Professional athletes in the U.S. are renowned for their hefty federal income tax bills, largely due to their lucrative contracts that push them into higher tax brackets. This results in them paying a larger percentage of their earnings in taxes compared to the average American. However, a new tax plan introduced by recently elected President Donald Trump could greatly alleviate this financial burden on high-paid athletes. Speaking at a House Republican Members Conference on Monday, Trump outlined his proposal to eliminate income taxes nationwide, suggesting a shift to an import tariff system as the new means to fund the government. He referred to the tariff-based system as a “system that made us richer,” citing the period between 1870 and 1913 as the most prosperous in U.S. history under such a model.
“It’s time for the United States to return to the system that made us richer and more powerful than ever before… Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich foreign nations, we should be taxing foreign nations to enrich our citizens,” Trump stated in his speech, detailing his vision for tax reform. This proposal formally introduces the plan Trump first hinted at during his inauguration address, where he declared, “Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties, and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources.”
While it is still uncertain how Trump plans to implement such a sweeping overhaul—or whether it will receive approval from other branches of government—his determination to fulfill his campaign promise of eliminating income taxes is evident. Unsurprisingly, this significant policy shift prompted widespread reactions on social media, with many expressing outrage over the proposal. “The last time we decided that no income tax and tariffs were the way for the government to make money, you ask? At the beginning of the Great Depression (which was a major factor in making it worse). These aren’t new ideas; this is America not learning from its past mistakes,” one user commented on X.
Another user remarked, “History class is so important. I remember learning in school that this failed BIG TIME. It hurt the working class, made basic necessities unaffordable, caused retaliation tariffs from other countries… I mean, the list goes on. What happened shortly after? The Great Depression.” Additionally, some users questioned the logic of the plan; one simply stated, “That doesn’t make sense,” while another said, “He is trying to bankrupt our country.” Critiques also focused on the feasibility of the proposal: “The federal government spends ~$6 trillion annually right now. Total American imports last year were $3.8 trillion. Go ahead, find a tariff rate that works. Good luck,” pointed out one concerned user.
Further criticisms included claims that this plan seemed to primarily benefit billionaires, as one person noted, “So clearly helping the billionaires to not pay their fair share,” while another asked, “Seriously, who believes any of this nonsense?” Should this shift be implemented, it would signify a significant transformation, carrying substantial implications not just for high-earning professional athletes, but for all Americans.
