On April 15, the day traditionally recognized as Tax Day, thousands of protesters gathered in dozens of protests across the United States to pressure President Donald Trump into releasing his tax returns. It has been an issue leading up to and since the election.
Even though it’s not required for presidents to release their tax returns, it has been a common practice since the 1970s.
Some of those in favor of Trump releasing his tax returns argue that it’s an important step in understanding where he makes his money from and what his potential conflicts of interest might be.
There's no excuse for President Trump not to release his taxes. They're key to understanding whether he has conflicts of interest. #TaxMarch
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) April 15, 2017
The reasons why Trump won't show his tax returns #taxmarch #trumprussia pic.twitter.com/PGSsbiXUbm
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) April 15, 2017
They made signs and marched in cities including Washington, D.C., Seattle and New York City.
It's #TaxDay. But for thousands around the country, it's also #TaxMarch – citizens calling on @realDonaldTrump to show his taxes. @MSNBC pic.twitter.com/gjfeKqtCOF
— Morgan Radford (@MorganRadford) April 15, 2017
Some of their opponents argued Trump’s tax returns aren’t necessary and that the marches caused violence. Others pointed to global events, saying Trump’s tax returns are not of high importance.
Only a liberal would walk in a #TaxMarch over Trump's taxes on a day where the North Koreans are threatening thermonuclear war. #Priorities
— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) April 15, 2017
Go home before you get hurt losers. Trump paid more taxes than all of your favorite politicians including Bernie Sanders. #TaxMarch pic.twitter.com/I2ysfYPBRP
— Steve Hirsch (@Stevenwhirsch99) April 15, 2017
The White House has declined to release the tax returns, citing an ongoing audit by the IRS.
Trump himself is a frequent Twitter user and took to the platform himself to respond to the marches and the subject of his tax returns, skipping out on the conversation with the #TaxDay and #TaxMarch hashtags, though.
I did what was an almost an impossible thing to do for a Republican-easily won the Electoral College! Now Tax Returns are brought up again?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 16, 2017
Someone should look into who paid for the small organized rallies yesterday. The election is over!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 16, 2017
Hillary Clinton’s press secretary during her presidential campaign, Brian Fallon, labeled Trump’s Tweets as a small victory for the protesters and the effort to uncover Trump’s tax returns.
If you showed up at a #taxmarch event yesterday, your voice was heard and you are inside the President's head.https://t.co/alyv0y7ytC
— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) April 16, 2017
Great article, I think that it is really interesting that social media has enabled President Trump to informally comment on an event like the #TaxMarch. Before social media the only real way for President Trump to make a comment on such an event and communicate directly with the people participating in the event would be to call a press conference and or to make some type of more formal announcement.