Donald Trump says he isn't releasing his tax returns because of repeated audits

Donald Trump says he&#039;s been audited for 12 years

(Image credit: Michael Ciaglo-Pool/Getty Images)

published 26 February 2016

At CNN's Republican debate on Thursday night, conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt asked all the candidates about releasing their tax returns. He started with Donald Trump, noting Mitt Romney's suggestion on Wednesday that the returns likely contain a "bombshell." Trump criticized Romney, saying you don't learn anything about a person's wealth from his tax returns, and adding that he hasn't released his returns because he is being audited, and in fact has been audited for something like 12 straight years. "Audit. Audit. Audit."

Ted Cruz said that Trump's repeated audits aren't something Trump should brag about. "Well, I think that would underscore the need to release his returns," Cruz said, later reiterating Romney's charge that there's something fishy about Trump's finances.

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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.