#1. A single tax return that puts Trump in a fairly positive light gets released. The return is stamped with client copy. The release consists with just the first two pages, not the backing documentation.
#2. Even before it is released, the White House responds with a statement that says that points out what Trump paid, and concludes with a shot at the “dishonest media”.
Clearly the “good” return has been in Steve Bannon’s chamber for a while. While it is a positive for Trump, it raises more questions since there is no backing documentation and it is a return from 12 years ago. Further, one partial return does not put Trump in the clear with regards to his potential conflict of interests. It probably wasn’t “leaked” during the campaign or sooner because it does raise more questions. Why risk raising more questions about Trump’s lack of disclosure at this time? Bannon had to think that the potential benefit outweighs the risk.
I don’t think that this is about saving the immoral TrumpCare fiasco. I think this is about trying to discredit the media further and most importantly it is about this:
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said Tuesday that FBI Director James Comey promised to tell him Wednesday whether the FBI is investigating ties between Russia and the campaign of President Donald Trump.
The Rhode Island Democrat said that Comey made the promise in a March 2 meeting with him and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina.
According to Whitehouse, Comey assured them he would confirm if an investigation exists "and the scope of their Russia/Trump investigation because he had not been able to at that point say that there was one."
If Comey indicates that there is an investigation, well then the proverbial shit is going to hit the fan. Graham has already been on record saying that an independent special counsel would be warranted under such circumstances. I would guess that either A) Comey told Trump Tuesday that he would be reporting to Sheldon Whitehouse and Lindsey Graham that there is an ongoing investigation, or B) Comey hasn’t said anything to Trump about an investigation but they know that there is a good chance that he will tell the Senators that there is an investigation.
Trump’s response to the “leaked” return is too well crafted and too well timed to be anything but a long planned hit on the media. I would ask you consider the pre-State of the Union disinformation campaign about immigration. These guys are always going to try and play games trying to control the narrative.
I could be wrong. I guess we will find out when Comey talks to Graham and Whitehouse today.