly $1bil on the table is akin to malpractice, incompetence, negligence in any other profession. Being in "relentless pursuit" is required to succeed in any endeavor.
What am I missing?
1
If Trump is elected President, investigations would begin immediately into his tax returns, his business dealings in the U.S. and overseas, his contributions to politicians, his alleged ties to criminal organizations. Like former Vice-President Spiro Agnew, he might have to resign or face criminal indictment.
2
I detest Donald Trump! That said, I also understand that these tax breaks make some sense. As the article pointed out, the taxes owed during multiple years of construction might be prohibitive when no money is coming in and a great deal is going out. A tax break sounds reasonable for the eventual taxes and economic activity a project might produce in the long run. But, 40 years? That is obscene!!!
A tax break for the eventual purchasers of the apartments also seems reasonable to promote their sale and help ensure the project's success. But, 10 years is ridiculous! Even more outrageous is the amount of those tax breaks for new owners. Even though the tax amount increases to the full tax amount over those ten years, property taxes of $617 in the first year, instead of the almost $33,000 actual taxes, is nothing short of ripping off tax payers! The people who can AFFORD that type of expense certainly do not deserve a $32,000 discount!
Especially NOT, when working class people, like myself, end up paying income taxes on a wage that doesn't cover all the necessities of life, let alone any small luxuries!! It is the laws that need to change. Trump may not have done anything illegal, but morally? Hmm. His rabid persistence demonstrates how dangerous it would be to elect him. Like he won't make foreign policy decisions based on his own financial interests even if they are in a blind trust. If you disagree, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to show you.
A tax break for the eventual purchasers of the apartments also seems reasonable to promote their sale and help ensure the project's success. But, 10 years is ridiculous! Even more outrageous is the amount of those tax breaks for new owners. Even though the tax amount increases to the full tax amount over those ten years, property taxes of $617 in the first year, instead of the almost $33,000 actual taxes, is nothing short of ripping off tax payers! The people who can AFFORD that type of expense certainly do not deserve a $32,000 discount!
Especially NOT, when working class people, like myself, end up paying income taxes on a wage that doesn't cover all the necessities of life, let alone any small luxuries!! It is the laws that need to change. Trump may not have done anything illegal, but morally? Hmm. His rabid persistence demonstrates how dangerous it would be to elect him. Like he won't make foreign policy decisions based on his own financial interests even if they are in a blind trust. If you disagree, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to show you.
3
These predator business tactics are disgusting. However I feel like this will bolster Trump's and his supporters argument that he can make great deals. Is that not what he did here? He has able to negotiate better tax rates from the government as compared to other developers. What he always neglects to point out is he does so at the expense of everyone else.
1
This guy is a crook taking advantage of what other crooks have "legally" set up to benefit themselves. Next person that complains to me about welfare recipients and Democratic Communism, will receive a copy of this article.
3
Who makes the laws that benefit real estate developers? Who contributes the the campaigns of those who eventually make the laws that benefit real estate developers so they can make insane amounts of money?
3
So Trump and others the NYTimes doesn't like should not take advantage of lawful subsidies? Those programs are usually put in place to incentive investment, which, among other things, creates jobs.
There are plenty of things to criticize Trump about but when this paper goes after him for lawful conduct it makes the NYTimes news pages look more like editorial ones.
There are plenty of things to criticize Trump about but when this paper goes after him for lawful conduct it makes the NYTimes news pages look more like editorial ones.
3
Hold on here. These incentives are available to all who qualify. We may be dismayed by the land grants given to the railroad building pioneers in this country but that is how growth happens. The old toll roads and bridges so essential to the colonials were privately built with government permission and tolls went to the owners. Ordinary folks were able to get across rivers without fording them as a result. Building infrastructure essential for the common good deserves some incentives and rewards. Get over it.
1
So Trump has this complicated, intertwined complex of real estate, golf courses, whatever all over the world. If he, god forbid, ever became president, he would be obligated to separate his presidency from his investments due to a possible conflict of interest between being president and owning an empire.
Ivanka says daddy said he would put it in a blind trust and the "kids" would run it. Sorry, Ivanka - doesn't work that way. BLIND trust means the person has no idea where the money is invested. So would Donald have to sell off all his assets so the blind trust can happen or do we still have family administer it with a wink and a nod to "blind" trust?
Donald thinks he can bully his way thru life, but hopefuly somewhere Donald is going to meet with destiny and have to stand up like a man and take it.
Ivanka says daddy said he would put it in a blind trust and the "kids" would run it. Sorry, Ivanka - doesn't work that way. BLIND trust means the person has no idea where the money is invested. So would Donald have to sell off all his assets so the blind trust can happen or do we still have family administer it with a wink and a nod to "blind" trust?
Donald thinks he can bully his way thru life, but hopefuly somewhere Donald is going to meet with destiny and have to stand up like a man and take it.
2
There's no end to how sleazy and greedy Trump is!
This makes Hillary getting paid money for speeches look like small potatoes. At least it was Wall Street that paid her and not the NYC taxpayers.
Paul Ryan wants to end free school breakfasts and lunches for 'greedy' poor children - presumably to stop spending the taxpayers money on free food for hungry kids. Why does Ryan hate free school breakfasts and yet is okay with Trump squeezing money out of taxpayers just for his personal profit?
The GOP - sheesh. No end to their cynicism and greed.
This makes Hillary getting paid money for speeches look like small potatoes. At least it was Wall Street that paid her and not the NYC taxpayers.
Paul Ryan wants to end free school breakfasts and lunches for 'greedy' poor children - presumably to stop spending the taxpayers money on free food for hungry kids. Why does Ryan hate free school breakfasts and yet is okay with Trump squeezing money out of taxpayers just for his personal profit?
The GOP - sheesh. No end to their cynicism and greed.
2
Nice story. Totally irrelevant.
It's like saying A-Rod is corrupt because the Yankees paid him over $200 million for a contract.
Honestly, the anti Trump rhetoric is out of control.
It's like saying A-Rod is corrupt because the Yankees paid him over $200 million for a contract.
Honestly, the anti Trump rhetoric is out of control.
2
Now the reason for Trump hiding his tax returns is a lot clearer. Perhaps he has earned the moniker Tax Break Billionaire. He is a pompous and vapid scallywag at best.
4
Make America great again? No, he has only been out for himself. Like one commenter already said, he is posing as an outsider where he is truly an insider. This is why all Americans should see his tax returns. As Americans find it harder to make ends meet, the Donald got $885 million in tax breaks?
3
To the authors of comments stating that they see nothing wrong with what Trump did:
Nothing wrong with threatening to have someone fired if he doesn't get the tax break he wants?
Nothing wrong with taking advantage of a tax break intended for businesses that were damaged by 9/11 for an undamaged building?
Really?
Nothing wrong with threatening to have someone fired if he doesn't get the tax break he wants?
Nothing wrong with taking advantage of a tax break intended for businesses that were damaged by 9/11 for an undamaged building?
Really?
4
So everything Donald has done and continues to do is on the up and up, legal, tidy, no problems, just a constant positive cash flow using the brand "Trump". Wonderful. Nothing like taking the taxpayer dollar to make yourself rich - no one forced Donald to do that, he did that all on his own. So rather than stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, Donald did everything in reverse, stealing from the poor taxpayer and giving it to himself - and it's all legal says this article.
So Donald says he's for the working class, 25 million new jobs, etc. I guess he needs new revenue streams for his tax schemes because the old ones are maturing out. Nothing like taking the poor taxpayer's dollars to line your own pockets and his followers think he's doing them a favor. Incredible.
So Donald says he's for the working class, 25 million new jobs, etc. I guess he needs new revenue streams for his tax schemes because the old ones are maturing out. Nothing like taking the poor taxpayer's dollars to line your own pockets and his followers think he's doing them a favor. Incredible.
1
So the latest Republican tycoon whose business smarts will save the country is just another welfare queen. As usual.
4
How much of the $885 million tax break 'trickled down', and what percentage of these properties catered to low to middle income families? Inquiring minds want to know. On second thought, forget I asked.
The only thing the presidency will do for The Donald is open up west of the Hudson to more similar deals.
The only thing the presidency will do for The Donald is open up west of the Hudson to more similar deals.
3
So is the NYT saying that the politicians in NYC and in Albany are saints. For that matter those in every community across this country are?
Why aren't you pointing out the hundreds of ad's your New York State government is running all across the country touting to any business who wants to relocate to your state that they will forgive "ALL TAXES" for ten years. Just come and hire New Yorkers..... NO TAXES for you.
If your politicians are fools enough to offer any business person such a lucrative deal at the expense of the taxpayers, don't try pinning the blame on the businessman.
But what else to expect from a liberal operation, especially when you make it appear that only republicans take advantage of dumb liberal elected officials? Detroit ring any bells?
Why aren't you pointing out the hundreds of ad's your New York State government is running all across the country touting to any business who wants to relocate to your state that they will forgive "ALL TAXES" for ten years. Just come and hire New Yorkers..... NO TAXES for you.
If your politicians are fools enough to offer any business person such a lucrative deal at the expense of the taxpayers, don't try pinning the blame on the businessman.
But what else to expect from a liberal operation, especially when you make it appear that only republicans take advantage of dumb liberal elected officials? Detroit ring any bells?
Politicians pass law providing tax incentives for redevelopment projects. Developer applies for incentive for his project. Developer receives tax incentive. No fire here. Not even smoke.
4
And imagine what tricks are in his more recent tax returns---oh I forgot, those aren't "any of our business".
3
The entire real estate industry gets tax breaks from the politicians in NYC.
5
How, exactly, does the NYT think all those sky-high buildings get built in NY? Trump, who I find an execrable person, is simply doing what all of your NYT buddies do, regardless of personality styles or political leanings.
The politicians who set the rules and the legal and illegal mafias who profit from them are all living from the fat of this land via tax breaks and leg breaks. That applies to Washington or LA or Chicago or Podunk.
If the NYT was an honest paper as it used to be you would attack the root cause not just an individual who opposes "your girl" who has also spent her life on the margin of legality to make a fortune. You won't give the other woman, Jill Stein, the time of day.
You've no shame left.
The politicians who set the rules and the legal and illegal mafias who profit from them are all living from the fat of this land via tax breaks and leg breaks. That applies to Washington or LA or Chicago or Podunk.
If the NYT was an honest paper as it used to be you would attack the root cause not just an individual who opposes "your girl" who has also spent her life on the margin of legality to make a fortune. You won't give the other woman, Jill Stein, the time of day.
You've no shame left.
4
Trump is taking advantage of the tax laws that are legally available to him. We can complain that he is not ethical in taking advantage of them, but that is an argument of no consequence. If we find this activity to be of questionable value to the economic development of NYC, the state of NY or the USA, we need to assume the responsibilty of taxpayers and citizens to let our legislators know that we do not approve and vote for legislators whom we believe are working for the greater good.
Whining about Trump's greed is wasted effort. Voting for him demonstrates a woefully misinformed citizen. It's amazing how many obviously very frustrated US citizens are committed to endorsing his demagoguery. It raises painful questions about the viability of our political system and whom it is really serving.
Whining about Trump's greed is wasted effort. Voting for him demonstrates a woefully misinformed citizen. It's amazing how many obviously very frustrated US citizens are committed to endorsing his demagoguery. It raises painful questions about the viability of our political system and whom it is really serving.
32
I also think that he continually breaks the law with impunity and payoffs - he is a Crook.
1
Socialism for the rich capitalism for the poor.
Trump really had to work his way to the top.
Trump really had to work his way to the top.
