Critics of the Republican tax plan proposed by President Donald Trump describe it as a "gift for the rich." Now, Ohio and New York media markets are running ads funded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce swearing that it benefits regular Americans. Their problem, however, is that none of the people in the ads would benefit from Trump's plan.
An Intercept report details that Dow Chemical, Goldman Sachs and Microsoft are behind the ads, which feature a retail clerk, a mechanic, a man standing with tools, a factory worker and a woman sitting in an office. According to analysis of the plan, those in the ad would actually benefit the least, while those funding the ad would benefit more.
"Tax reform is about putting more money in your pocket," one woman said in the ad.
"It's about fairness, and the American Dream," said another woman.
The significant tax cut comes for those making over $418,400 for individuals or $470,700 for couples. It also slashes the estate tax, a tax issued to those who die and leave over $5.49 million in in assets to family. Lawyers and hedge fund managers will see their tax rate drop to the same tax rate small businesses pay.
None of those appear in the ad.
A report from Public Citizen, revealed that the so-called "voice of business," the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is actually only funded by a mere 64 donors. Companies like Prudential, MetLife, AT&T, Bayer, Dow Chemical, Goldman Sachs and Microsoft are required to give at least $500,000
While Trump has been touting his tax plan, it is at risk of falling flat after the president picked a fight with one senator who could be the deciding vote. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) also refuses to support any bill that includes tax cuts.
“The danger for this bill right now is the pay-for may be a middle-class tax hike. And if that’s that, it’s going to be a real problem,” Paul told Politico. “If you lower the taxes on the rich and lower the taxes on the poor and then say, ‘Oh it’s going to be revenue neutral,’ we’ve got to raise somebody’s taxes to pay for it.”
Another political group, The American Action Network, has an ad out that talks about a family that lives paycheck to paycheck. “Congress, do the right thing for working families and give us a simpler, fairer tax code," she said. Unless her paycheck totals more than $470,000 each year, she won't benefit from the so-called "fixes" to the tax code either.
The Koch Brothers are also getting in the game with an Americans for Prosperity ad that essentially quoting Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), who frequently claims that the system is rigged. Instead, the Koch brothers' ad advocates cutting the estate tax. It just fails to mention the estate tax is only for those with more than a $5.49 million estate. Nor does the ad mention it's paid for by two of the richest men in the United States.
Watch the ads below:
