Trump’s Self-Serving Business Agenda

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Donald Trump has held 32 events at Trump properties in 16 months of running for President

Today, Hillary Clinton returned to Florida to layout what’s on the ballot this election — an economy that works for everyone not just those at the top. She shared her vision for more good jobs, economic fairness and how to bring Americans together. Meanwhile, Trump spent the morning promoting the opening of his new hotel, making this the 32nd event at Trump properties in 16 months of running for president.

From his using his presidential campaign to promote his business, to a decades-long practice of stiffing small businesses, to outsourcing jobs, to his proposal to cut taxes for billionaires like himself at the expense of everyone else, Trump’s self-serving agenda is clear. America deserves better than Trump – a candidate who would rather line his own pockets than prioritize our economy, businesses, and workers.

Donald Trump’s trickle-down economic tax plan would include cutting taxes for billionaires like himself and his family, at the expense of everyone else.

Trump has doubled down on his promise to repeal the estate tax, which would give his own family as much as a $4 billion windfall. Just think about what we could do instead with that one $4 billion windfall alone, which is just for Donald Trump’s family, if we invested it in America.

Trump’s plan includes a massive loophole that gives many millionaires and billionaires like himself a backdoor tax cut, letting them pay less than half the current tax rate on a substantial portion of their income.

Trump claims his tax cuts would be paid for by economic growth – but they come at the expense of hardworking Americans.  Far from growing the economy, experts on both sides of the aisle predict that Trump’s plans would risk a recession.

Trump’s tax plan is a bait and switch – he claims he’ll protect middle class families, but what he actually does is give huge tax breaks to the rich while raising taxes on at least 8 million middle-class families.

Trump called his tax avoidance “smart.”  Trump’s tax avoidance is not smart – it means $0 for first responders, $0 for education, $0 for veterans and $0 for our military.

New York Times: “Trump declared a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns, a tax deduction so substantial it could have allowed him to legally avoid paying any federal income taxes for up to 18 years.”

New York Times: “Donald J. Trump explicitly acknowledged for the first time during the first presidential debate that he used a $916 million loss that he reported on his 1995 income tax returns to avoid paying personal federal income taxes for years.” Trump’s business failures eventually led to multiple bankruptcies of his companies, which were devastating for his former employees and small contractors. Trump continued to earn millions.

Trump’s business failures eventually led to multiple bankruptcies of his companies, which were devastating for his former employees and small contractors. Trump continued to earn millions.

New York Times: “But even as his companies did poorly, Mr. Trump did well. He put up little of his own money, shifted personal debts to the casinos and collected millions of dollars in salary, bonuses and other payments. The burden of his failures fell on investors and others who had bet on his business acumen.”

Wall Street Journal: “An analysis by Temple University law professor Jonathan Lipson ranked Trump-branded casinos ‘the worst’ among their peers when it came to jobs over a 14-year period. Mr. Lipson, a bankruptcy scholar, found that Trump casinos shed some 7,400 jobs between 1997 and 2010. That works out, on average, to job losses per casino of 900—37% higher than at other Atlantic City gambling venues in the same period.”

No business person or contractor has proven too small for Trump to stiff, no single parent or retiree too in-need to escape the target of Trump University’s scams. The truth is that Donald Trump’s business antics have spelled disaster for countless working people and small businesses.

Trump has repeatedly refused to make good on his obligations to pay small businesses and contractors for work – from Marty Rosenberg, whose family business was paid hundreds of thousands less than it was owed for its work at Trump’s casino, to Andrew Tesoro, the architect of one of Trump’s golf course clubhouse who was told by Trump’s lawyers to accept pennies on the dollar or he’d be tied up in court for years.

Trump doesn’t buy American-made and his own products are outsourced.

The products that are branded with Trump’s name are outsourced from at least 12 countries. That doesn’t include the products used in his hotels and casinos, from bed linens made in Italy to furniture made in China.

Trump has used his campaign to promote and funnel money into his businesses.

