Trump says he can't release his tax returns because you couldn't possibly understand them

President Trump.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

President Trump's long-concealed tax returns are in jeopardy of being exposed after Democrats took back the House on Tuesday night. But the commander in chief warned the press on Wednesday that the documents are so "extremely complex" that "people wouldn't understand them" if they saw the light of day.

Speaking at a news conference, Trump reiterated that his tax returns are under audit — a nonissue when it comes to releasing them — and added for good measure, "people do not understand tax returns."

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.