In a private meeting with GOP lawmakers, Donald Trump allegedly proposed an idea to eliminate the income tax and replace it with an ‘all tariff policy.'

The alleged plan caught the attention of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).

“Most intriguing policy idea from the GOP meeting at the Capitol Hill Club this morning: Trump briefly floated the concept of eliminating the income tax and replacing it with tariffs,” Massie said.

Most intriguing policy idea from the GOP meeting at the Capitol Hill Club this morning:

Trump briefly floated the concept of eliminating the income tax and replacing it with tariffs. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/hw0k8gwlGa

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 13, 2024

* Image from Rep. Thomas Massie X Post *

WATCH:

Donald Trump made a rare appearance in Washington, the first time since before the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

He floated the idea of using tariff hikes as a way to pay for some income tax cuts. @christianjhall has more on the story https://t.co/AXBYH4WzvK pic.twitter.com/qY9JUycWHu

— Bloomberg (@business) June 13, 2024

CNBC reports:

Donald Trump on Thursday brought up the idea of imposing an “all tariff policy” that would ultimately enable the U.S. to get rid of the income tax, sources in a private meeting with the Republican presidential candidate told CNBC.

Trump, in the meeting with GOP lawmakers at the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, D.C., also talked about using tariffs to leverage negotiating power over bad actors, according to another source in the room.

The remarks show Trump, who championed tariffs as a foreign policy multi-tool during his first term in office, is considering a drastically more protectionist trade agenda if he defeats President Joe Biden in November.

“Great meeting with Republican Representatives. Lots discussed, all positive, great poll numbers!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump brought up the idea of an “all tariff policy” that would lead to getting rid of the income tax, per sources in the room.

— Emily Wilkins (@emrwilkins) June 13, 2024

“I was thrilled to hear President Trump suggest we raise tariffs and reduce the income tax for Americans to zero as a new tax policy after the tax plan expires this year. This will really help struggling Americans get back on their feet after 4 bad years of Bidenomics,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said.

I was thrilled to hear President Trump suggest we raise tariffs and reduce the income tax for Americans to zero as a new tax policy after the tax plan expires this year.

This will really help struggling Americans get back on their feet after 4 bad years of Bidenomics.

— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) June 13, 2024

Per Reuters:

Trump also urged lawmakers to cut taxes on income from tips, an idea he first floated on Sunday to appeal to service workers, multiple lawmakers said.

Trump used tariffs aggressively during his 2017-2021 term in office, placing levies of up to 25% on a wide range of Chinese products as one of many efforts to thwart competition.

Senator Mike Rounds said that cutting taxes on tips could help Republicans win over working-class voters.

“If there was something we could do to really energize that particular segment of the population, that might be a real popular thing to do,” Rounds told reporters.

Biden's support among voters without college degrees or living in households earning $50,000 a year or less has fallen sharply, Reuters/Ipsos polling shows, though large numbers of those voters have not shifted their support to Trump.

Trump also criticized a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine that recently passed with Republican support, lawmakers said.