Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, and Seth Meyers have some thoughts on the $1 billion losses in Trump's taxes
Everyone has a theory about why President Trump is hiding his tax returns, Trevor Noah said on Wednesday's Daily Show. "Some people think it's because he cheated on his taxes, or because he took money from unsavory people. My conspiracy theory is that he's hiding the extra income he makes working part-time at TGI Fridays." But while "no one knows for sure what's hiding in Trump's taxes," he said, "last night The New York Times found out what he used to be hiding": $1.17 billion in losses from 1985 to 1994.
Yes, "for 10 years, Donald Trump might have lost more money than any person in America," Noah said, and this "is the same guy who claims to be the best businessman. That's like finding out Hugh Hefner died a virgin." But not everyone thinks this proves Trump is "a shady loser," he added, playing a Fox & Friends clip. "Here's the thing: Fox & Friends aren't outliers. Many Trump supporters feel Trump losing a billion dollar just shows how successful he was."
"Keep in mind, '85 to '94 was Trump's prime, those were his salad days — minus the salad," Stephen Colbert said at The Late Show. "Everything we thought we knew about Trump back then is a lie." He was bemused at Trump's tweeted defense and half-agreed with one part of the positive spin from Fox & Friends: "Yes, we've noticed he's a little different. If he were most people, he would either be in jail or napping on the couch while his children quietly discuss 'the next steps.'"
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.
"This isn't just a story about Trump — we already knew he was a con artist," Seth Meyers said at Late Night. "It's also a story about the thing Trump cynically claimed to fix, the thing he actually benefitted from his entire life — the rigged system. Most regular people are one layoff or medical emergency away from a financial crisis, but this guy lost a billion dollars over 10 years and he ended up fine," mostly. Watch below. Peter Weber
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.
-
2024: The year of conspiracy theories
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Global strife and domestic electoral tensions made this year a bonanza for outlandish worldviews and self-justifying explanations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Five medical breakthroughs of 2024
The Explainer The year's new discoveries for health conditions that affect millions
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Top films coming out in 2025
The Week Recommends Pick up some popcorn and settle in for a cinematic treat
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published