Former President Trump has ramped up his anti-tax vision in a series of statements that might surprise even his strongest critics.

First, he proposed no tax on tips, followed by a tax exemption on overtime pay for hourly workers. Now, he’s hinting at something bolder: no federal income tax, at least not in the traditional sense.

As reported by The Gateway Pundit, Trump recently made his case during an impromptu visit to a Bronx barbershop, where he discussed inflation, taxes, and the American economy with patrons and barbers alike.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

A local barber raised a pressing question: could federal income taxes one day be eliminated if the nation’s finances improve?

Trump didn’t hesitate, affirming, “There is a way!”

He took his audience back to a time before income taxes, when the U.S. economy relied primarily on tariffs for federal revenue.

🚨Trump reportedly considering tax plan to abolish income tax entirely, fund government through tariffs pic.twitter.com/2FZKeerV8r

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 24, 2024

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

“You know, in the old days, when we were smart, a smart country—in the 1890s, our country was relatively the richest it ever was.” Trump stated, emphasizing the absence of an income tax and the benefits of a tariff-based system.

Everyone NEEDS to watch this clip of Trump talking about eliminating the federal income tax to some guys in a Bronx, NY barbershop!

Look how captivated they are🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/MldDve3W15

— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) October 22, 2024

According to Trump, taxes have grown burdensome for Americans, robbing them of a chance to achieve the American dream.

The barbershop visitor added that federal taxes hinder the public from fully benefiting from their earnings, taxed at every point of their hard-earned journey.

Trump quickly noted the detrimental impact of regulations, proudly asserting that he slashed more regulations than any other president during his tenure.

Trump’s focus on tariffs harks back to an era long before the current income tax system was cemented. However, experts have mixed views on the viability of such a strategy.

Analysts Robert Goulder and Joseph J. Thorndike, writing for Forbes, explored the feasibility of replacing federal income tax revenue with tariffs.

They acknowledged that while Trump’s ideas evoke nostalgia for the tariff-based finance system of the 19th century, today’s economic landscape is far more complex.

Thorndike pointed out that tariffs now cover only a small fraction of federal revenue compared to pre-Civil War days. He argued that tariffs often function as a regressive tax, placing the burden on consumers through higher prices.

This has been the case in recent years, as consumers absorbed most of the cost from Trump’s prior tariffs, totaling approximately $80 billion.

Goulder took it further, suggesting that Trump’s proposal to replace progressive income taxes with tariffs could mean a tax shift that disproportionately impacts everyday Americans while offering tax cuts to the wealthiest.

As a result, the question remains: can tariffs realistically replace the federal income tax system?

Whether Trump’s proposal gains traction or is viewed as another grand gesture, it’s clear his commitment to slashing taxes remains a defining feature of his platform.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of RVM News. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.