7
So Trump is on the public dole... and he has successfully sued local government to get everything he is owed. Rather more aggressive than the average GOP voter's fantasy of the welfare queen, but cut from the same cloth of entitlement.
8
When will t.v. news feature such stories as this one? Most Trump supporters are not readers.
5
How can it ever change with American business in bed with our politicians? It's a symbiotic relationship that the rest of us are left out of. There is no incentive for them to change...they're fat and happy. I've seen more blogs lately promoting term limits for Congress. Article V of the Constitution includes a provision to bypass Congress. A Term Limits Convention permits "we the people" to impose the necessary term limits on Congress. The second necessity is to change tax laws, closing the loopholes that the uber wealthy enjoy to protect and increase their wealth. We need to worry less about foreign terrorists and focus more on our home-grown terrorists better known at the 1% and Congress.
3
Trump has simply taken advantage of tax abatements in the same way that every New York developer does. He didn't make the system.
But he has screwed over vendors and declared bankruptcy far more than any other developer of his stature.
But he has screwed over vendors and declared bankruptcy far more than any other developer of his stature.
3
This article speaks more to the city's poor articulation of tax laws and subsidies than it does to Trump. He exploited what was available. Perhaps the city's Public Advocate might get some tax laws revised per articles such as this, especially since housing for the poor and lower incomes is so needed in the city.
As for Trump, he is an "exploiter" in every sense of the word in every possible venue. I look forward to the day when we see his tax returns to determine what proportion of his wealth does he give back to the city which has served him well economically and to those of its citizens who are not as exploitive as he is!
As for Trump, he is an "exploiter" in every sense of the word in every possible venue. I look forward to the day when we see his tax returns to determine what proportion of his wealth does he give back to the city which has served him well economically and to those of its citizens who are not as exploitive as he is!
39
Total and bigly national embarrassment. No one should trust this sad man. And, no national or international leader will if he were to win.
The man is currently a puppet. Reading others' thoughts and words off a teleprompter. Totally controlled by his team. Some people are saying that they think they saw a hand running up into his jacket the other day and it was moving his mouth. His campaign CEO or manager? Hmmm ... makes one wonder who will really be running the country if he wins???
He does kind of remind me of the Muppet show ... the two old guys in the wings arguing their bizarre points of views with each other (yes, he's both of them at the same time), only to forget the nonsensical points they were debating by the end of their conversation ... interrupted by the dufus clown act of Fozzie Bear that was only funny because you were laughing at him, not his jokes (he is the joke) ... and then topped off by the crazy bombastic idiocy of Gonzo's self implosions, which often impacted those around. Yep, the Muppet Show. Brought to you by the letters U.S.A. and the Mr. Zero. (My apologies to the Muppets for the comparison).
The man is currently a puppet. Reading others' thoughts and words off a teleprompter. Totally controlled by his team. Some people are saying that they think they saw a hand running up into his jacket the other day and it was moving his mouth. His campaign CEO or manager? Hmmm ... makes one wonder who will really be running the country if he wins???
He does kind of remind me of the Muppet show ... the two old guys in the wings arguing their bizarre points of views with each other (yes, he's both of them at the same time), only to forget the nonsensical points they were debating by the end of their conversation ... interrupted by the dufus clown act of Fozzie Bear that was only funny because you were laughing at him, not his jokes (he is the joke) ... and then topped off by the crazy bombastic idiocy of Gonzo's self implosions, which often impacted those around. Yep, the Muppet Show. Brought to you by the letters U.S.A. and the Mr. Zero. (My apologies to the Muppets for the comparison).
5
With $885 million in tax breaks even I could get pretty rich...
7
It’s hard to find a bigger, more obnoxious liar and poseur than Donald Trump in American politics. Maybe not so weirdly, as much as his triviality is monumental, as much as he is vain and self-obsessed, is his lack of any talent or ability except for self-promotion. It has to be some kind of tribute – and reckoning, Americans about other Americans – to the negative possibilities of the human ape to see Trump getting so much support. This has to speak to how many Americans are unable to distinguish between real achievement as opposed to a reality tv character who boasts of his (apparent) wealth and whose “strength” is measured by the number of insults and put-downs he can throw out. Those people impressed by Trump don’t see, apparently, how thin-skinned Trump is – how he can dish it out but can’t take it in return. Inured as we are by now to such an abomination of a human being it is still no small disappointment to discover how many of these kinds of people there are in America, until one realizes that the people who support him notably come from the old Confederate South, or from, in general, a demographic of poor, white, male, and uneducated, the kind of people who believe the Marvel Comics characters are real and solutions to the country’s problems can be solved as simply as a Hollywood ending to a Marvel Comics movie.
9
Did he gave tax breaks to himself or the system/government did it? He is a businessman so far and his behavior so for cannot be different from a businessman. He did what every businessman/women does to run his business for profit. He is yet to take over as President, let us see how he deals with his business enterprise after serving as President?
2
Trump gets to reduce his tax liability over 40 years by building a building, creating jobs, and providing opportunities for businesses to do the same, all with the blessings of government.
Solyndra got $500M in one year in a bailout from a sitting POTUS, who then was re-elected. The result: No net jobs, no products, just a complete and total waste.
This article is delusional. The author continues the lie that a "tax break" is somehow taking money away from you. Assuming that's true, and assuming the reader and the author are familiar with the concept of "logic", then every tax break a homeowner takes (mortgage interest deduction, retirement account deduction, etc.) is also taking money away from you. Every tax break deprives the government of money - whether it's 1 business getting a 40 year tax break or 90M homeowners getting a $10K tax break for 40 years, you're still robbing the government.
My logic is solid. The author's is the same Progressive lie. What's yours? Are you irrational and deluded like a Progressive?
Solyndra got $500M in one year in a bailout from a sitting POTUS, who then was re-elected. The result: No net jobs, no products, just a complete and total waste.
This article is delusional. The author continues the lie that a "tax break" is somehow taking money away from you. Assuming that's true, and assuming the reader and the author are familiar with the concept of "logic", then every tax break a homeowner takes (mortgage interest deduction, retirement account deduction, etc.) is also taking money away from you. Every tax break deprives the government of money - whether it's 1 business getting a 40 year tax break or 90M homeowners getting a $10K tax break for 40 years, you're still robbing the government.
My logic is solid. The author's is the same Progressive lie. What's yours? Are you irrational and deluded like a Progressive?
3
what in the world are you talking about?
1
Ouch, Karlos. You missed a few details there. The NYT article hit all the valid points.
1
You've missed the point entirely. Trump demands government subsidies, sues when he doesn't get them, reneges on his deals, profits only because he doesn't pay taxes (or even minimum wage, or his debts, as other articles have pointed out), and then bad mouths the whole system by which he made his money. "Make America great again" is Trump for re-establishing and reinforcing a system in which he and those like him can profit hugely on the backs of the average American. Fabulous.
1
They don't call him Don the Con for nothing.
13
Welfare for the rich with your tax dollars. The GOP recipe for the rich only.
10
So what else is new. As if we didn’t know this before, although it’s good to see it spelled out in detail.
We can then take the next step, as James Stewart did in his column two or so months ago. Donald Trump pays no income tax. I saw on a TV crawl, “New York Times: Donald Trump pays no income tax.” I went “Wow, the Times has seen Trump’s tax returns,” and expected what I saw on the crawl to get a lot of media play. Nothing. Then I saw why. The “New York Times” was actually the Stewart column. Stewart did not have access to the Trump tax returns. His column enumerated the tax breaks and other tax savings, plus tax savers to Trump individually, and concluded, no income tax.
None of this will impact the presidential race.
There is a legal doctrine called libel proof. A plaintiff can win a libel case and yet get no damages. His or her reputation is already so bad that this new libel from this plaintiff has caused him/her no damage. Trump is libel proof in reverse. There is so, so much out there, Trump University and racial discrimination in the Trump properties just for starters, plus all of Trump’s Twitter outrages and zig zags on issues, that nothing sticks.
As I like to put it, to make the same point, all Bill Clinton had to do when the Monica Lewinsky business became public was to admit it and add, maybe, that it was the best sex he had had in years. Two day story. This is Bill Clinton, the king of “bimbo eruptions.”
We can then take the next step, as James Stewart did in his column two or so months ago. Donald Trump pays no income tax. I saw on a TV crawl, “New York Times: Donald Trump pays no income tax.” I went “Wow, the Times has seen Trump’s tax returns,” and expected what I saw on the crawl to get a lot of media play. Nothing. Then I saw why. The “New York Times” was actually the Stewart column. Stewart did not have access to the Trump tax returns. His column enumerated the tax breaks and other tax savings, plus tax savers to Trump individually, and concluded, no income tax.
None of this will impact the presidential race.
There is a legal doctrine called libel proof. A plaintiff can win a libel case and yet get no damages. His or her reputation is already so bad that this new libel from this plaintiff has caused him/her no damage. Trump is libel proof in reverse. There is so, so much out there, Trump University and racial discrimination in the Trump properties just for starters, plus all of Trump’s Twitter outrages and zig zags on issues, that nothing sticks.
As I like to put it, to make the same point, all Bill Clinton had to do when the Monica Lewinsky business became public was to admit it and add, maybe, that it was the best sex he had had in years. Two day story. This is Bill Clinton, the king of “bimbo eruptions.”
1
So Trump the populist is actually Trump, the crony capitalist. Unfortunately, if its legal he'll just brag about how he "used" the system and in the eyes of his devotees that will just make him more attractive.
10
So much of his behavior reminds me of a class I took in graduate school called "Abnormal Psychology" while I was working on my MA in guidance counseling - one thing that sticks out in particular, every time I watch or read about Donald Trump's behaviors and speech, is:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
It's a rare diagnosis- but it's very dangerous, as many of these people manage to stay out of jail (unlike sociopathic disordered people) because of their mastery of manipulation tactics, masquerade of charisma overshadowing true lack of empathy for others, and habitual tendency to disown and deflect blame.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
It's a rare diagnosis- but it's very dangerous, as many of these people manage to stay out of jail (unlike sociopathic disordered people) because of their mastery of manipulation tactics, masquerade of charisma overshadowing true lack of empathy for others, and habitual tendency to disown and deflect blame.
1
It's amazing the people on here who say they admire Trump for taking as much money from the govt as he can -- that this makes him a good businessman. The government is us, guys. He's taking our money. He is taking money that could go to fix our crumbling subway, to pave our roads, to improve our quality of life.
Too many Americans equate being a good businessman with being a greedy, self-dealing, low-life, as if being a good businessman is totally separate from being a decent human, that he has no responsibility to his community or society.
And to those who think Trump would fight this way for the American people if he (shudder) becomes president, it is clear as day he is interested in helping no one beside himself and maybe (maybe) close family and friends.
Sadder even than Trump are the people who believe this guy cares a wit about helping them, or who admire his working the system for his personal gain.
Perhaps this is what's so depressing about American society today, that someone can be derided for being a community organizer and lauded for being a tax-break chasing real estate developer. Some Americans have really lost faith in community, if this is how they see things. This is what needs major repair.
And what is up with the courts who ruled in Trump's favor after city governments rejected his tax abatement requests? Was he paying off those judges too?
Too many Americans equate being a good businessman with being a greedy, self-dealing, low-life, as if being a good businessman is totally separate from being a decent human, that he has no responsibility to his community or society.
And to those who think Trump would fight this way for the American people if he (shudder) becomes president, it is clear as day he is interested in helping no one beside himself and maybe (maybe) close family and friends.
Sadder even than Trump are the people who believe this guy cares a wit about helping them, or who admire his working the system for his personal gain.
