Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren slammed President Donald Trump for refusing to release his tax returns Tuesday, but she refused to say whether she was considering running against him in 2020.
In an appearance on NBC’s “Today” Tuesday to promote her book, “This Fight is Our Fight,” Warren dodged questions from NBC’s Savannah Guthrie and Matt Lauer about whether she was weighing a presidential run as pockets of support around the country for her possible candidacy continue to emerge.
“Senator, a lot of people are saying what this book is about is launching the presidential campaign of Elizabeth Warren,” Guthrie asked. “Now, it’s tradition to be coy about that in Washington. But where is your mind about that? Are you 50/50? 80/20? Where do you stand? Are you likely to run?"
“No. This is not what I’m doing,” Warren said. “This is my eleventh book. My life’s work is about what’s happening to working families across this country."
When pushed whether Warren meant she was not likely to run for president, the senator answered, “I am running — in 2018, for senator from Massachusetts.”
“I am deeply blessed that the people of the commonwealth of Massachusetts sent me to Washington to fight for them, and that’s what I’ll keep on doing,” Warren added, smiling but silent as Lauer and Guthrie pushed a little more.
Anticipation of Warren’s possible 2020 presidential bid has again swirled after Senate Republicans invoked an obscure rule to silence the Massachusetts senator while she opposed the confirmation of now-attorney general Jeff Sessions on the senate floor. Warren supporters have repurposed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s explanation for invoking the rule — “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted” — as a slogan.
Warren on Tuesday said Trump had tapped into the anger and frustration that people feel in the country, but she said he would only make life worse for most Americans by putting “a bunch of billionaires and bankers in charge.” She slammed him for not releasing his tax returns, but said she did not know whether he would release them.
“The issue is not over. He promised during the campaign that he would release his taxes,” Warren said. “…People are going to keep demanding [the returns], and they’re going to keep demanding it and making their voices heard on this,” Warren said.
But she said she would consider working with Trump on issues like breaking up big banks and protecting consumers.
“This isn’t about Donald Trump,” Warren said. “This is about the people of America. I’m ready to fight for them.”
Beatriz Simpkins 