This Fortune reporter explains why Donald Trump probably isn't nearly as rich as he claims

Fortune business reporter Shawn Tully
(Image credit: YouTube)

Donald Trump says that he's worth more than $10 billion, and when reporters, debate moderators, and rival candidates ask him why he won't release his tax returns, Trump points to the Personal Financial Disclosure form he submitted to the Federal Election Commission, saying business reporters have looked it over and declared Trump's business to be beautiful and wildly successful. Fortune business reporter Shawn Tully isn't so sure. The most obvious red flag in Trump's filings, he says in the video below, is that Trump "has been reporting his revenues as income."

For most business owners, and most people, income is your revenues minus your expenses, Tully pointed out. "Well, he's saying he has $352 million in income, but when you look at it, those are all revenues." The disclosure forms don't hide that, Tully added, but Trump himself is either confused or being disingenuous. "Certainly, nothing that he disclosed in those statements would imply anything resembling a $10 billion net worth," Tully said.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.