Perhaps this is what's so depressing about American society today, that someone can be derided for being a community organizer and lauded for being a tax-break chasing real estate developer. Some Americans have really lost faith in community, if this is how they see things. This is what needs major repair.
And what is up with the courts who ruled in Trump's favor after city governments rejected his tax abatement requests? Was he paying off those judges too?
13
When you have a government which favors the rich and spends the money of the 99% to enrich them further, you have major political and social failure at all levels. Voters, over and over, reelect the criminals who are stealing from them. The "American Dream" is now a nightmare and we are poised to elect the most public gangster as President. Sic transit Gloria as they say.
4
On reflection, perhaps the US does deserve Trump as president.
There is a collective idiocy reflective of the "lesser" demographic that actually carries through, regardless of "higher" values that the nation (is it really a nation...?) so readily espouses.
Of the more than aggregated billion comments, articles, speeches, tweets etc. the voting public STILL leans towards this candidate.
When the results are out, and if indeed Trump does become president, there will be a lot of red faces - the ignominy of having lost out to mass ignorance. Utterly laughable (for the distant observer).
There is a collective idiocy reflective of the "lesser" demographic that actually carries through, regardless of "higher" values that the nation (is it really a nation...?) so readily espouses.
Of the more than aggregated billion comments, articles, speeches, tweets etc. the voting public STILL leans towards this candidate.
When the results are out, and if indeed Trump does become president, there will be a lot of red faces - the ignominy of having lost out to mass ignorance. Utterly laughable (for the distant observer).
5
Yeah, it is discouraging. Like Bill Maher said, "If Trump wins, it's not because he's GOOD- but because people are stupid"
1
I've got a fever and the only prescription is Donald Trump's tax return!
14
Gargle with a Clinton Coldman Sacks speech and get some bed rest.
Dear fellow Americans who are seriously considering voting for Donald Trump in November:
Please read this article carefully. Please know that every tax break and subsidy Donald Trump has taken to build up his PERSONAL empire has been paid for by the rest of us. Either in the form of our hard-earned tax dollars, or by our suffering as important programs meant for those of us truly in need were reduced or completely eliminated.
Do you need more proof than this? "After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Mr. Trump lined up a $150,000 grant for one of his buildings near ground zero, taking advantage of a program to help small businesses in the area recover, even though he had acknowledged on the day of the attacks that his building was undamaged."
How could he?
Please think about yourselves when you go to the polls in November. Donald Trump certainly won't be.
Please read this article carefully. Please know that every tax break and subsidy Donald Trump has taken to build up his PERSONAL empire has been paid for by the rest of us. Either in the form of our hard-earned tax dollars, or by our suffering as important programs meant for those of us truly in need were reduced or completely eliminated.
Do you need more proof than this? "After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Mr. Trump lined up a $150,000 grant for one of his buildings near ground zero, taking advantage of a program to help small businesses in the area recover, even though he had acknowledged on the day of the attacks that his building was undamaged."
How could he?
Please think about yourselves when you go to the polls in November. Donald Trump certainly won't be.
21
From my experience perusing "comments" forums in articles from Politico, Washington Post, and USA Today..... the supporters a of Trump appear to be colossally ignorant of any of Trump's many falsehoods & flaws, and they do not tend to respond well at all to anyone attempting to enlighten or contradict them. They're also woefully stubborn and defiant when it comes to knowledge on all things Hillary Clinton. Intense, fuming hatred of "Crooked Hillary" is way too common among these commentaries- and it's all based on myth and theories that have either been debunked are just flat out off the wall.
1
If this article is accurate, Donald Trump is a loathsome person. Can one imagine how many lives he has destroyed, maybe not with guns or bombs, but he is lacking even an ounce of humanity. He is worse than the EpiPen and the Martin Shkreli of the World. Trump keeps saying if the Chinese can get away with criminal activities he does not blame them. His mode of operandi is if you can get away with a crime, you are smart, a genius. Look at me. How deftly he changed his height from 6’2 to 6’3 so he could not be classified as obese. This man perpetually thinks as a criminal, and it is sickening to think he should be seen as a smart business person.- Is this how America will be “great again?” Since all of us now will be trained as crooks, will we be getting rid of all the prisons? Or Will we be under house arrest because even the Donald won’t be able to build prisons fast enough to rid the country of criminals? Or may be his son has just given us the hint- we will all be shoveled into The “Donald Oven.”.
18
Honestly, I think it's ridiculous to attack a businessman for looking for tax breaks. Americans rich and poor get reemed with taxes, it's our right as US citizens to look for ways to preserve our own efforts from the government. Oh, Trump paid less than a few million to the government? boo-hoo, the government rakes all citizens over the coals, especially you're average citizen. Good for him for looking to preserve his business assets. With that being said, maybe people can start looking into the reasons to vote for Trump: http://theordinarylife.com/4-painstakingly-obvious-reasons-americans-sho...
3
You make it appear that Trump is the only one that has taken advantage of these tax breaks. Everyone who can takes advantage of tax breaks. The problem is that all of this is tilted in favor of the politically powerful/connected and the wealthy. Congress passes tax laws - when was the last time it passed one that benefited the middle class as the laws benefit the rich. And you think Hillary will change this - think again. She is owned lock, stock and barrel by Wall Street and the big banks.
2
What a fraud.
I wonder what kind of phony scare tactic he'll cook up this time to deflect attention from this scandal ...
I wonder what kind of phony scare tactic he'll cook up this time to deflect attention from this scandal ...
10
Scandal? One would think that a "scandal" would involve someone's actually breaking a law. The IRS is auditing his tax return. I'll wait for it to determine whether there are any "scandals" there.
This only reinforces his claim that he 'uses the system' and as such, people kiss his butt (his term) to keep in line!
5
So what the article is saying Trump never did anything wrong. What he does is why every developer does.
6
how many real estate developers are running for pres
cmon, count along w me
1
wow, you made it
1
Did you not notice the bit about him claiming $150K from a 9/11 fund intended to help SMALL businesses DAMAGED in the attacks? He admitted that his building was NOT DAMAGED! Does this not fit your definition of "wrong"? And are you suggesting that he would admit to being a "small" businessman?
2
If Trump does not disclose his tax return, his name should not be in 2016 Presidential election ballot.
12
The Donald - a predator with no regard for anything but his own enlarged ego. All other parts are shriveled, especially his conscience.
5
The article only names instances of tax breaks, which aren't subsidies, and are wholly justified if it helps regeneration of these cities and promotes job growth in his buildings (on which taxes are paid and social security spend is reduced). If a company is more efficient at job creation and regeneration than a costly government programme (which is usually the case), then tax relief is not a cost to the government.
Also, it pays to distinguish Trump from his business. Trump pays (in theory) taxes on any profit extracted from his business (presumably at the higher rate) - the article talks about business relief in the real estate sector on a company which he is legally responsible for running successfully. The tax relief benefits his company and incentivises construction, as is the aim with all tax relief in the sector where otherwise the project would be too expensive. Trump would have to pay income tax on any amounts he receives from the company just like his employees and the rest of us - he is not the direct beneficiary of these tax breaks.
Disingenuous spin imo
Also, it pays to distinguish Trump from his business. Trump pays (in theory) taxes on any profit extracted from his business (presumably at the higher rate) - the article talks about business relief in the real estate sector on a company which he is legally responsible for running successfully. The tax relief benefits his company and incentivises construction, as is the aim with all tax relief in the sector where otherwise the project would be too expensive. Trump would have to pay income tax on any amounts he receives from the company just like his employees and the rest of us - he is not the direct beneficiary of these tax breaks.
Disingenuous spin imo
3
The last two days the NYT has come out with guns blazing in unequivocal condemnation of Trump. It's good to see. Please keep it up! This isn't a time for journalists to sit on the fence with regard to all the wrongs that Trump has committed and continues to do. Anything that's even mildly soft on him legitimizes him. The people who support him don't see what the consequences will be of their actions, but that's no reason to pander to them.
17
Time to call Donald crooked. He is so crooked, it's hard to find a true statement midst lies.
6
With all this talk about tax breaks no one is asking why we cannot see his tax returns? Nearly a billion dollars. And the public cannot see them? His son was right, releasing his taxes would have 330 million people asking questions.
9
So the New York Supreme Court overturned some city rulings that had gone against Trump? Maybe it's time to check whether any current or past justices were in Trump's pocket.
3
Reading this I can see why Trump wants to take it to the next step and run from President.
Just think what he could do if he becomes "Dictator in Chief".
Just think what he could do if he becomes "Dictator in Chief".
9
This is the guy that is going to help the little guy against big business? He is laughing all the way to the bank. Don't we see his game, his biggest con yet?!
14
.....and his bank probably isn't even in this country....
Good job Donald. I would have done the same thing, as would every person reading this article.
1
Sure. The only difference between Trump and you and everyone else is that Trump inherited $200 million from his father as well as all of his political connections and lawyers. Not to mention that Trump needed his father's cosignature to get his early loans.
But other than those minor differences, you too could be given tax preferences.
But other than those minor differences, you too could be given tax preferences.
7
Many of Trump's supporters are the very people Trump exploited throughout his whole life without any sense of ethics. Trump does not even the professionalism to honour his commitments to his business partners. And those people see Trump as their saviour? America please vote in November, put an end to this outrageous con.
10
I agree with you, Mr. Trump would not be good for America and for the rest of planet.
This is a great argument for building a larger and more complex government whose officials can use their discretion to bestow favors on friends and associates. Why have the same rules for everyone?
2
Trump: author of the newly released ghostwritten biography, "The Art of the Steal"
Nice to see that he has indeed perfected the art of making sure someone else pays for the infrastructure necessary for him and his political and family cohorts to rake in the dough. All done while he continues to stiff contractors, suppliers and laborers who do the real work.
What could have NYC done with that $800+ Million instead of prop up a serial liar and grifter? Let's count the ways....
I just can't wait to see what he has in store for himself with access to the federal treasury.
Nice to see that he has indeed perfected the art of making sure someone else pays for the infrastructure necessary for him and his political and family cohorts to rake in the dough. All done while he continues to stiff contractors, suppliers and laborers who do the real work.
What could have NYC done with that $800+ Million instead of prop up a serial liar and grifter? Let's count the ways....
I just can't wait to see what he has in store for himself with access to the federal treasury.
15
Donald Trump belongs in a cage. Hoping he'll be indicted in a couple of years for one or another of his scams. He's the bad joke we now endure every day.
11
It would have been nice to have some of that money going to fully funding libraries instead of squeezing their budget every year.
12
This article proves that Donald Trump did not reach his level of wealth and success all on his own; instead, he did it with the help of us taxpayers.
Also, I admit that if I was in his shoes, I would also take advantage of tax breaks. However, unlike Trump, I never would have sought out a $150,000 taxpayer-funded grant after 9/11 that was specifically intended to help small businesses that had been hurt by the 9/11 attacks to get back on their feet. (Trump's business was not small, and his buildings were not damaged by 9/11.)
Also, I admit that if I was in his shoes, I would also take advantage of tax breaks. However, unlike Trump, I never would have sought out a $150,000 taxpayer-funded grant after 9/11 that was specifically intended to help small businesses that had been hurt by the 9/11 attacks to get back on their feet. (Trump's business was not small, and his buildings were not damaged by 9/11.)
18
The building is a separately incorporated business that qualified under the law and that was affected, if not damaged by 9/11, including loss of business.
When it come to feeding at the city's teat, compared to Bruce Ratner, Trump is a piker.
5
What bothers me the most is that something that cost 120 million to build somehow should have paid 360 million in taxes. Property tax is a scam people.
1
His whole MO is to exploit the government for everything he could get - Anyone with half a brain already knows this about him. This is like saying water is wet, the sky is blue, etc.
