Trump: tax cuts will be “biggest ever.” Top Republican senator: nope, Bush’s were bigger.

A top Republican senator is fact-checking President Donald Trump on the scope of the GOP’s forthcoming tax reform package.

Trump won’t be putting his name to the “largest” tax cut in United States history, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) tweeted Thursday, correcting the president’s now well-established political tag line on tax reform.

Trump has repeatedly promised the “biggest tax cut ever” at rallies and on Twitter, without going into much detail on what that would entail. Most recently the president tweeted, “Republicans want the biggest tax cut in history.”

But Grassley had a reality check for the president:

In other words, Grassley is pointing out that the tax cuts under former President George W. Bush, when adjusted for inflation, were much larger than anything Congress is currently debating.

In 2001, when Grassley chaired the Senate’s Finance Committee — which oversees tax reform legislation — Bush signed into law a $1.35 trillion tax cut. In 2016, that would be approximately a $1.85 trillion tax cut, Grassley noted.

Currently, Senate Republicans are suggesting massive tax cuts, but smaller than those passed under the Bush administration. The Senate’s budget proposal — which has yet to be voted on — allows for $1.5 trillion in tax cuts, a number that could shrink in the weeks ahead as Republicans try to reconcile what is looking like a major blow to the deficit.

Regardless, Grassley is still on board with tax reform. If Republicans manage to pass something resembling their tax reform framework, it would enact undoubtedly sweeping changes to the current tax code.

He just wanted to point out that they would not, however, be the “largest in history” — one of Trump’s favorite talking points.

Contributions are a key part of the future of Vox

Readers rely on Vox for clear, nuanced coverage that not only illuminates the issues, but poses solutions, too. And we rely on help from our readers: Advertising and grants cover the majority of our costs, but we count on contributions to help us close the gaps in our budget. In fact, we’re looking to reach 95,000 individual contributions before the end of the year. Will you make the next contribution right now? Our average gift is just $20 — and it goes a long way in helping us keep our work free. Vox is here to help everyone understand what’s shaping the world — not just the people who can afford to pay for a subscription. We believe that’s an important part of building a more equal society. Join that mission by making a contribution today.

One-Time Monthly Annual

$5/month

$10/month

$25/month

$50/month

Other

$

Yes, I'll give $5/month

Yes, I'll give $5/month

We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also contribute via