Rachel Maddow Likely Broke the Law with Trump Tax Release Fiasco


In response to the publicity about the MSNBC scoop, the White House issued a statement regarding the release of the 2005 tax information.

Despite this substantial income figure and tax paid, it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns. The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans.”

The White House backed up its position by citing a federal law that spells out the potential punishment for releasing confidential tax information.

It shall be unlawful for any person to whom any return or return information (as defined in section 6103(b)) is disclosed in a manner unauthorized by the title thereafter willfully to print or publish in any manner not provided by law any such return or return information. Any violation of this paragraph shall be a felony punishable by a fine in any amount not exceeding $5,000, or imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution.”

Legal analysts have a general consensus that it is clearly illegal to steal and publish such tax information, or for the IRS to release it without permission. However, some legal experts contend if the information arrives unsolicited from an unknown source, then the entity or individual publishing it would likely be protected under the First Amendment.

During the course of the broadcast, Maddow confirmed that she had received copies of the 2005 tax return from Daily Beast reporter David Cay Johnston, a long-time Trump nemesis. Johnston in turn asserted the copies just showed up in his mailbox. He made the absurd claim that perhaps the return was leaked deliberately by President Trump.

Maddow critics now are skewering her for creating a fiasco along the lines of Geraldo Rivera’s legendary flop with Al Capone’s secret vault. Even Geraldo is laughing at her.

The beleaguered MSNBC host revealed the tax return information after a rambling 20-minute monologue interwoven with bizarre conspiracy theories about Trump’s relationship with Russian oligarchs, Florida real estate, Deutsche Bank and Preet Bharara as reasons why Mr. Trump hadn’t released his tax returns.

The real beneficiary of the program was President Trump, who was shown to have paid taxes at a rate of about 25%, much higher than those of Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Comcast, the company that owns MSNBC. It totally demolished claims by hard-left Democrats that Trump did not pay any taxes and that’s why he hasn’t released his returns.

The story was yet another demonstration of the media’s unrelenting drive to generate “fake news” to discredit the President and undermine his presidency.

Most telling, Slate, certainly no fan of President Trump, took MSNBC to task for the broadcasting debacle.

Trump’s tax returns, whatever information they happen to contain, constitute a major scoop. Maddow’s social media team ensured the highest possible ratings for that scoop. But if ever a story should have been delivered in a stentorian, fuddy-duddy, nonpartisan manner, this was it. In positioning it as a grand revelation, a vital step in comprehending Trump’s corruption, MSNBC created an exceedingly cynical spectacle.”

Just two days after the broadcast, the furor has not died down. Maddow is struggling to defend herself in the face of continued criticism and mockery.  It remains to be seen if Maddow and/or Johnston will face any legal consequences.

Source: Slate



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  1. Denver Dennis

    Pathological liar. Sad to go thru life believing your own lies.

    Reply
  2. Edward Zaleski

    SO…. WHERE’S THE ARREST???????

    Reply
  3. Sharon Salter Freeman

    Gag this maggot

    Reply
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