10
Isn't what Trump does every day what every other real estate developer does in Manhattan and in many other places. Trump may just be better at it than others and I don't mean to congratulate him on it. He is just a better, smarter, "crook".
3
Yes, but they're not running for President and claiming their opponent is an "insider," and that they are nothing but honest, hard working businessmen who would NEVER try to use political influence or connections to get their way.
It's not about his business acumen, or his ruthlessness as a negotiator/deal breaker. It's about his DISHONESTY and his UNMITIGATED SELF- INTEREST. The man isn't satisfied with trying to become the richest man alive. He wants to be the most powerful man in the world - and all to feed his ego. It has nothing to do with making America anything.....other than broken.
It's not about his business acumen, or his ruthlessness as a negotiator/deal breaker. It's about his DISHONESTY and his UNMITIGATED SELF- INTEREST. The man isn't satisfied with trying to become the richest man alive. He wants to be the most powerful man in the world - and all to feed his ego. It has nothing to do with making America anything.....other than broken.
1
The greatest source of urban corruption is to be found between politicians and developers. No wonder that Giuliani is such an avid and mendacious Trump supporter, they go a long way back together. What is indefensible is that judges kept on supporting tax give aways for the wealthy, lavishing money on the rich that the city could have used to alleviate the many problems it had.
No wonder that Trump thinks that he can make Mexico pay for his wall: he thinks that the Mexican government will be as malleable as NY politicians.
No wonder that Trump thinks that he can make Mexico pay for his wall: he thinks that the Mexican government will be as malleable as NY politicians.
14
I'm not sure where the scoop is on this story. Every reasonable business person seeks to invest in the most advantageous environment possible: Places where taxes are low and private spending is high. If NYC offered such tax breaks and there was plenty of capital in circulation in the 70s, Trump made savvy business decisions.
1
He used his (and his father's) political connections in a much more egregious manner than just about anyone alive. He didn't simply make "savvy business decisions."
And now he uses Ms. Clinton's political connections as a club to beat her with, claiming she is "privileged" and unlike himself and the rest of the common folk.
There's the story, not his deal-making or ruthlessness, but his DISHONESTY and his dedication to nothing other than himself - literally NOTHING other than himself.
And now he uses Ms. Clinton's political connections as a club to beat her with, claiming she is "privileged" and unlike himself and the rest of the common folk.
There's the story, not his deal-making or ruthlessness, but his DISHONESTY and his dedication to nothing other than himself - literally NOTHING other than himself.
2
"After the Sept. 11 attacks, he obtained a $150,000 grant for 40 Wall Street, an office tower eight blocks from ground zero, through a small-business recovery program.
In the hours after the attacks, Mr. Trump told German television that his property “wasn’t, fortunately, affected by what happened at the World Trade Center.”
It was unethical for Mr. Trump to apply for, and obtain, a federal grant he did not deserve because a) he is not a small business owner and b) his property wasn't even damaged. Instead with all his wealth he should have donated funds to the true victims of the attack. What he did shows his true character. He pays little to no taxes and he reaps all the benefits he can lie his way to.
In the hours after the attacks, Mr. Trump told German television that his property “wasn’t, fortunately, affected by what happened at the World Trade Center.”
It was unethical for Mr. Trump to apply for, and obtain, a federal grant he did not deserve because a) he is not a small business owner and b) his property wasn't even damaged. Instead with all his wealth he should have donated funds to the true victims of the attack. What he did shows his true character. He pays little to no taxes and he reaps all the benefits he can lie his way to.
23
You are suggesting that Trump is not a mensch?
1
I can't imagine what he pays in legal fees each year. Oh wait - he probably doesn't pay the lawyers either.
Show us the tax returns!
Show us the tax returns!
16
Hmmmm.........makes me wonder if he pays his accountant!
1
Trump is propped up by government. Of course he is. Election day cannot come soon enough. Until then Trump will continue his artless quest for the Presidency. He is the Trompe-l'oeil of our political system. Deceiving the eye and the ear of his hapless constituents as they follow him right over a cliff he has no intention of actually going himself....
12
I'm not a fan of Mr. Trump, but I think you're carrying your character assassination a bit too far. The City can't have its cake and it too. I've financec numerous developments under the 421a because they cash flowed only with the tax breaks. Otherwise, no one would touch them with a 10 foot pole. If the City wants redevelopment, it needs to create incentives. It's no different than auto companies being lured to the South to build new plants. Basic economics, which are ignored in your article, tell you the multiplier effect creates numerous benefits to the community. That's why, in the first place, programs like 421a exist. Suggest the writer get good intro books in economics and math so the issue is not so mysterious.
4
KJF, Who did Trump improve the city for?
1
Clearly he abuses these incentives which are meant for gentrification of less desirable areas, due to the longer time frame it is expected to attract new tenants to a less desirable area. He knows this, but his extreme entitled attitude and overly-black and white interpretation of these proactive laws, he pursues these lagal cases through appeals processes until he finds a friendly venue and ultimately wins. Who loses??? The schools, kids, and families (the no-names) whose schools have suffered and lagged due to underfunding, hardworking teachers who hold every child in POSITIVE regard as a human being. He ABUSES the positive aspects of the law AND the legal system itself, these also being public resources paid by TAXPAYERS, in order to keep filling his insatiable greed. He is and ABUSER of the citizens of NYC, NY state, and given his abusive and violent rhetoric toward disabled, honest-working people, women, and all other stripes of taxpayers, it is completely intolerable.
12
The January 4, 2016 Wall Street Journal reports that Mr. Trump pulled out
$160 million in cash from the carcasses of the four casinos in Atlantic City that
he ran into bankruptcy.
In spite of pulling that much cash out of Atlantic City bankruptcies, New Jersey tax authorities had been after Mr. Trump for years to pay New Jersey taxes that had risen to $30 million with interest and penalties.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, ever eager to seek favor with Mr. Trump, arranged for that $30 million in delinquent taxes, interest and penalties to be settled for only $5 million, a loss to the State of New Jersey
of $25 million, which would have been able to solve many problems for the citizens of New Jersey.
$160 million in cash from the carcasses of the four casinos in Atlantic City that
he ran into bankruptcy.
In spite of pulling that much cash out of Atlantic City bankruptcies, New Jersey tax authorities had been after Mr. Trump for years to pay New Jersey taxes that had risen to $30 million with interest and penalties.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, ever eager to seek favor with Mr. Trump, arranged for that $30 million in delinquent taxes, interest and penalties to be settled for only $5 million, a loss to the State of New Jersey
of $25 million, which would have been able to solve many problems for the citizens of New Jersey.
21
But now Governor Christie is a trusted Trump advisor and obviously hoping for an appointment to an important position by President Trump.
1
As Michael Bloomberg, 10x wealthier, honest, with no scandals and having been an elected official with no accusations of improprieties at all said "I know a fake when I see one." If he had run I'd have voted for him!
25
Revealing as much as this article is, it unfortunately won't make much difference to those that support Mr. Trump. His supporters probably have the response, "You cheated the system, great! The government sucks and doesn't deserve a single penny".
The segment of people that subscribe to this view represent a growing and collective failure to understand the relationship between civic responsibility, the role of government, and freedom. It is profoundly scary how many feel this way.
The size of Trump's appeal is an indicator of how big our failure is to comprehend what a healthy democracy should, and can be, is. If we cannot reverse this slide, we may find ourselves lurching from one crisis to the next. Hopefully, staying just slightly ahead of disasters. Not a good setting for progress.
The segment of people that subscribe to this view represent a growing and collective failure to understand the relationship between civic responsibility, the role of government, and freedom. It is profoundly scary how many feel this way.
The size of Trump's appeal is an indicator of how big our failure is to comprehend what a healthy democracy should, and can be, is. If we cannot reverse this slide, we may find ourselves lurching from one crisis to the next. Hopefully, staying just slightly ahead of disasters. Not a good setting for progress.
13
The tax abatements are not state secrets. Trump himself wrote about them in his books. I was living in New York City in 1980. Developers were not flocking to Manhattan. I'd like to know the economic impact of Trump's developments on New York since 1980. Then compare that figure to the amount of the tax abatements.
4
"Trump himself wrote about them in his books."
In particular, tax abatements are mentioned repeatedly in "The Art of the Deal" by Trump and Schwartz.
In particular, tax abatements are mentioned repeatedly in "The Art of the Deal" by Trump and Schwartz.
1
I'd really like to know what HIS personal investment strategy is, if he wins.
Even if all personal investment holdings can be captured and put in a blind trust (have no clue what all the corporate stuff is subject to, legally) if he achieves victory ... for instance, is he planning to short the market/certain sectors of, ahead of election day? He's obviously got a lot of advisers cooking up all types of actions.
You know he's gonna make a buck -- or beaucoup bucks -- on the election outcome, one way or another.
What a piece of work.
Even if all personal investment holdings can be captured and put in a blind trust (have no clue what all the corporate stuff is subject to, legally) if he achieves victory ... for instance, is he planning to short the market/certain sectors of, ahead of election day? He's obviously got a lot of advisers cooking up all types of actions.
You know he's gonna make a buck -- or beaucoup bucks -- on the election outcome, one way or another.
What a piece of work.
10
People of ordinary means understand that a good reputation takes a long time to build, but only momentary lapse in one's judgement to destroy. Donald Trump, a proven liar, widely suspected fraudster, and all around loud mouthed bigot who leaves fear and gnashing of teeth in his wake wherever he roams, seems to have set out in the midst of his lousy life punctuated with excessive displays of wanton self aggrandizement to prove, in the end, that good reputations are for chumps. Now he'd asked for his behaviour over his seventy years on our little planet to be put to a vote. Certainly the same United States of America that elected and re-elected President Obama will get this one right.
13
I don't quarrel with availing oneself of legal loopholes. However, I find it distasteful and hypocritical to "diss" poor people who receive welfare or other government assistance while claiming to be "self made". Additionally, I would certainly distinguish between legal acts and ones which violate our laws.
13
A friend told me once, "There's only two laws that we have to worry about. One, is the written law that no one believes in, and, the other one is the unwritten law that everyone does."
1
Rules and the concept of "right and wrong" are for losers. According to the Donald.
2
So, your "news" is that Trump followed the letter of the law.
While that may be news when Hillary does it, it's not news when Trump does it.
While that may be news when Hillary does it, it's not news when Trump does it.
5
Bullied, lied, threatened....that's newsworthy!
This article isn't about him following the law - it's about his hypocrisy. At the end of the day, he's just like HRC and any other politician in this country. That's the point. His followers are being played by the master. Enjoy being treated like dirt after he's elected.
Mr. Bagli makes a major criticism of Mr. Trump for using tax breaks, but fails to disclose why this is any diffrerent from what Mr. Obama or Mrs. Clinton and millions of other citizens do. As a business man, is there some reason Mr. Trump should be the only one that uses legitimate tax breaks? It looks as if Mr. Bagli has been bitten by the "jump on Trump" virus that causes the person bitten by it to lose all objectivity and to write only about the bad things they imagine rather than the actual words Mr. Trump uses.
4
that a judge would side with him just shows how morally bankrupt and divorced from justice our legal system is. Labels like third world mean nothing anymore. I know that I am living in a corrupt gangster state and have no expectation of justice or fairness.
8
The US has enough judicial venues to keep practically any legal issue undecided forever.
1
Seems to me that if you don't like tax concessions and other breaks offered to investors and developers, you should find fault with the public officials and legislators who created them.
You cannot find fault with developers who take advantage of what is offered. In many, if not most cases, they have a fiduciary responsibility to partners and other investors in any project to enhance the viability of any project by any legal means available. Taking advantage of tax breaks available to investors is not illegitimate.
Who among us have refused to take advantage of any personal deduction that we qualify for, that we can document our entitlement to?
Articles such as this generate heat, but shed very little light.
You cannot find fault with developers who take advantage of what is offered. In many, if not most cases, they have a fiduciary responsibility to partners and other investors in any project to enhance the viability of any project by any legal means available. Taking advantage of tax breaks available to investors is not illegitimate.
Who among us have refused to take advantage of any personal deduction that we qualify for, that we can document our entitlement to?
Articles such as this generate heat, but shed very little light.
4
These politicians always get a cut of what they give away.
Keep following the money. The trail will eventually lead to Russia, the main backer of his businesses now that no US bank will lend to him. This is the real reason why he won't release his tax returns. Get with it, journalists!
11
The august NYT should be helping to spread the information in the current Newsweek piece on this miscreant. Elsewhere in this section some sharp folks have provided the link.
The problem here is obviously with a municipal government that is willing to give tax breaks like this. Cities (and states) also give gigantic subsidies to sports teams, major employers (like Boeing in Washington state), and anyone else who has leverage. This article is an indictment of that system. Trump availed himself of it, yes; but it was your mayor, or councilman, or governor who made this stupid investment in a real estate huckster. They're the ones who deserve the blame, not the huckster.
4
Sure.
But none of it was illegal. Not a single law was broken, no crime committed. And the same laws are used by other companies everyday.
He used the system as intended, and the system works for companies like his.
So what's the point of the story? that he abided by the law?
But none of it was illegal. Not a single law was broken, no crime committed. And the same laws are used by other companies everyday.
He used the system as intended, and the system works for companies like his.
So what's the point of the story? that he abided by the law?
4
The point of the story is that government subsidies are ok for a "self-made" man like Trump but welfare for the rest of us.
This is NYS, but would be nice if one of the debate moderators asked him about what he thinks about the "breaks' that people like him and Romney get regarding how their income is taxed and whether that should change to "Make America Great Again."
8
As much as I dislike Blowhard Trump, no one should blame him for getting good deals and tax breaks from the city. From what I read, the city gave away the farm. If there were bribes and kickbacks involved, even that shouldn't be blamed on Trump.
2
Trump shouldn't be blamed even if he were to offer bribes or kickbacks? I must say you're quite a generous soul where the venality of political influence peddling is concerned. Any chance you're on the a Supreme Court?
DT is doing what most other real estate developers do. He is taking advantage of every possible opportunity. That said, people like him are not the type of people we want leading our country. His world view is that the world revolves around him. He has no plans to help the country. His entire life has revolved solely around making as much money for himself as possible. Why he even wants to be president mystifies me. What mystifies me more are how many supporters he has. His supporters are not deplorable. They are stupid.
10
@cliff, some of his xenophobic, homophobic, misogynists are ACTUALLY deplorable, HOWEVER most are stupid
1
Respectfully suggest this is precisely why you want a President like Trump...someone who knows how to WIN and who has the courage to Just Do It
Trump is a great businessman. He knows how to get things done. anyone criticizing him is either naive or jealous. Most people don't understand the nexus between business and politics. It it not the business people who are corrupt; it is the politicians. There is an old expression about the politicians which is well known by people like Trump who try to get things done:
"It is not what they can do for you; it is what they can do against you."
Trump like all people in the private sector abhor giving these politicians contributions, but if they refuse, the politicians will make sure they lose. This is the real Pay-To-Play game that goes on. Very rarely do business people bribe politicians with campaign contributions. So, when Republicans criticize Trump for giving money to Hillary's campaign, they don't understand it was legal extortion. Trump did not have a choice if he wanted to continue to do business where she could influence the local decision makers who control the public approvals.
Trump will make a great President because he is the only one who can put a stop to this Pay-to-Play political contribution scheme by proposing real campaign finance reform at both the federal, state and local levels. When people criticize Trump for some of his business ventures going bankrupt, they don;t understand it is better to have created jobs, and lost some of them, than to never have created any jobs at all.
We need a leader from the private sector to clean this mess up!
"It is not what they can do for you; it is what they can do against you."
Trump like all people in the private sector abhor giving these politicians contributions, but if they refuse, the politicians will make sure they lose. This is the real Pay-To-Play game that goes on. Very rarely do business people bribe politicians with campaign contributions. So, when Republicans criticize Trump for giving money to Hillary's campaign, they don't understand it was legal extortion. Trump did not have a choice if he wanted to continue to do business where she could influence the local decision makers who control the public approvals.
Trump will make a great President because he is the only one who can put a stop to this Pay-to-Play political contribution scheme by proposing real campaign finance reform at both the federal, state and local levels. When people criticize Trump for some of his business ventures going bankrupt, they don;t understand it is better to have created jobs, and lost some of them, than to never have created any jobs at all.
We need a leader from the private sector to clean this mess up!
2
He is NOT going to stop the present system from operating the way it does. He has NO intention of doing that. He will continue to operate his business and get all sorts of tax breaks. God forbid, if he is elected, his full attention will be on protecting and expanding his empire. He is a sociopath, and sociopaths don't care about the common good. That's dangerous!
1
So what's the fuss? Trump worked within the law to gain certain advantages. Any reasonable person would think less of him as a businessman if he did not take advantage of the opportunities the law afforded him.
The only people to act unethically here were the political bureaucracies that tried to deny Trump the tax credits, grants and abatements his company was legally entitled to. Fortunately the law won out and the courts ruled against these bureaucracies.
Can't wait to see what ridiculous articles the NYT has lined up tomorrow to try to discredit Trump. It is starting to become humorous.
The only people to act unethically here were the political bureaucracies that tried to deny Trump the tax credits, grants and abatements his company was legally entitled to. Fortunately the law won out and the courts ruled against these bureaucracies.
Can't wait to see what ridiculous articles the NYT has lined up tomorrow to try to discredit Trump. It is starting to become humorous.
4
What does Trump deserve credit for? Nothing. He has done nothing to benefit anyone but himself.
I haven't been to New York in quite a while. Times have changed apparently.
The beggars wear tailored suits now?
The beggars wear tailored suits now?
10
According to President Ronald Reagan, the welfare queen:
"has 12 Social Security cards, mooches on benefits from four fake dead husbands, and collects food stamps while driving a Cadillac."
"She rakes in about $150,000 a year in welfare benefits."
The unsaid assumption is she must be African-American (dog whistle in background).
Reality is a bit different from the old actor's memory:
"he has 3 wives and numerous children from those wives, all potential tax deductions."
"But that doesn't matter so much since the deca-billionaire pays no personal taxes anyway according to the only released tax returns from the 1970s."
"In fact, he gets $885 million in tax breaks along with his tax free income unavailable to public scrutiny, under audit by the IRS, as he uses public campaign money to promote and add profits to his businesses."
"He has bankrupted 4 companies and $5 billion in debt with them and drives around in cars too numerous to mention and lives in properties to cumbersome to list all guarded by tax payer paid servants,"
The unsaid assumption is he is an orange man of questionable descent with unquestionably bad morals, integrity and designs.
Frankly, at least that's what I'm hearing from people, believe me.
"has 12 Social Security cards, mooches on benefits from four fake dead husbands, and collects food stamps while driving a Cadillac."
"She rakes in about $150,000 a year in welfare benefits."
The unsaid assumption is she must be African-American (dog whistle in background).
Reality is a bit different from the old actor's memory:
"he has 3 wives and numerous children from those wives, all potential tax deductions."
"But that doesn't matter so much since the deca-billionaire pays no personal taxes anyway according to the only released tax returns from the 1970s."
"In fact, he gets $885 million in tax breaks along with his tax free income unavailable to public scrutiny, under audit by the IRS, as he uses public campaign money to promote and add profits to his businesses."
"He has bankrupted 4 companies and $5 billion in debt with them and drives around in cars too numerous to mention and lives in properties to cumbersome to list all guarded by tax payer paid servants,"
The unsaid assumption is he is an orange man of questionable descent with unquestionably bad morals, integrity and designs.
Frankly, at least that's what I'm hearing from people, believe me.
16
Thanks for the context and the sanity on this thread. Those who are defending his business practices and complimenting his immorality, care little about this country. He is a very dangerous man and deeply unqualified to be President.
1
These facts and his leveraging public funds and his complete lack of integrity should surprise no one. Mike Bloomberg called him a con man and that is precisely what he is. No surprise there.
13
"He is relentless in his “pursuit of every single dime of taxpayer subsidies he can get his paws on,” said one New York City official."
And so does every New Yorker. I guess it is only wrong when Donald Trump does it. It looks more and more as if the New York Times had established a daily quota of negative stories about Donald Trump. Anything to help Clinton, Obama, the Black Caucus, CNN, and all the rest bash and slam him every day 24/7.
If SHE was so good, why is this necessary? Why does she need billions to beat him? Why can't she put him away?
And so does every New Yorker. I guess it is only wrong when Donald Trump does it. It looks more and more as if the New York Times had established a daily quota of negative stories about Donald Trump. Anything to help Clinton, Obama, the Black Caucus, CNN, and all the rest bash and slam him every day 24/7.
If SHE was so good, why is this necessary? Why does she need billions to beat him? Why can't she put him away?
3
What is the point of this article? That Trump is like any other real estate developer, any businessman who takes advantage of the system, who seeks tax abatement from the government in exchange for development. Isn't that what he's supposed to do? isn't that his job? isn't that business in America? This is a long established procedure-attract development, industry, etc, which supposedly is for the common good, and in exchange we give them tax breaks.
Is there a stadium in America not done in this fashion?-even worse often with public money, or general obligation bonds. Even if you hate sports the government supports it, and the developers walk away with fortunes. In every region of the country every form of industry, and construction are given deals similar in nature to Trump's-you would think Trump a fool if he didn't.
There is no story here, no laws have been broken, this is just more of the NYT's embarrassingly unbalanced coverage of Trump. This paper in its news section just continues losing its soul in pursuit of Trump. You're not changing minds-influencing people-Trump supporters know what the Times' views are already-most of the comments are NY Dems or liberals-what is the point of them, or these articles?
Is there a stadium in America not done in this fashion?-even worse often with public money, or general obligation bonds. Even if you hate sports the government supports it, and the developers walk away with fortunes. In every region of the country every form of industry, and construction are given deals similar in nature to Trump's-you would think Trump a fool if he didn't.
There is no story here, no laws have been broken, this is just more of the NYT's embarrassingly unbalanced coverage of Trump. This paper in its news section just continues losing its soul in pursuit of Trump. You're not changing minds-influencing people-Trump supporters know what the Times' views are already-most of the comments are NY Dems or liberals-what is the point of them, or these articles?
5
You might have also mentioned that the state of Hew York had a recent ad campaign touting just these breaks to attract businesses. But the NYT disapproves? How ridiculous!
So how does this article demonstrate guilt or poor business practices!?
I don't care for the man but he is clearly using what loopholes and poor laws exist to make as much money as he can.
It is these laws and loopholes that need to be addressed, not Donald Trump!
This is just more Gawker-style fake journalism on the part of the New York Times.
I don't care for the man but he is clearly using what loopholes and poor laws exist to make as much money as he can.
It is these laws and loopholes that need to be addressed, not Donald Trump!
This is just more Gawker-style fake journalism on the part of the New York Times.
5
NY Timez pursuing a bizarre inchoate editorial policy.
