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Students Love Trump's Tax Plan—When They're Told It's Sanders' Plan

October 20, 2017

Students at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. expressed support for President Donald Trump's tax reform plan—but only when they were told it was Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I., Vt.) tax plan instead.

Campus Reform, a conservative news site that focuses on higher education, interviewed multiple students who initially said they disagreed with Trump's tax plan. The same students, however, proceeded to agree with details of the president's proposal when they were masked as bullet points from Sanders' plan.

Campus Reform media director Cabot Phillips interviewed students on camera, asking for their initial thoughts on Trump's comprehensive tax reform plan.

"It's better for the upper class than anyone else," one student said.

"It's probably not the most efficient nor beneficial to the general populace," another student added.

Phillips then asked those same students about three separate parts of Trump's tax reform plan, portraying them as pieces of Sanders' "more compassionate alternative."

Phillips first asked about Trump's proposal to increase the child tax credit, which would give tax money back to families when they have children.

"I was a social worker, so I understand how important tax credits like that are," one student said, while a slew of others described the idea as "positive."

Phillips then mentioned Trump's proposal to eliminate the death tax, which would get rid of the estate tax.

"I do think that's a good idea because I'm from New Jersey and we used to have a really heavy inheritance tax," one girl said.

Phillips then discussed a third part of Trump's tax plan that would lower small business tax rates to a maximum of 25 percent.

"My family has a small business, so I would definitely think that's a positive thing," the student from New Jersey said.

"Any way we can help small businesses work and thrive is definitely something that is beneficial for the country," another student added.

Phillips then asked the students he was questioning what their overall thoughts were on the "Bernie Sanders" alternative to Trump's tax reform plan. All of the students in the video said they agree with Sanders' plan and believe it is better than what Trump is proposing.

"I think it was pretty good," a student said. "Definitely better than whatever Trump is proposing, I would make that leap right there."

"What if I told you that this actually is Donald Trump's tax plan, not Bernie's?" Phillips asked.

"You got me," she responded.

"It is, it's Trump’s plan," Phillips said.

"I'm definitely happily surprised that it sounds a lot better than I would have expected it to," she said.

"I am shocked that I do agree with Trump on certain things," another student said.

"I would have imagined that he would be a little more stupid than that," one student added.

"I think if you said it was Trump, at least for many people, there would be more opposition to it, just because it was Trump," another said.

"I definitely think there is an initial bias, I've done it myself," a student said. "I'll just hear the word Trump and be like 'ugh.' I definitely think that's something that needs to be like looked over."

"It could be a policy of giving me ice cream, but if it's Trump I'm going to be like, 'what's in that ice cream?'" one student said.