CNN anchor Don Lemon on Wednesday told a heartbreaking story of President Donald Trump's tax plan putting profound pressure on Gold Star families.
"Michael Braden was a Captain in the Army who lost his life in April of 2012, during his [unintelligible] tour in the Middle East," Lemon noted.
"Three months prior to his death, he and his wife, Jessica, adopted a son, James, who's now nine-year-old," he continued.
"Since his father passed in 2012, James has been receiving money as part of the survivor's benefit plan, where every year since his father's death, James paid roughly $1,100 in taxes," Lemon reported. "This year -- as a result of the changes in tax code pushed through by the president and Republicans in Congress -- that jumped to almost $4,500."
"Jessica and her son, James, they are not alone. The military publication Task and Purpose found they're among several Gold Star Families who are facing an unexpected tax burden," he noted.
Jessica joined him to explain her family's situation.
"How are families like yours dealing?" Lemon asked. "Because this is a massive tax increase."
"It is, it's huge," she replied. "I mean, in some cases it's meaning, you know, choosing between paying your taxes or paying for your car or food. I mean, it's that dire in many cases."
"We've already sacrificed enough. And this is just even more sacrifice," she concluded.
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