I can't stand Trump. But you need to distinguish between unacceptable (lying re birther, stiffing contractors, conning "students" at "Trump U," lying re David Duke and refusing to release tax return) vs demagogic inveighing against his taking advantage of tax loopholes. He must not be elected, but with this kind of biased nonsense, you discredit the very serious arguments. Instead of this absurdity, don't run an article talking about "bold" choice that make as much sense as mining the moon for green cheese.
I can't stand Trump. But you need to distinguish between unacceptable (lying re birther, stiffing contractors, conning "students" at "Trump U," lying re David Duke and refusing to release tax return) vs demagogic inveighing against his taking advantage of tax loopholes. He must not be elected, but with this kind of biased nonsense, you discredit the very serious arguments. Instead of this absurdity, don't run an article talking about "bold" choice that make as much sense as mining the moon for green cheese.
4
Trump took advantage of all the tax breaks that were available.
The Times readers are questioning this, that and the other.
Under no conditions should Trump release his tax returns or any other financial information.
The Liberals will nitpick everything to death.
Trump should tell the Liberals that if they think he is not paying taxes, they should contact the IRS and they can collect a reward.
The Times readers are questioning this, that and the other.
Under no conditions should Trump release his tax returns or any other financial information.
The Liberals will nitpick everything to death.
Trump should tell the Liberals that if they think he is not paying taxes, they should contact the IRS and they can collect a reward.
3
My dad, years ago, had business problems and refused to file bankruptcy to save his investment because he said that it would shaft all the people the business owed. He paid the business debts and my family went on to pick up the pieces of our lives.
I've never been more proud of him and try to live in his honor.
That's what being an American is about: Looking out for the other guy, not just looking out for yourself.
No, taking all the breaks, if it sticks it to other people, is not the answer.
I've never been more proud of him and try to live in his honor.
That's what being an American is about: Looking out for the other guy, not just looking out for yourself.
No, taking all the breaks, if it sticks it to other people, is not the answer.
8
Lovely and very 'old-fashioned'. Thanks for the post! Refreshing.
1
Good morals are never out of fashion.
This is not news. Trump has been open about his dealings with government. He's the first to admit he knows exactly how the game is played.
6
Trump is running as the fox who can fix the henhouse.
10
Yawn. NY is a high-tax city in a high-tax state. Almost nothing substantial can or would be built at full tax. Whether it's straight credits, assessment adjustments, sales tax waivers, accelerated depreciation - whatever. Tax incentives are dispensed as political favors, to serve political ends, and occasionally to promote economic development. Without it, the same development might happen anyway, or not. No NY politician wants to be blamed for a development slowdown, and no NY politician wants to cut taxes. It's our system; we voters made it, we support it, So this is what we get.
35
Hopefully you feel the same way about Donald's entitlements as you do for the unemployed, sick and mentally ill. They deserve the same as Donald, besides, there's so much tax money who's even counting what's being spent. We grow money on trees in New York City.
Cynicism is merely a mask for laziness, in thought and deed. Quit yawning and wake up.
Everyone has a right to take advantage of the breaks you get in the tax law. That is what accountants are paid for. To find the tax breaks. Everyone does it and you can be sure the Clintons tale advantage of tax breaks/ The NYT needs to stop pretending that only Trump does. I bet their executives take advantage of break also. So stop slinging so much mud, NYT, !!
6
Aah, Cumberland. Republican country.
Did you ever consider how many bribes were paid to how many politicians to write the tax laws the way they are, with special consideration to real estate "developers" ?
Did you ever consider how many bribes were paid to how many politicians to write the tax laws the way they are, with special consideration to real estate "developers" ?
1
"Everyone does it ..."
Exactly. On IRS Form 1040, simply fill in the applicable lines for exemptions, deductions, and credits. Those are ALL "tax breaks".
Exactly. On IRS Form 1040, simply fill in the applicable lines for exemptions, deductions, and credits. Those are ALL "tax breaks".
1
Hey! I got a lousey $250K IN MY 401 K that I'd like some tax breaks on. Help me out here. He's Trump, we're CHUMPS, paying taxes for the rich.
5
Oh, for heaven sake's. Lord knows, I am no fan of The Donald, but legislatures and city and state administrations pass laws and make the regulations that enable tax breaks. In Trump's case, he sometime got the courts to confirm his access to such benefits.
Anyone who thinks at the Grand Hyatt did not act as a magnet for subsequent decades of development work around that entire neighborhood, with all of the economic stimulus that such activity implies, is deluding himself. This article had better not win a Pulitzer.
Anyone who thinks at the Grand Hyatt did not act as a magnet for subsequent decades of development work around that entire neighborhood, with all of the economic stimulus that such activity implies, is deluding himself. This article had better not win a Pulitzer.
7
Those of you who are applauding this creature's capacity for "working the system" with such aplomb..... Sorry but don't you want the person in charge to have better scruples than the average Joe working some angle?
11
What's frightening about this thread is how little people care about the consequences of these tax breaks and their affect on the City. When a company doesn't pay their fair share, there are going to be cutbacks in needed city services. I realize that giving big tax breaks to the wealthy/developers, etc. is seen as a 'good' business practice to those in power, but it is definitely NOT when you cut back on funding for schools, libraries, etc. A lot more people are hurt by that. Sorry, but America is/should not be just for the well-heeled.
72
NYC, the epicenter of a breathtaking multiplicity of authorities with the power to raise funds, does not suffer from a revenue deficiency. The issue is about where and how that revenue is spent. That is the political battleground.
1
Yes! If you're good for Donald entitlements then why not have the same enthusiasm for helping entitlements for the poor. Another point is that companies give back to the community in charity of many forms. It has been proven that Donald gives back nothing. A man who takes all he can and gives back nothing is not who I want to be my leader.
1
Trump keeps braying that he built it.
No he didn't. NYC taxpayers built it.
No he didn't. NYC taxpayers built it.
13
Donald Trump and his tax breaks: both nauseating in their own special ways.
10
In addition, the city has agreed to give the Times Company tax breaks and other incentives worth about $29 million, the executives said.
Some real estate executives and urban planners complained that the city and state had given the Times Company a generous deal, by selling the land at what they called a below-market price and by granting tax breaks for such prized real estate.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2001/02/28/nyregion/deal-reached-to-acquire-la...
Some real estate executives and urban planners complained that the city and state had given the Times Company a generous deal, by selling the land at what they called a below-market price and by granting tax breaks for such prized real estate.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2001/02/28/nyregion/deal-reached-to-acquire-la...
The Hyatt was successful even though it cost more than twice the original budget. Trump, to his credit, knew the value of that location and what a Grand Hyatt would be to the neighborhood. The hotel did better than expected and the tax breaks put him over the top. On Trump Tower, he searched and searched for an engineer to say the Bonwit Teller building was functionally obsolete. He finally found one. This was the factor in his getting the tax break. But Trump Tower would have been successful without it. It was just icing on the cake. Trump needed that like a hole in the head.
4
Well, *somebody* recognized the value of that piece of real estate......not at all sure that it was Con Don.
1
As the Donald himself once said: "Taxes are for the little people." No wait, that was Leona Helmsley, and she went to jail for it since only men are allowed to get away with that level of arrogance.
20
But Trump wasn't breaking laws; Helmsley was.
Smart people use tax breaks as a matter of course. Using bankruptcy makes sense also. My only complaint is student loan debt cannot be discharges in bankruptcy but corporate debt can. Lets at least level the playing field.
2
Smart people don't have four companies file Ch. 11 bankruptcy petitions, have failed business after failed business, or 3,500 civil suits filed against them. This in spite of being bankrolled and protected by his wealthy and corrupt daddy and fleecing taxpayers for everything they're worth.
1
'Smart' people. No, rich people with connections like Trump; it is how he does business.
1
This whole running game for Trump is all about lining up things to leverage his own selfishness and greed. He wants to lower corporate taxes, eviscerate regulations, sell off public land, line his pockets by booking his own facilities at jacked up prices and asking others to pay for it...this guy is like Dr Evil....and PS...just as stupid, creepy...and as Elizabeth Warren says...a bully with a dark soul. All of these earlier real estate ponzi schemes were just practice for the big game he is out to get.
8
Laws that allow billion dollar businesses to loot taxpayers are at the root of the problem. What developer, or for that matter any person, would turn down free money? The sad thing is that developers get politicians to write laws that favor their interests. And the 99% - hmmm.
5
Obviously an article meant to malign, yet my takeaway is that why wouldn't you lobby for tax breaks?
Who pays more tax than they need to? No liberals or conservatives that i know ( maybe romney 1 election year).
If negotiating tax breaks from unwitting politicians is construed as a negative - the problem is our government who grants them, not the person who requests them.
Providing tax breaks is how municipalities and states compete.
If he got 300 million in breaks over 40 years, the same source should reveal total taxes paid.
The fact the Times doesnt reveal is a stain on their reporting more than an indictment of Trump.
Who pays more tax than they need to? No liberals or conservatives that i know ( maybe romney 1 election year).
If negotiating tax breaks from unwitting politicians is construed as a negative - the problem is our government who grants them, not the person who requests them.
Providing tax breaks is how municipalities and states compete.
If he got 300 million in breaks over 40 years, the same source should reveal total taxes paid.
The fact the Times doesnt reveal is a stain on their reporting more than an indictment of Trump.
7
Who wrote this? A Trump surrogate?
1
Substitute a few names, as locally applicable, and the article describes practically every large commercial real estate project of any large US city built in the last 50+ years.
If you move a business to Shelby County TN (Memphis) and build a factory or a building you'll be handed tax breaks for as far as the eye can see. You'll barely have to bargain for them, either. New York is a little tougher, I'm sure, on the bargaining aspect but again there is nothing going on that isn't constantly being replicated across the country.
If you move a business to Shelby County TN (Memphis) and build a factory or a building you'll be handed tax breaks for as far as the eye can see. You'll barely have to bargain for them, either. New York is a little tougher, I'm sure, on the bargaining aspect but again there is nothing going on that isn't constantly being replicated across the country.
7
"Them what has, gets." The little businessman? Not so much.
1
I find it interesting that the NYT now calls Trump put for exploiting the weakness of NY State Tax codes for development.
The very democrats that now excoriate his behavior, ignored the fact that he was adept at squeezing tax abatements out of projects the law never intended them to include.
Where was the NYT outrage when it was relevant to the NY taxpayer that essentially was paying the bill? Where was the democrats in the State legislature? The answer? Surrendering to a man that was much sharper than they were.
Too bad Trump played the democrats for suckers, just like he's doing now. Now he's proving his point. Democrats and Republicans don't do what is right for their constituents, they do what is expedient for self enrichment. Just like he does.
The very democrats that now excoriate his behavior, ignored the fact that he was adept at squeezing tax abatements out of projects the law never intended them to include.
Where was the NYT outrage when it was relevant to the NY taxpayer that essentially was paying the bill? Where was the democrats in the State legislature? The answer? Surrendering to a man that was much sharper than they were.
Too bad Trump played the democrats for suckers, just like he's doing now. Now he's proving his point. Democrats and Republicans don't do what is right for their constituents, they do what is expedient for self enrichment. Just like he does.
5
There is no there, there to this story. The guy is straight up intolerant.
The question I have is why don't we blame his supporters? Why is it a 3rd rail to rail against supporters of intolerance?
He has dragged out the worst of America - the intolerant fascists who think they are the best americans. We have seen these before. They are precisely what catapulted the fascists into power in the early 20th century.
So all we have is the grey lady clutching her pearls? Pfft.
The question I have is why don't we blame his supporters? Why is it a 3rd rail to rail against supporters of intolerance?
He has dragged out the worst of America - the intolerant fascists who think they are the best americans. We have seen these before. They are precisely what catapulted the fascists into power in the early 20th century.
