Seth Meyers took a short break from the swirling horrors of the 2020 election and coronavirus epidemic this Tuesday, focusing instead on other terrible things slinking beneath the radar. Specifically, how Donald Trump's family is benefiting from the "opportunity zone" policy intended to help low-income communities.
"The whole concept of 'opportunity zones' sounds great, but it is actually terrible," said Meyers on Late Night. "It's basically R. Kelly. Sounds great, is actually terrible."
Under the policy, investors can delay paying taxes if they invest in areas that need it, with such areas being labelled "opportunity zones." However, the definition of said zones is so broad that investors such as Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner have used the policy to build in already affluent neighbourhoods.
There isn't any requirement that they build developments the community needs, either. This has led at least one investor to construct an upscale New York apartment building with a pet spa.
"A spa for pets is not the kind of thing that helps America's inner cities. That is not what they were crying out for," said Meyers. "'I'm having trouble finding work and paying rent, but the real issue is my cat desperately needs a salt scrub.'"
The program is currently under investigation, though Meyers noted he has "a feeling that Trump is gonna try and squash that."