Politico: “Trump’s Campaign Paid His Businesses $8.2 Million”

Politico: “Trump has used the campaign itself as a marketing platform to promote everything from the difficult-to-find Trump Steaks to his golf courses and a new Washington hotel. Trump’s tangle of businesses has raised concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest should he win the presidency, while the Trump-branded campaign has drawn mockery and allegations of pocket-padding from Trump’s critics.’”

Huffington Post: “Donald Trump used small donors’ money to buy nearly $300,000 worth of books from the publisher of his Art of the Deal last month, continuing a pattern of plowing campaign money back into his own businesses.”

@KatyTurNBC: “After this morning’s ribbon cutting, Trump will have held 32 events at Trump properties in 16 months of running for President”

Today, Trump is Washington, DC to open a new luxury hotel where he unsurprisingly used undocumented workers to make his project cheaper.  He even sued the District of Columbia in an attempt to pay lower taxes for the property.

Washington Post: “[A] Trump company may be relying on some undocumented workers to finish the $200 million hotel, which will sit five blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue, according to several who work there.”

Politico: “The city of Washington, D.C., is fighting Donald Trump’s legal drive to cut his tax bills for the luxury hotel he’s set to open in the Old Post Office Building next month … Attorneys for the Republican presidential nominee and real estate mogul contend that the roughly $1.7 million annual tax bills for the development for 2015 and 2016 were too high.”

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on TwitterFacebookYouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

Hillary Clinton Statement on Endorsement of Association of Flight Attendants

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Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of the Association of Flight Attendants adding to the growing list of labor unions supporting Clinton for president. In a release, the group states their support of Clinton stems from their long relationship with her. They said, “We have experience with Hillary Clinton as a champion for Flight Attendants, especially as the leading voice for the technical correction to FMLA and the relentless advocate for 9/11 first responders. Recognizing the importance of this election and our experience with Secretary Clinton, the AFA-CWA Board of Directors endorses Hillary Clinton for the next President of the United States.” Clinton responded to the endorsement with the following statement.

“For over 70 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has helped raise wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members all across – and above – America.  Over the decades, it has brought our nation’s attention to important issues like discrimination, outsourcing, and equal pay. Every American worker deserves an advocate like the AFA in their corner, and I’m honored to have earned their endorsement.

Throughout my career, the AFA and I have partnered to fight for fairer labor standards. In the Senate, I led the effort to ensure AFA members had access to Family and Medical Leave Act benefits. And we’ve always stood up for women who have been treated unequally in the workforce.

The stakes in this election could not be higher. Donald Trump stood on a debate stage and said that wages are ‘too high’ in this country.  He opposes policies that would make it easier for people to balance work and family, including guaranteeing paid leave for all families and working for equal pay for women. He even personally hired a union-busting firm to keep workers at his hotel in Las Vegas from organizing.

If I’m elected in November, labor will always have a champion in the White House. Together, we’ll build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. We’ll say no to bad trade deals, no to attacks on workers, and no to discriminatory and sexist policies. And I’m glad to know the AFA will be at my side as we stand up for American workers.”

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, be sure to subscribe to the campaign’s official Podcast, With Her.

News Source: AFA-CWA

Hillary Clinton Presents Manufacturing Plan in Syracuse

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On Friday, Hillary Clinton held two public events in Syracuse, New York. The first was a round table discussion during which she unveiled her plans to boost manufacturing. The plan calls for an investment of $10 billion and is called “Make it in America.” The basic components of the plan include:

  • The establishment of “Make it in America Partnerships” that make America the first choice for manufacturing production by harnessing regional strengths.
  • Prevent foreign countries like China from abusing global trade rules, and reject trade agreements that do not meet high standards.
  • Revitalize the hardest-hit manufacturing communities.
  • Crack down on companies shipping jobs and earnings overseas – and create incentives for companies to bring back jobs to the U.S.
  • Invest in America’s manufacturing workforce to ensure that they will always be the best in the world.