So all we have is the grey lady clutching her pearls? Pfft.
5
Trump touts himself as an outsider and a successful businessman, those are his two qualifications for why he should be president. But this report shows that much of his business success has been by aggressively pursuing every tax break available. Some of those negotiated settlements were ridiculously unfair to the tax payers - a 40 year tax-break !
Hoodwinking public officials who did a poor job of protecting the people's interests, or by outright bulling has been key to his success. It raises the question, how much of his wealth has been because of public officers who were easily duped or could be cowed into submission? Without such compliance would he be the public figure he is today? His casinos went belly-up, he was saved by resorting to junk bonds where again he duped the public.
Trump as president would be dependent upon continued good luck in finding such patsies in Congress and in foreign governments. But it is a different world he is entering than the one of the small businesses and city councilmen he has stepped on in the past. He will face sterner resistance and never be able to build walls or deliver trade deals based on his terms. His supporters will realize too late that he did dupe one last sucker - it was them.
Hoodwinking public officials who did a poor job of protecting the people's interests, or by outright bulling has been key to his success. It raises the question, how much of his wealth has been because of public officers who were easily duped or could be cowed into submission? Without such compliance would he be the public figure he is today? His casinos went belly-up, he was saved by resorting to junk bonds where again he duped the public.
Trump as president would be dependent upon continued good luck in finding such patsies in Congress and in foreign governments. But it is a different world he is entering than the one of the small businesses and city councilmen he has stepped on in the past. He will face sterner resistance and never be able to build walls or deliver trade deals based on his terms. His supporters will realize too late that he did dupe one last sucker - it was them.
4
Too bad u don't know what it takes to survive and grow your business. You have to be aggressive, have the guts to go after success and have the eyes out for perks embedded in the law. Mr. Trump broke no law.
It is easy to forget what NYC was like in the 70's and 80's. Movies like Escape from New York show how bad most people thought the future would be. The city desperate for development gave huge incentives to builders. Trump was only one of many. Today they look overly generous but hindsight is 20/20. There are many things about Trump which deserve scrutiny and criticism. But taking advantage of legitimate perfectly legal tax benefits in his real estate business in not one of them.
34
but 40 years. how is a decision that spans 10 election cycles a reasonable deal. that's how you end up with a bankrupt city
I actually was a projectionist at a movie theater at the time that came out and I had to sit through Escape from New York multiple times. Very dramatic if not melodramatic movie.
Nevertheless in my mind the story of New York of that time is exemplified by Soho. It was a run-down area in which all sorts of creative people found refuge and space. And inch by tiny inch, those "refugees" gave way to the more monied class that wanted the cachet that being in Soho gave them. The art galleries, of course, but also the bookstores and then restaurants of an ever higher priced menu options. And then came Victoria's Secret. One small business owner I was friends with, who ran two very successful toy stores, after over two decades of success finally gave up when his rent was suddenly tripled. Donald Trump would call this perfectly legal real estate business. Others will call it a natural evolution. I like to think that most normal people, especially those who lived there on a daily basis and witnessed the developments first hand, understood what was lost.
Nevertheless in my mind the story of New York of that time is exemplified by Soho. It was a run-down area in which all sorts of creative people found refuge and space. And inch by tiny inch, those "refugees" gave way to the more monied class that wanted the cachet that being in Soho gave them. The art galleries, of course, but also the bookstores and then restaurants of an ever higher priced menu options. And then came Victoria's Secret. One small business owner I was friends with, who ran two very successful toy stores, after over two decades of success finally gave up when his rent was suddenly tripled. Donald Trump would call this perfectly legal real estate business. Others will call it a natural evolution. I like to think that most normal people, especially those who lived there on a daily basis and witnessed the developments first hand, understood what was lost.
If you want to look at it from a real estate business perspective, where is Donald today in NYC? The answer is that he's a nobody. He's been beaten out of the market by better competitors and he's a has been. Related, Silverstein, etc., these are big boys. Donald lost because banks no longer wanted to back him and business partnerships ended in acrimony. He was locked out of the market. If you are going to praise Donald the taker than you have to accept Donald the loser. He's a zero in New York City commercial real estate development now because he's a loser.
So the Times is complaining about what, exactly? A corrupt NYC Mayor? The concept of tax incentives? Businessmen operating within the laws passed by the people's representatives?
This, in journalistic parlance, is what is known as a "Hit Piece"
This, in journalistic parlance, is what is known as a "Hit Piece"
7
@ NYT: Here's something to get your teeth into....
When is a corporate tax cut NOT a corporate tax cut?
When Donald makes it up. Remember he wanted to cut corporate taxes to
15%, and apply it to all corporations? He walked that back to only the large corporations, this week. But on average, corporations paid 12.5% tax in 2014. So a reduction to 15% is actually an increase.
But, wait, there's more, and it's key to restoring jobs:
National borders are fixed (absent wars), and investment capital is mobile.
Countries are in competition. The result is that hundreds of billions of dollars are loitering offshore, not being repatriated because of US corporate taxes.
The US has the highest corporate taxes of all industrial nations on the planet.
39.5%, averaged across the states. (they tax, too!). By contrast, the UK charges 20%. And many countries, like Ireland, hover around 12.5%. And some, like Ireland, offer tax reductions, if you create jobs. And global corporate rates have been going down for the past 15 years; US rates held steady.
Remember last week's EU kerfuffle about Ireland's taxing of Apple? Think the EU countries aren't in competition? Take a look at Indonesia and Malaysia and Thailand and Vietnam, and Taiwan...see where the semiconductor industry made its investments.
US tax policies chased jobs away, facilitated by advances in technology and communications. Lower corporate taxes, more jobs for you and me. Same revenue for the gov't.
When is a corporate tax cut NOT a corporate tax cut?
When Donald makes it up. Remember he wanted to cut corporate taxes to
15%, and apply it to all corporations? He walked that back to only the large corporations, this week. But on average, corporations paid 12.5% tax in 2014. So a reduction to 15% is actually an increase.
But, wait, there's more, and it's key to restoring jobs:
National borders are fixed (absent wars), and investment capital is mobile.
Countries are in competition. The result is that hundreds of billions of dollars are loitering offshore, not being repatriated because of US corporate taxes.
The US has the highest corporate taxes of all industrial nations on the planet.
39.5%, averaged across the states. (they tax, too!). By contrast, the UK charges 20%. And many countries, like Ireland, hover around 12.5%. And some, like Ireland, offer tax reductions, if you create jobs. And global corporate rates have been going down for the past 15 years; US rates held steady.
Remember last week's EU kerfuffle about Ireland's taxing of Apple? Think the EU countries aren't in competition? Take a look at Indonesia and Malaysia and Thailand and Vietnam, and Taiwan...see where the semiconductor industry made its investments.
US tax policies chased jobs away, facilitated by advances in technology and communications. Lower corporate taxes, more jobs for you and me. Same revenue for the gov't.
2
Donald's a solid business guy and deals effectively and profitably with his business environment. Gosh, that seems good to me. Hillary, on the other hand, in positions of public trust, not the business arena, has been venal and less than forthcoming for over 50 years ago. Goodness, she seems like a disaster we should end.
7
You are going back to her teen years when she was a Goldwater Republican when you go back over 50 years. And we must discount those years she spent working as an advocate for children and education.
NYC real estate development and tax deals are related? "Round up the usual suspects!" Anyone who has purchased a Tesla, Prius, solar cells, windmills, etc ... has benefited from tax subsidies ... try eliminating them and see who doesn't complain.
7
Obviously, it will be a disaster for the world's most powerful nation-state, for the most successful military-industrial complex in the history of mankind, if the blustering braggart is elected POTUS.
It will likely also prove to be a calamity of the highest order for the more than 7.2 billion of us who make up the species of intelligent hyper-aggressive ape that Carl Linnaeus so inappropriately misnamed 'Homo sapiens'.
But I take some grim solace from the knowledge that if this appalling human being does become POTUS, then it will likely herald in the beginning of the end times for what is possibly the only 'intelligent life form', not only in the Milky Way, but in the entire universe.
When the global nuclear war, commenced by a tetchy, vain and megalomaniacal American in response to the disrespectful provocations of an equally tetchy, vain and megalomaniacal North Korean, renders all life on Earth extinct except for a grey slime living at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, with my dying breath I shall exclaim, well at least he built Trump Tower.
It will likely also prove to be a calamity of the highest order for the more than 7.2 billion of us who make up the species of intelligent hyper-aggressive ape that Carl Linnaeus so inappropriately misnamed 'Homo sapiens'.
But I take some grim solace from the knowledge that if this appalling human being does become POTUS, then it will likely herald in the beginning of the end times for what is possibly the only 'intelligent life form', not only in the Milky Way, but in the entire universe.
When the global nuclear war, commenced by a tetchy, vain and megalomaniacal American in response to the disrespectful provocations of an equally tetchy, vain and megalomaniacal North Korean, renders all life on Earth extinct except for a grey slime living at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, with my dying breath I shall exclaim, well at least he built Trump Tower.
4
I wonder why those poor who are denied welfare benefits don't simply get their legal team to sue the government to obtain them in the end.
10
As many posts here show, a good con man will always attract a parade of acolytes and dupes willing to forgive anything he does, no matter how venal. Even as he is laughing at their gullibility. This is the essence of Trump.
10
While Trump supporters will myopically applaud his boast of "as a businessman I want to pay as little tax as possible," they conveniently ignore the fact that they (and the rest of us) have been picking up the slack while he reaps all the benefits. It is the measure of his character that Trump feels no compunction about this inherent unfairness. Do his fans seriously think that he suddenly feels their pain or that he will fight for their interests over his own? How do they explain this miraculous altruism?
10
Pls answer the question: " Did Donald Trump break any law in his pursuit if tax breaks?"
I answered your question in my original observation. I never said he broke any laws.This is not about criminality. It is about fairness. The fact that he happily boasts of tax breaks that the majority of Americans do not enjoy while they pay for his cleverness belies his current assertions that he will fight for the "little guy." He has never shown a scintilla of concern for his fellow citizens. To believe that somehow he is now the populist hero is risible.
Question to be asked by a debate moderator: Mr. Trump, you have been the beneficiary of millions of dollars of tax incentives and loopholes such that you have likely avoided paying much at all. As president, will you try to CLOSE these benefits, and the means by which they are inserted into the tax code?
11
No, I won't try to close them. They're an excellent means to attract businesses to localities that need them. The fact that you can't understand them does not compromise their usefulness one iota.
If only our politicians had the business acumen to spend the trillions they receive in taxpayer dollars wisely our country wouldn't be in such staggering debt. Unfortunately when our country is being run by career politicians who have never had to run a business, or make a payroll, this is the road our country will continue to travel. Time for a change., and her name isn't Clinton
4
I don't understand. Donald Trump is a Republican. Republicans advocate for lower taxes. Donald Trump talks about less taxes. In spite of any political views I may or may not hold, in line with the Republican want for laissez-faire economics and tax cuts, he is advocating and chasing everything that his party advocates and chases. In accordance with the Republican belief that less taxes will allow people to spend more and therefore stimulate the economy, he truly is not doing anything unusual or unexpected. He is simply chasing the things that his party advocates for. The fact that he repeatedly chases after tax breaks from the government (which are legal) says nothing about his character. He is a Republican businessman. His methodology of dodging taxes and cheapening the price of building has worked out for him in the long run (so far).
1
President Obama re the environment: “Nature’s actually resilient, if we take care to just stop actively destroying it."
Mr. Trump re his new Washington D.C. hotel: "It's going to be very, very special."
It's hard not to be depressed at the thought of the linguistically and ethically challenged Donald Trump becoming President of the United States. Can he even think beyond his own libido?
