Trump’s latest tweet about the new tax bill is dangerously absurd, and here’s why

Unfortunately, it seems impossible to go a day without hearing about President Donald Trump’s latest ridiculous claim on Twitter. Case in point: today Trump claimed the only people opposed to the Republican tax bill are the ones who “don’t understand it.”

Specifically, his tweet said, "The only people who don't like the Tax Cut Bill are the people that don't understand it or the Obstructionist Democrats that know how really good it is and do not want the credit or success to go to the Republicans!"

The bill Trump referred to in his tweet was introduced by Republicans and would decrease the tax rate for corporations from 35 percent to 20 percent. The Senate voted on November 29th to begin debate over the bill. It has already passed through the House of Representatives and the Senate Budget Committee.

https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/936039501474025473

But Trump’s argument that the bill’s critics just don’t “understand” is straight-up wrong.

A University of Chicago survey found that only one of 38 economists believes that the tax bill will result in economic gain. And all of them agree that the bill will increase our national debt — by about $1.4 trillion in the next 10 years. The bill would also dramatically increase the taxes paid by people making $40,000-$50,000, while decreasing taxes for those who make more than $1 million.

The bill could also have a negative impact on students.

Under the new tax plan, graduate students who receive tuition waivers would have the value of their tuition added to their taxable income. They would be paying tax on money they never earned. The current version of the bill being debated in the Senate does not include this, but the House bill did, so there’s still the danger that if both are passed this provision could become law.

You think #inequality is bad in the US now?
"Hold my beer," says the entire #GOPTaxScam
History has its eyes on every last one of you…and my children will rue the day your donors bought you.

— Jack D Bridges (@rocker_jdb) November 30, 2017

And health care could be impacted, too.

Republicans are trying to include a provision in the bill to remove part of Obamacare. This provision would make the purchase of health insurance optional, which experts say could cause the prices of health care to rise.

Basically, despite what Trump tweeted, lots of people who understand the tax bill don’t like it. And they have many (nonpartisan) reasons.

.@realDonaldTrump-I’ve read the tax bill in its entirety, all 429 stupid pages of it. I know for a fact you haven’t read one word of it. So don’t act like we don’t understand the bill when you haven’t even read it. It benefits rich people & screws everyone else. #GOPTaxScam https://t.co/EXllRGq5vL

— Scott Dworkin (@funder) November 30, 2017

Maybe we should be taking a closer look at those in favor of the reforms. After all, Trump himself would benefit from this tax plan. It’s important that we stay informed as citizens, and that we do our best to fight for laws that benefit us all — not just the wealthy.