Expect to Hear One Theme as Trump Begins Tax Reform Push

President Trump begins his push for another major goal of his White House in a speech Wednesday afternoon in Missouri: the need for tax reform. But White House officials previewing the speech on Tuesday made one thing clear: Don't expect policy details, reports the Kansas City Star. Instead, expect the president to focus on why tax reform is needed, and he'll be selling it in populist fashion a la Huey Long, reports Axios. The speech is being drafted by Stephen Miller, notes Politico, which expects to hear phrases such as "Jump-start America" and "Win again." Trump also is expected to hit on the theme of "unrigging the economy," a phrase the GOP has been testing with swing voters. The broad strokes include lowering business taxes to help US corporations compete, plus cuts for middle-income taxpayers and a simplified filing system.

“We’re going to end the rigged system,” said one White House official. “We’re going to build a tax code that really allows all Americans to have access to the American dream.” Trump and the GOP aim to have legislation signed by the end of the year, but as Bloomberg notes, fundamental questions remain unanswered, such as "Will the changes be permanent or temporary? How will individual tax brackets be set? What rate will corporations and small businesses pay?" The Wall Street Journal notes that Trump has a further challenge in selling reform as a benefit for the masses when previous proposals from the White House and Republicans have largely benefited wealthier Americans. Trump speaks in Springfield at 3:30pm Eastern. (More President Trump stories.)