[–] NoMoreScreenNames 1 point 31 points 32 points (+32|-1) ago (edited ago)
Back during the Great War, some wealthy men went to work in Wilson's administration to defeat "Prussianism", and the alleged desire of Germany and its allies to dominate Europe and possibly the world. They accepted a token salary of one dollar a year . When World War II broke out, their example was followed by the wealthy men and industrialists of that generation : They put the nation's and the world's good above their own enterprises, choosing the token payment while working with FDR to defeat the Nazi empire and the empire of the Rising Sun. "Dollar a Year" men, they were called.
Yes, Trump is very wealthy, so declining $400,000 a year probably feels like declining one dollar a year. But still...If he fulfills this vow, it is a fine gesture. It suggests that he, like the wealthy industrialists and business "magnates" of yesterdecade, is willing to put the good of the country above all else.
[–] NoMoreScreenNames 0 points 11 points 11 points (+11|-0) ago
Hasn't Congress been called "the millionaires' club" since the 1970s or 1980s now? Yes, they could.
[–] [deleted] 3 points -3 points 0 points (+0|-3) ago
[–] MoonMansWay 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
Even the Prussianism threat is far fetched. Its a fucking testament to how strong the propaganda was for it to last all the way into the 21st century. A sad testament but a testament nonetheless.
[–] [deleted] 1 point 12 points 13 points (+13|-1) ago
[–] lord_nougat 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago (edited ago)
This liberal won't. I see it as an unexpectedly gallant gesture from a man who shows all the signs of being an effective leader and a good president.
The liberally retarded might try to twist it into something inane, but they're idiots and should be ignored.
[–] Master_Foo 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
It is a tax avoidance scheme. The money he makes as president is nothing compared to the money he loses in taxes. His tax cuts will put far more money in his pocket compared to his salary.
Meanwhile, Trump is waving his hands and saying "Oh, look over here at this pittance I've sacrificed because I'm so virtuous!"
[–] PM_ME_UR_NOODZ 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
His tax returns would be subject to FOIA requests if he accepted a government salary!
[–] imnotabicycle 4 points 2 points 6 points (+6|-4) ago
I would LOVE to see him donate it to a lgbt cause or to some inner city youth programs. Not as much for the betterment of those things (although that would be a bonus) but mainly so the guy that posted on Facebook about needing LGBT safe houses would look slighty stupid.
[–] Lifelonghabit [S] 0 points 10 points 10 points (+10|-0) ago
Scott Adams suggested Trump should make an "un-Hitler" like gesture and your idea sounds like it would be just the thing. http://blog.dilbert.com/post/152998516891/the-de-hitlerization-of-your-brain
[–] toobaditworks 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
I'm sure he will do something like that, even on a bigger scale than this, but liberals will deny it, not report on it and when it is talked about they will say he only did it because ______ (fill in the blank).
[–] Tzitzimitl 2 points -1 points 1 point (+1|-2) ago (edited ago)
the problem with this retarded little PR stunt is that it both rewards bad behavior and emboldens them
[–] TAThatBoomerang 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago
I would LOVE to see him donate it to a lgbt cause or to some inner city youth programs.
This is the most virtue signaling thing I've read all day.
[–] immatureusername ago
Nah that sounds like a stupid waste of money IN MY OPINION!!!.... So... there are a slew of much better causes actually. Sure it would be a fine gesture afterall, but with current events around the world i feel it would be better spent into an are that would actually benefit all of mankind and not one small percentage of the population. Thats called "pandering".
[–] ialreadyhaveaccount 0 points 6 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago
He should take the money, even if it is pocket change to him. He's working for us now.
[–] Mediocrity 0 points 16 points 16 points (+16|-0) ago
Yeah, because that salary has done so much to enforce that fact in the past.
[–] TAThatBoomerang 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
It's probably more of a gesture thing than a well thought out marketing scheme.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago (edited ago)
[–] MedicalMountainGoat 0 points 5 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago
Wish people had realized that during Obama's run. He lied about everything and shit on the constitution yet people consider him a good president for whatever twisted reason.
[–] swfreak 0 points 38 points 38 points (+38|-0) ago
$400 000 is probably pocket change for him. Even Melanias wedding dress cost way more than that.
I think it's a nice gesture.
[–] Master_Foo 5 points 0 points 5 points (+5|-5) ago (edited ago)
$400,000 IS pocket change compared to the money he's going to put back in his pockets on his tax cuts.
Edit: Hey cowards, if you are going to downvote a comment which is factually true, at least have the balls to debate the facts.
[–] rwbj 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I'd hold out judgement there. I think for nobody knows really has any clue what Trump is going to do. In particular republicans claim to love his plan because it lowers taxes, democrats claim to hate it under the assumption it's a huge handout to the wealthy like most taxcuts. However, one thing has mentioned that both sides seem to be ignoring is that he wants to try to balance his tax cuts by removing tax loopholes that allows corporations and wealthy individuals to avoid paying much of any tax. For instance the nominal corporate tax rate in the US is about 40% yet major corporations such as Apple ultimately pay far less than even 1% tax on their total income. A corporate tax rate of 15% could potentially be hugely revenue positive if the loopholes enabling corporations to avoid paying taxes were closed.
I do think Trump's goal in office is likely legacy and to try to improve the position of America. You can't do that by deciding to further bankrupt the government with reckless tax cuts. However, you also can't get into office as a republican (or a democrat for that matter) without promising tax cuts.
[–] TheRealChairJew 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Sure. First, he does not need the money and was doing just fine. Second. Seeing him make money on some property or whatever seems like nothing compared to the volumes and volumes of crimes Hillary and her family have been engaging in for decades, with impunity, and that will be studied in law schools for decades to come once the special prosecutor is finished with the psychotic wench. How's that for a start?
[–] Womb_Raider 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I'd still rather take it and spend 100% on something of value for the country, rather than let it fall back into the inefficiency of government.
[–] 0fsgivin 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
Yah, I would pic a charity or organization and just give it to that. But however, that sends a bad message in someways when you are the CEO of said organization and your donating your salary recieved from it to another organization. Because you think YOUR organization is so damn wasteful.
Of things I might give trump shit for. This ain't one of em.
[–] meltingpotofhambone ago
Yeah at this point of our national debt, we need to invest in everything we got to clean the shit stain of our previous presidents.
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] CervicalStrike 2 points 1 point 3 points (+3|-2) ago
Trump is more narcissist than he is greedy. He wants statues to be built of him and the only way that is gonna happen is if he actually does a good job. People should remember that he is the oldest president to ever take office. He may well die in office if he goes 8 years. I don't think that will happen but yeah I genuinely think he will do his best.
[–] collegetoker ago
Trump is fairly wealthy independent of all this, I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it a point to minimize how much he takes from the system to maximize the impact of his actions. Is it altruist? Probably not, but it does show that he is trying to prove he's not in this to be another cog.