Donald Trump suggests the IRS is auditing him because he's 'a strong Christian'
After Thursday night's CNN Republican debate, Chris Cuomo talked to Donald Trump about this tax returns and the criticism from Mitt Romney. Trump said that Romney was a horrible candidate and is just trying to "remain relevant." Then he repeated his contention from the debate that he isn't releasing his returns because he's being audited. The repeated audits probably aren't fair, Trump added, then suggested that it's "maybe because of religion, maybe because of something else." Cuomo, surprised, asked what he meant. "Well, maybe because of the fact that I'm a strong Christian," Trump said, "and I feel strongly about it, and maybe there's a bias." Cuomo seemed a little incredulous. "You think you're being audited because you're a strong Christian?" he asked. "Well, you've seen what's happened," Trump said. You can watch the claims of persecution starting at about the 5-minute mark. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - January 5, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - anti-vaxxers, peace in the Middle East, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 contentious cartoons on the H-1B visa controversy
Artists take on beneficial immigrants, a MAGA split, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Crossword: January 5, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Chief justice warns against defying Supreme Court
Speed Read Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts noted that public officials keep threatening to ignore lawful court rulings
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Orleans truck attack linked to ISIS kills 15
Speed Read A pickup truck drove into a crowd on New Year's Day in the French Quarter
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Putin says Russia isn't weakened by Syria setback
Speed Read Russia had been one of the key backers of Syria's ousted Assad regime
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Georgia DA Fani Willis removed from Trump case
Speed Read Willis had been prosecuting the election interference case against the president-elect
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats blame 'President Musk' for looming shutdown
Speed Read The House of Representatives rejected a spending package that would've funding the government into 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published