Advertisement
donald trump nfl football patriots

Donald Trump calls for change in law to strip NFL of 'massive tax breaks'

The US President made the suggestion on Twitter.

US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has suggested stripping the NFL of โ€œmassiveโ€ tax advantages, to punish the players who participate in the anthem protest.

Players across the country are continuing to take a knee prior to games, despite Trumpโ€™s controversial comments that any players who refuse to observe the anthem should be fired.

He also advised the public to leave the stadium if they see players kneeling during the Star Spangled Banner.

In an effort to further curtail the protest, Trump has now proposed taking away the NFLโ€™s tax advantages.

โ€œWhy is the NFL getting massive tax breaks while at the same time disrespecting our Anthem, Flag and Country? Change tax law!โ€ Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

Tweet by @Donald J. Trump Donald J. Trump / Twitter Donald J. Trump / Twitter / Twitter

The NFL gave up its tax-exempt status in 2015, but individual teams and the league itself often extract hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to help build new stadiums.

Additionally, when the National Football League and the American Football League merged, Congress waived usual antitrust legislation, allowing them to essentially create a monopoly on professional football.

Trump, however, stands accused of political grandstanding and wasteful spending of his own after Vice President Mike Pence seemingly flew from Las Vegas to Indianapolis over the weekend just so he could leave a Colts game early after a few dozen players knelt during the playing of the national anthem.

โ€œI asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country,โ€ Trump tweeted after the incident. โ€œI am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.โ€

The trip most likely cost taxpayers up to $250,000.

Trump is trying to push a tax plan through Congress, but his agenda has stalled amid infighting within the GOP.

NOW WATCH: Trump once won a lawsuit against the NFL รข€” but the result was an embarrassment

See Also:

SEE ALSO:ร‚ Mike Penceโ€™s trip to protest an NFL game likely cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars

Alex Lockie, Business Insider

Additional reporting by Sinรฉad Farrell

Controversial tennis player Nick Kyrgios storms off court midway through match

Irelandโ€™s first female Olympic gymnast announces her retirement at 19

Published with permission from
View 8 comments
Close
8 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Deane
    Favourite John Deane
    Report
    May 7th 2013, 6:42 PM

    Iโ€™ll be there :)

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SlyLad
    Favourite SlyLad
    Report
    May 7th 2013, 7:01 PM

    Steve more pics would be greatly appreciated.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael cunnane
    Favourite Michael cunnane
    Report
    May 7th 2013, 8:31 PM

    Wonโ€™t someone please think of the children :-)

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken Corcoran
    Favourite Ken Corcoran
    Report
    May 8th 2013, 11:18 PM

    All ya need are some hot American girls and youโ€™re set!!

    3
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel