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1/x The @nytimes& #39; Trump tax-returns coverage is magnificent.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/27/us/trump-taxes-takeaways.html?referringSource=articleShare
Now">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/2... the Times needs help from the rest of us, and can get it only by making the full returns public.
The Times says it& #39;s protecting its sources by not publishing the originals. Fair enough.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/27/us/trump-taxes-takeaways.html?referringSource=articleShare
Now">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/2... the Times needs help from the rest of us, and can get it only by making the full returns public.
The Times says it& #39;s protecting its sources by not publishing the originals. Fair enough.
2/x There& #39;s a way to not publish the originals -- but still get the information out in full so other eyes/brains can examine.
1. Get a fresh set of blank tax forms.
2. Copy, by hand, all of the numbers from the originals into the new forms.
3. Proofread very very carefully.
1. Get a fresh set of blank tax forms.
2. Copy, by hand, all of the numbers from the originals into the new forms.
3. Proofread very very carefully.
3/x
4. Create a summary document, written by the forensic accountant(s) the Times surely retained to help on this project.
5. The document should be a tip sheet for others to follow threads the Times didn& #39;t have time/personnel to fully chase.
6. Release that document, too.
4. Create a summary document, written by the forensic accountant(s) the Times surely retained to help on this project.
5. The document should be a tip sheet for others to follow threads the Times didn& #39;t have time/personnel to fully chase.
6. Release that document, too.
4/x
7. Use, with other news organizations, a collaborative site where people can work together on the analysis and further digging.
8. Encourage tips from the public, especially people who have done business with Trump and (as so many will have) been burned.
7. Use, with other news organizations, a collaborative site where people can work together on the analysis and further digging.
8. Encourage tips from the public, especially people who have done business with Trump and (as so many will have) been burned.
5/x
The point of this exercise would be to find everything that can be found, and follow every lead that can be followed, in what is surely a mountain of documents.
The Times beat everyone on this story.
Now the paper of record can lead, via collaboration, a vital follow up.
The point of this exercise would be to find everything that can be found, and follow every lead that can be followed, in what is surely a mountain of documents.
The Times beat everyone on this story.
Now the paper of record can lead, via collaboration, a vital follow up.
6/x
It& #39;s been pointed out that the Times may not be working from the actual tax returns, but from other kinds of working documents.
If so, there are surely ways to obfuscate anything that might be a clue to unveil the whistleblower, yet still release most or all of the data.
It& #39;s been pointed out that the Times may not be working from the actual tax returns, but from other kinds of working documents.
If so, there are surely ways to obfuscate anything that might be a clue to unveil the whistleblower, yet still release most or all of the data.
7/x Again, I& #39;m in awe of what the Times has achieved here.
But it& #39;s clear that even 100 reporters devoted full-time to the story wouldn& #39;t be able to figure out everything that& #39;s in these numbers.
It& #39;s also the best way for the Times to ensure ongoing attention to this.
But it& #39;s clear that even 100 reporters devoted full-time to the story wouldn& #39;t be able to figure out everything that& #39;s in these numbers.
It& #39;s also the best way for the Times to ensure ongoing attention to this.
8/x Remember the last time the @nytimes did a huge story on Trump& #39;s financial corruption? That was almost exactly 2 years ago, when the news org revealed a pattern of sleaze going back to Fred Trump& #39;s gifts to his son. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-schemes-fred-trump.html
It">https://www.nytimes.com/interacti... was a huge and important story.
It">https://www.nytimes.com/interacti... was a huge and important story.
8/x Yet it got very little attention from the rest of Big Journalism -- a couple of days of coverage.
Then it sank without a trace.
Get it all out. There& #39;s room for everyone on this story.
Then it sank without a trace.
Get it all out. There& #39;s room for everyone on this story.
