Some felt Maddow's show dragged on and took a while to get to the point.
Following Rachel Maddow's release of President Trump's tax returns, the president took to Twitter to slam the MSNBC anchor.
The White House denounced the publication of the president’s 2005 tax returns by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow calling it "illegal,” after she showed them on the air Tuesday night.
In addition, Trump tweeted early Wednesday morning: "Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, ‘went to his mailbox’ and found my tax returns? @nbcnews fake news!”
Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, "went to his mailbox" and found my tax returns? @NBCNews FAKE NEWS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017
The White House confirmed Tuesday night that the commander in chief made more than $150 million in income in 2005 and paid $38 million in income taxes that year at a tax rate of 25 percent.
Maddow set the nation on fire with a single tweet at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday night stating that on her show she would release Trump’s tax returns.
BREAKING: We've got Trump tax returns. Tonight, 9pm ET. MSNBC.
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) March 14, 2017
(Seriously).
As many tuned in, many were left underwhelmed at her scoop and vented their frustration on Twitter.
.@maddow's Champagne Dreams of #TrumpTaxReturns pic.twitter.com/GJeL2VBdQm
— FluffyDogAttack ?? (@FluffyDogAttack) March 15, 2017
Starting to get that Geraldo feeling...
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) March 15, 2017
Rachel Maddow & Chris Hayes must b auditioning for new roles as weatherpeople predicting D.C. Snow with this nothing Trump Taxes report?
— Jonathan Franks (@jonfranks) March 15, 2017
Rachel Maddow has nothing. This build up was a strategic mistake that damages crediblity... #MSNBC
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) March 15, 2017
Even Donald Trump Jr. tweeted: “Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realdonaldtrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes!”
Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes! #Taxes
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 15, 2017
The tax returns were mailed to the home of David Cay Johnston, a former tax reporter for The New York Times, who has written a book about the real estate tycoon called The Making of Donald Trump.
Johnston believes the president himself sent him the documents as a diversion. He did not specify when he received the documents and claimed to Maddow that he did not obtain them illegally.
Read: FBI Director Asks Justice Department to Refute Trump's Claims of Wiretapping: Reports
“Donald has a long history of leaking material about himself when he thinks it’s in his best interest,” Johnston told Maddow.
After his appearance, he began getting backlash on Twitter, and called for debate rather than threats.
Trump fans call & harass my wife & 1 of my children after I break story White House confirmed. Sad! Let's have open debate, not threats.
— David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ) March 15, 2017
To be clear, folks, I don't intimidate. But calls to family are out of bounds, a disturbing sign of how Trump damages civil debate.
— David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ) March 15, 2017
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