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


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.
So how much is Trump worth? Well, in Fortune, Tully estimated Trump's actual annual income at $123 million, which he calls "pretty modest for someone claiming to boast a net worth exceeding $10 billion." When you look at his actual income, Trump's "enterprise looks a heck of a lot smaller than the real estate colossus the candidate claims — and that most of his supporters believe — he presides over," he said, adding: "By the way, it's still impressive." You can check Tully's math at Fortune.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
EPA is reportedly killing Energy Star program
speed read The program for energy-efficient home appliances has saved consumers billions in energy costs since its 1992 launch
-
Supreme Court allows transgender troop ban
speed read The US Supreme Court will let the Trump administration begin executing its ban on transgender military service members
-
'You might be surprised by how much you find yourself cheering for them'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Warren Buffet announces surprise retirement
speed read At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the billionaire investor named Vice Chairman Greg Abel his replacement
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
-
US port strike averted with tentative labor deal
Speed Read The strike could have shut down major ports from Texas to Maine