"I am obligated and I will pay hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes to the American government. I already paid and I will keep paying whatever taxes I owe based on my time as a U.S. citizen"

The statement frames tax payment as a legal and moral duty, not a favor, by foregrounding the word “obligated.” That choice of language signals deference to the rule of law and presents compliance as a principled stance rather than a reluctant concession. The mention of “hundreds of millions of dollars” serves a dual purpose: it quantifies the magnitude of contribution to the public coffers and appeals to public sentiment by emphasizing that the burden is substantial, not token. By asserting “I already paid and I will keep paying,” the speaker stresses continuity and reliability, attempting to neutralize suspicion that he is dodging obligations.

Yet the critical qualifier arrives at the end: “based on my time as a U.S. citizen.” This clause carefully delineates the scope of responsibility. It commits him to settle all liabilities accrued under U.S. jurisdiction while implicitly signaling that obligations cease once that jurisdictional tie is severed. The phrasing thus reconciles two aims: affirming full compliance with existing law and drawing a boundary around future taxation. It functions as both a defense and a clarification, positioning the speaker as a responsible actor who respects rules but will not accept obligations beyond what the law requires.

The overall tone is measured and legalistic, designed to address policymakers, critics, and the public simultaneously. It leans on ethos, credibility through evident willingness to pay large sums, and on logos, logical consistency with jurisdiction-based tax rules. It also indirectly rebuts moral accusations by redefining the debate: the relevant standard is what is owed, not what might be morally expected. By emphasizing obligation rather than generosity, past payments rather than future speculation, and jurisdiction rather than sentiment, the statement crafts a narrative of lawful compliance and bounded responsibility, aiming to protect reputation while asserting the right to arrange one’s affairs within the limits of the law.