Top Senator: Tax Bill Fight Forced Him to Agree With Trump on the Media

Accusations against Sen. Bob Corker on his motivation for supporting the GOP-led tax bill have given the senator a “newfound empathy” for President Donald Trump’s constant battle with the media.

“I told him that I had a healthy respect for the media. I deal with them all the time and, you know, to attack the media has not been something I’ve done,” Corker told Fox News.

“But I had a newfound empathy for him in watching a totally debunked story, by everybody involved, Orrin Hatch, Kevin Brady, the guys that actually wrote this bill, knew I had nothing to do with it,” he added.

Allegations that Corker switched his vote because of a last minute provision people are calling the “Corker Kickback” are being circulated through the media.

Reportedly, the senator and real estate mogul could be personally enriched by the provision that was added, according to the International Business Times, and that Corker in particular had requested the addition.

“I had obviously nothing whatsoever to do with that and I think that’s part of the public record,” he told reporters early this week.

Corker defended his decision, and said that the final House-Senate tax compromise didn’t reduce the measure’s increase of the federal deficit which was his main reason for initially rejecting the bill.

“On one hand, you had the deficit issue. On the other hand, you had the economic growth issue,” he said, according to Politico. “I had a long walk on Friday morning and just decided that from the standpoint of, if I were the deciding vote on this … is our country better with this or not better with it? And I feel that we are.”

Despite his defense, the accusations that Corker had asked for the last minute provision before switching his vote were already circulating.

The senator took to Twitter to face the reports.

False reports about my decision on #TaxReform have been totally debunked. At the end of the day, I supported the bill because it will help our companies be competitive around the world, keep our companies from relocating, and build on the dynamism that we have here in our nation. pic.twitter.com/4qvceIyiic

— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) December 21, 2017

Twitter users did not seem to sympathize with Corker.

You keep telling yourself that Bob. One day you might even be able to convince yourself is true.

We all watched what you did. We watched you yesterday. As disappointing and tragic it might be for some, we now have clarity. We know who you are. #CorkerKickback

— molly secours (@mollmaud) December 21, 2017

You sold out. Pure and simple and your protests are falling on deaf ears. You didn't listen to the people and we aren't going to listen to your excuses. You personally benefit from this bill that will throw 13 million off of their health insurance. That's not acceptable.

— Linda Bernfeld (@LindaBernfeld) December 21, 2017

On “Fox & Friends” Corker said his experience has given him a new understanding of Trump’s daily struggle with the media.

“I’ve never used in my life the words fake news, until today,” he said. “I actually understand what it is the president has been dealing with.”

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