Mr. Trump re his new Washington D.C. hotel: "It's going to be very, very special."
It's hard not to be depressed at the thought of the linguistically and ethically challenged Donald Trump becoming President of the United States. Can he even think beyond his own libido?
10
apple and Orange
Of course most New Yorkers, we of the lost middle class, are well aware that the city government is, and has always been, beholden to the Real Estate developers in this city. While Trump is not alone in receiving special treatment, he stands out from some others by getting his tax abatement by using threats, (note the procedures that take place that when a threat is made that substantiate his close relationship with Mayors and other city officials) and legal manipulation. Beyond his pre-construction gifts that short change the citizens, he has also been shown to have used shoddy building methods. When receiving tax breaks for his Riverside "wall" cutting off air, light and views of the river from the West End of Manhattan, he reneged on a promise to subsidize a renovation of the West Side Highway. Rather than taking on the responsibility as promised, he complained that the city, having subsidized the restoration with taxpayer's funds, did not follow his plan to bury the highway so that his apartments would have a better view and less traffic noise. The willingness of powerful city leaders to defer to this man is matched only by the negligence of the Republican party to permit him to run for the office of President.
3
This article, while meant to denigrate Trump and point to how he allegedly is a greedy entrepreneur, just confirms my belief in him as a great leader and one who will get things done for the USA on the world stage. If he can do what he did in NYC, just think what he'll do for the country. Perhaps the NY Times could have published all the names of the donors to the Clinton Foundation on the front page but then that would not have pleased the leftist journalists and their 'non-deplorable' readers. After all, they are more intent in having Robin Hood Hillary for President than King Trump who will 'do a helluva lot more for the country.' We don't need a leftist nanny in the Whitehouse; we need a macher, a leader in President Trump.
5
Trump said that he spent his entire business career influencing politicians with his money. He said they could be bought for nothing. He said American's political leadership was either stupid or corrupt. That's why the Republican leadership hate him. He says he'll fight to fix the system. Hillary is busy taking bribes. I don't trust Trump, but one criminal admits what he did and says he'll stop others from doing it, the other, denys she is taking bribes from every powerful lobby in America.
5
Absolutely nothing wrong or inappropriate about taking full advantage of whtever grants, tax abatements, concessions, and other programs availlble to a developer to incentivise him to risk his capital and invest his sweat equity into the development of projects in the city. That is the kind of person we would want to have working for us in the Whit House bringing some fscal responsibility to out country! Well done we are proud of him!!
5
You really have to be insane to believe that this manipulater of the highest order is poised to become Robin Hood and use his knowledge of the rigged system for the greater good. He is hiding his taxes for a good, or several good reasons. He has not put a dime into his own charity for eight years, there is one record of him giving money from his actual account in that same eight year period and that might be an accounting error. He lies like the rest of the world breathes. Trump does not possess one redeeming human quality, which is glaringly obvious every time he opens his mouth. So Paul Ryan et al, I hope you enjoy getting that Supreme Court seat, throwing millions off of healthcare, and restoring more tax breaks for the elite, which, as always, WILL NOT trickle down. Trump's cozy ties with Russia and their increasingly aggressive moves, his plans to cleanse the country of brown people, non Christians and God only knows what he has in store for black folks and liberals as the seas rise, glaciers melt, islands vanish and our own coastline is decimated, will it be worth it?
7
The tax breaks Trump's ilk rely on to feed their greed is welfare for the rich. Poor folks don't have lobbyists and lawyers.
8
If you object to "tax breaks", change the law. Don't carp about investors following existing law.
4
Exactly, and what about double standards? I am still waiting for the article that mentions how all the biggest corporations do the same. Why not discussing welfare for the rich in a holistic manner? All I can read in this ad is a personal attack fallacy.
Fabulous article by Charles Bagli, who has written brilliantly about New York's real estate developers and landlords. These folks will scheme and bribe, but at least there is a document of their activities. Now we need articles about the politicians and judges who were bribed for these activities to happen.
10
Exactly! That would take courage and sure some heads would roll!
4
So under the terms of the agreement, the city forgave taxes initially estimated at $4 million/year and would be paid back money every year. As property values rose substantially, the Times reports that's figure is now $360 million - but it doesn't factor in the $200 million paid back to the city.
Sounds reasonable and free of bias.
/s
Sounds reasonable and free of bias.
/s
1
Whoops! Here's a somewhat forgotten quick History lesson:
Remember- The Commodore Hotel-> (now The Grand Hyatt) was a huge vacant broken-down building very much in disrepair; and which no developer at the time would touch. This property was definitely falling apart and going to seed! It was an eyesore and a blight, hard-by Grand Central Station on East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan's then emerging business district.
Mr. Trump and Organization did (what was hailed at the time!) a very smart thing! Rather than demolishing the existing structure- and building new; Mr. Trump took the otherwise sturdy building down to it's bare structural integrity; AND THEN build anew atop this well built framework giving us a profitable GRAND HYATT HOTEL!
Cost to NYC in tax credits: $380 Mil. / 36-years = $10.5mil per year. This is well offset by OTHER taxes paid: Payroll Taxes; Sales Taxes; and other Taxes resulting from the increased business/tourist traffic drawn to this beautiful hotel. . .
and soon to be; the subsequent Property Taxes!!
WOW! A Bargain! New York City wins, as does Mr. Trump. Pretty Smart if you ask anyone without a partisan agenda- and who knows how to use a calculator and a minimum of a thing or two about the economics of running a business!
Remember- The Commodore Hotel-> (now The Grand Hyatt) was a huge vacant broken-down building very much in disrepair; and which no developer at the time would touch. This property was definitely falling apart and going to seed! It was an eyesore and a blight, hard-by Grand Central Station on East 42nd Street in Midtown Manhattan's then emerging business district.
Mr. Trump and Organization did (what was hailed at the time!) a very smart thing! Rather than demolishing the existing structure- and building new; Mr. Trump took the otherwise sturdy building down to it's bare structural integrity; AND THEN build anew atop this well built framework giving us a profitable GRAND HYATT HOTEL!
Cost to NYC in tax credits: $380 Mil. / 36-years = $10.5mil per year. This is well offset by OTHER taxes paid: Payroll Taxes; Sales Taxes; and other Taxes resulting from the increased business/tourist traffic drawn to this beautiful hotel. . .
and soon to be; the subsequent Property Taxes!!
WOW! A Bargain! New York City wins, as does Mr. Trump. Pretty Smart if you ask anyone without a partisan agenda- and who knows how to use a calculator and a minimum of a thing or two about the economics of running a business!
5
Maybe this country does need to be dragged through the gutter under a Trump presidency before the nation comes together to salvage what's left of the collective soul.
2
The Orange One is no different that many of the wealthy in the US, they live off of the middle and lower classes by getting tax breaks which do not contribute to the social good while using the GOP tax cuts to reduce or eliminate their own tax burden. Think the Waltons, K-Mart, Mall developers, etc, all parasites on the body politic.
The crime is that the uneducated continue to elect these bozo's and their bought officials to the public offices that allow such immoral behavior. As Ben Franklin commented, "you have a republic if you can keep it". We haven't kept it.
Think and then vote in November.
The crime is that the uneducated continue to elect these bozo's and their bought officials to the public offices that allow such immoral behavior. As Ben Franklin commented, "you have a republic if you can keep it". We haven't kept it.
Think and then vote in November.
4
Those who excuse Donald's determination to pay as little in tax and to take advantage of every program to subsidize development as "business as usual" forget the obvious negative implication. These benefits are quid pro quo for dollars funneled into political campaigns. He brags about it. He claims he'll stop others from following his lead. Meantime he squeezes the smaller folks out of the way, people who might manage the properties better. You know, pay the subcontractors and such. Not adopt a litigation strategy as a business model, break the law knowingly and then just stonewall the government watchdogs in court over and over. Eventually prosecutors have to give up and make deals with Donald. He's got more legal weapons than they do and they have to meet the burden of proof. And as president, he'll really stop doing it. Why bother? He can just back up his vans to Fort Knox and load them with gold, Saddam-style.
4
Presumably Mr. Bagli sits in a an office in the paper's headquarters on Eighth Avenue. The property for the building was acquired by the Empire Development Corporation using eminent domain and then leased to the Times for a below market rent for 99 years. The Times also received significant tax breaks.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/28/nyregion/deal-reached-to-acquire-land-...
The EDC sold bonds to acquire the property and for every dollar in tax breaks the Times received other no so fortunate taxpayers had and will continue to have pay more.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/28/nyregion/deal-reached-to-acquire-land-...
The EDC sold bonds to acquire the property and for every dollar in tax breaks the Times received other no so fortunate taxpayers had and will continue to have pay more.
7
The NY Times, unlike DJT, performs a public service in being a large newspaper with national distribution. Its products exist to inform the electorate and to represent the Fourth Estate. DJT's business exists to enrich himself.
Additionally, did the NY Times obtain its tax break through strong-arming, litigation, bribing judges, or threatening the jobs of public servants? Did it take money earmarked for small business' recovery after 9/11, without actually having a building that was damaged?
I'm betting no. If you can't tell the difference between a legitimate tax break and one obtained through subterfuge, threats, and lies, then you are part of what's wrong with this country, because you're either lacking in discernment, or have failed to develop a sense of morality and a set of ethics.
Additionally, did the NY Times obtain its tax break through strong-arming, litigation, bribing judges, or threatening the jobs of public servants? Did it take money earmarked for small business' recovery after 9/11, without actually having a building that was damaged?
I'm betting no. If you can't tell the difference between a legitimate tax break and one obtained through subterfuge, threats, and lies, then you are part of what's wrong with this country, because you're either lacking in discernment, or have failed to develop a sense of morality and a set of ethics.
1
Allison- Your reply exemplifies why the US is so polarized. Attacking me does not change the fact that the Times also took advantage of tax programs used by developers. Yes I believe the Times is hypocritical for ignoring its own use of these programs while going after Trump. So what if Trump lobbied heavily and filed lawsuits to get these benefits for his projects? In the end, many of his projects in NYC helped turn around neighborhoods and in the process enabled people to have jobs building them and working in these buildings. You do not know me. I am a life long New Yorker who lived through the 9/11 attack. I saw first hand the damage it caused to my fellow New Yorkers. Do not give me any 9/11 lectures while you sit in Austin. Every day we face the risk of more attacks as demonstrated by this past weekend. Yet we get up and go to work every day and pay our taxes. When we are attacked, we clean up, rebuild and continue with our lives. If you think that I am what is wrong with this country, then I start the day with a little less optimism for our country's future.
The biggest losers in this election is the news media because they have not done their real job - telling us the real news and the truth. The news media has been so unfair in the way they have gone after Hillary on minor things or criticizing her for good things while until now, not going after his horrible business practices and ties to our enemies and criminals. You are losing the people who read papers and watch real news(not faux news) most. The next worse thing is Citizens United which has to go. The Democrats will get rid of it and the Republicans will make it worse.
2
So has every other business person and large corporation in America.
And Bill and Hillary.
And Bill and Hillary.
6
Trump says the system is rigged and he is the one who rigged it.
4
Now we know how Donald made his money. I assume that you're also going to publish an expose on how Bill and Hillary amassed a $120+ million dollar fortune while spending their entire careers in politics. Perhaps that would be far more enlightening than learning how a businessman used every legal means available to him to build his wealth.
6
Donald Trump belongs in the Big House, not the White House.
10
the bottom line is - these stories are not read by vast of america nytimes appeals only to the most educated .... so i am not sure how this helps changes peoples minds .... story after story read by the few only
1