Donald Trumped
Biden paid 400 times more tax than President, he reveals
PRESIDENTIAL frontrunner Joe Biden took a swipe at Donald Trump last night hours by unveiling his tax returns – showing he paid 400 times more than the billionaire.
Hours before the two men were scheduled to clash in their first US election debate, Mr Biden went on the attack over the revelation that the President forked out just $750 in federal income levies in the year he was elected.
In comparison, Mr Biden and wife Jill paid $299,346 (£232,696) tax – a 31 per cent rate – on $944,737 (£734,391) earnings last year. He released similar forms for previous years.
Analysts predicted a ‘bar room brawl’ of a debate held early this morning amid disclosures that Mr Trump did not pay tax in ten of the past 15 years.
The news has rocked the election race with five weeks to go. It was also claimed yesterday that Mr Trump’s property empire had $89.9million (£70million) losses when he received a $427million lifeline (£332million) from hosting the US version of The Apprentice.
When it became a hit he cashed in through endorsements – including for Oreos, Domino’s Pizza and a laundry detergent with the slogan: ‘Softness fit for a Trump.’
Millions were set to watch Democrat Mr Biden, 77, and Mr Trump, 74, slug it out in Ohio – a key swing state. Republican strategist Terry Sullivan said: ‘Every aspect is going to be a bar room brawl from the beginning. That machismo is going to really come across when they’re face-to-face.’
Polls show Mr Biden has a ten point lead over the President. In the debate, Mr Biden was expected to seize on the New York Times reports about Mr Trump’s commercial losses. The disclosures undermine the President’s image as a master businessman and dealmaker. Mr Trump has called the reports ‘fake news’.