Several of Trump’s long time close friends and business associates called and met with him, urging and pleading with him to change course on this bill. An old Trump friend and owner of the NY Yankees, Randy Levine, wrote an open letter in November that was published in Newsmax titled: “Mr. President, the Tax Plan Needs A Big Fix.” Trump reportedly called Levine after the letter was published. Many NY businessmen also met with Trump.
At any time, Trump could have picked up the phone and told Mnuchin and Cohn to change course.