Image by Planet Volumes.

Die-hard supporters like to claim that Trump is no different than any other politician; they are all corrupt. A good friend of mine took that position recently when I commented about the money Trump has accumulated since the November election. He defended Trump saying that Biden did the same thing. False equivalents like this and strawman arguments are the Republican go-to strategies.

According to Forbes, Biden’s estimated net worth is $10 million. His assets include a primary residence in Wilmingtonand a vacation home in Rehoboth Beach. Both have substantially appreciated value. Moreover, he has generated significant income from book royalties and speaking engagements and investments and has pension income from his decades of service in congress. He is a classic American success story; he came from a middle-class family and accumulated his wealth honestly by hard work.

By comparison Trump was born to wealth. The patriarch of his family, German born Frederick Trump ran a restaurant and brothel during the Goldrush. And Trump’s father, Fred, made millions in New York real estate. In 1954 Fred Trump was investigated by the US Senate for profiteering, and again in 1966 by State of New York. And in 1973 both he and his son Donald were sued by the Justice Department for racial discrimination.

According to The New York Times, Fred and his wife provided over $1 billion (in 2018 currency) to their children. Donald, who fancies himself a self-made man, received $413 million from his father, ”much of that through dubious tax dodges.” To start his business career, Trump was handed more than 40 times the amount of money Biden was able to accumulate after 50 years of government service, including military.

Trump avoided military service and went on to become the Goldfinger of American politics. Accumulating wealth, and........

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