7 Things We Learned From Donald Trump’s Personal Financial Disclosure Form
Donald Trump filed a 104-page personal finance disclosure report today.
— -- Donald Trump has filed a new personal financial disclosure form with the Federal Election Commission, a federally mandated document that shows a candidate’s personal assets, business positions and annual income.
The 104-page document lists a whopping 527 current job titles for the real estate mogul -- mostly leadership roles in his spread of companies -- as well as millions of dollars in investments and assets.
This annual report is required of all candidates running for president. Trump has declined to release his tax returns despite pressure from both sides of the aisle to do so, citing an ongoing audit. Trump has said he will release his returns once the audit is complete.
Here’s what we learned from Trump's personal financial disclosure form:
1. Donald Trump Has at Least $1.47 Billion in Assets: The records show that Trump has at least $1.47 billion in assets and at least $315 million in liabilities. Trump claims he is worth more than $10 billion -- these records neither confirm or deny that claim, because asset values are reported in large ranges.
2. Trump Still Says His Golf Course Is Worth More Than $50 Million: The document released today repeats Trump’s claim that a golf course he owns in a small town in New York is worth more than $50 million, even as his attorneys argue the property is worth just $9 million -- an evaluation that local officials claim is meant to allow the presidential candidate to unfairly skimp on taxes. As shown in an ABC News investigation earlier this week, Trump’s attorneys originally claimed that the sprawling 18-hole, carefully manicured Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County was worth $1.35 million. Dana Levenberg, the supervisor for Ossining, New York, which has jurisdiction over the property, called the figure “ridiculous.”
3. Trump Took In More Than $600 Million Last Year: An ABC News analysis of the new public document shows that Trump took in at least $619 million last year. The real estate mogul said his income was at least $557 million earlier this week in a count that excluded dividends, interest, capital gains, rent and royalties.
4. Trump Has Invested in Several Companies He Says He Doesn’t Like: The report also shows investments by Trump in companies like Apple and Amazon, as well as the parent company of Oreo -- all of which he has attacked on the campaign trail.
Like any wealthy investor, Trump holds large stakes in sectors that are often the topic of big political disputes, like energy and health care. He has hundreds of thousands of dollars tied up in energy companies like Exxon, Phillips 66 and NextEra Energy. He’s also invested in biopharmaceutical companies like Celgene and technology companies like Gilead Sciences, Microsoft and Google.
None of these investments are uncommon, but they highlight why some candidates turn their financial interests over to blind trusts once in office. Energy and healthcare are two industries particularly dependent on government contracts and grants, and they’re perennial campaign issues. Trump also reported at least $15,000 of income off an asset with the province of Quebec. He also reports having more than $100,000 invested in gold.
5. Trump Made More Than $1 Million off His Latest Book: The report shows that Trump raked in between $1 million and $5 million last year off his latest book, “Crippled America.” He also made more than $100,000 off “Time to Get Tough” and more than $50,000 from “The Art of the Deal.” Still, nine other books penned by the mogul brought in less than $200 apiece in royalties.