Giuliani: A man with 'this kind of economic genius' better for U.S. than a woman

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Sunday praised Donald TrumpDonald TrumpTrump calls for reform of Justice Department Clinton ad uses Trump hotel worker against him Workplace discrimination against pregnant women continues MORE after a report surfaced that said the GOP nominee could have legally avoided paying federal income taxes for up to 18 years.

“He’s a genius at how to take advantage of legal remedies that can help your company survive and grow,” Giuliani said on ABC’s “Meet The Press.”

“I want a man who’s a genius at figuring out how to take this country, that’s — moving in the wrong direction, where we’ve had a basically jobless recovery, where we’ve had growth of less than 2 percent for two years.”

Giuliani called the country’s growth in the recent years “pathetic.”

“Don’t you think a man who has this kind of economic genius is a lot better for the United States than a woman?” Giuliani then asked. The phrasing raised eyebrows, especially given the timing.

Before The New York Times report surfaced, the real estate magnate had been embroiled in criticism surrounding comments he made about the former Miss Universe’s weight and her past — a topic Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonTrump calls for reform of Justice Department Clinton ad uses Trump hotel worker against him Workplace discrimination against pregnant women continues MORE‘s campaign has seized on in an attempt to reflect Trump’s treatment of women. 

But after the tax report was  published Saturday night, the headlines quickly shifted.

The New York Times reported late Saturday that a $916 million loss on Trump’s 1995 income tax returns could have allowed him to legally avoid paying any federal income tax for up to 18 years.