Trump denies saying not paying taxes 'makes me smart' an hour after he said it

by Joan McCarter

Daily Kos Staff

Monday, Sep. 26, 2016 Monday, Sep. 26, 2016 at 8:18:08pm PDT

HEMPSTEAD, NY - SEPTEMBER 26: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump gestures during the Presidential Debate at Hofstra University on September 26, 2016 in Hempstead, New York. The first of four debates for the 2016 Election, three Presidential and one Vice Presidential, is moderated by NBC's Lester Holt. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

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Donald Trump on the debate stage:

During the first presidential debate, during a discussion about Donald Trump's refusal to release his tax returns, Hillary Clinton noted that he's "paid nothing in federal taxes" in recent years. "That makes me smart," Trump bragged.

Donald Trump an hour afterward:

Dana Bash (CNN): “My question for you is, first of all, it sounds like you admitted that you hadn't paid federal taxes and that that was smart. Is that what you meant to say?

Trump: “No, I didn't say that at all.”

Seriously. Watch it below.

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