Full details of her plan can be read on The Briefing, and a video from the round table event is below.

Clinton then held a public rally in Syracuse’s Regional Market where she covered a number of topics including her pledge to fight for equal pay for women, making higher education more affordable, and growing the economy of New York and and the country. She also touched on the topic she covered earlier in the day at the small business round table saying, “Upstate New York has a storied history of manufacturing. We now have a chance to recapture that.” While in Syracuse, Clinton also made stop at Varsity Pizza where she posed for pictures and signed basketballs. A video from the event will be added when/if available.

Clinton also attended two fundraisers today. The first was held before the rally in Syracuse where donors could meet Clinton. She then traveled to New Jersey for a fundraiser in Tenafly.

For all the latest, follow our revamped Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

News Source: Syracuse.com, WXXI, Syracuse.com, The Briefing

Hillary Clinton Wins Mississippi Democratic Primary

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Hillary Clinton soundly won the Mississippi Democratic primary with the final tally being 82.6% to 16.5%. In Michigan, Clinton’s Democratic rival Bernie Sanders pulled off a surprising upset and won the state by the narrow margin of 49.8% to 48.3%. In the delegate count, Clinton actually extended her lead due to the way delegates are assigned proportionally.

Before the final results in Michigan were in, Clinton spoke to supporters in Cleveland, Ohio. She spoke briefly about the win in Mississippi, then turned her attention to Ohio. She spoke about her plans going forward in the campaign and how the 2016 race for president is more important than ever. She addressed a number of topics including lead poisoning and how it affect Cleveland, companies outsourcing jobs, gun violence, and the economy. A video from her speech is below.

For all the latest, follow our revamped Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

News Source: Politico, Cleveland.com, CNN

Hillary Campaigns in MA, VA on Eve of Super Tuesday

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On Monday, Hillary Clinton was on the campaign trail for the final day before tomorrow’s Super Tuesday primaries. Clinton began her day in Massachusetts attending Get Out the Vote events in Springfield and Boston. Speaking to a crowd of over 700 in Springfield, Clinton focused on jobs and eliminating the benefits companies are receiving for outsourcing jobs to countries overseas. She spoke about a number of other platform points before asking voters to support her in tomorrow’s primary saying, “Massachusetts is right in the middle of it and I need your help. I need your help to go and vote tomorrow and bring people to go with you.” A video of Clinton’s speech is below.

In Boston, Clinton spoke to supporters at the Old South Meeting House. She used her speech to turn her attention to Republicans and how her plans contrast from theirs. Clinton spoke about several platform points including heath care, the economy, and making higher education more affordable, but she also spoke about bipartisanship. She said that while Republicans have failed to compromise, the founders of this country relied on it adding that, “Democracy requires that we play well with others.” A video from her speech will be posted when/if available.

Clinton then attended a Get Out the Vote event in Fairfax, Virginia. During her speech, she turned attention way from the primaries and focused on her strategy against the Republican Party. She criticized Republicans for threatening to take America backwards by re-introducing trickle-down economics, privatizing Social Security, and repealing the Affordable Care Act. Clinton said that the next president needs to build upon what is in place. In addition, she criticized Republicans for rolling back voter rights and standing in the way of women’s rights and LBGT rights saying, “It doesn’t seem like the Republicans respect anybody’s rights except the wealthy and well-connected.” A video from the speech is below.

In Norfolk, Clinton spoke at Lake Taylor Senior High School where she continued to go after Republicans and focused on her platform and plans for the future. She spoke about the importance of foreign policy and working with our Muslim allies to fight ISIS. Clinton said that Trump’s comments play into the hands of ISIS. She said, “It’s not only offensive, it’s dangerous. It matters what you say when you run for president. And it really matters if you are president.” A video from the Norfolk event is below.

Tomorrow is Super Tuesday! Chelsea and Bill are expected to join Hillary in Florida tomorrow night for a Super Tuesday Event. For all the latest, follow our revamped Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

News Source: WAVY, News 10, WRGB, Boston Globe