Donald Trump’s presidential bid has been surrounded by considerable doubt and speculation, particularly with regards to his finances. Just days before the general election, news outlets began to call into question his well-publicized claims of having a net worth of “tens of billions of dollars”, by reporting substantial losses in his financials filings.
The reports of significant financial losses appeared to put an end to the notion that Trump had built an immense fortune by means of successful investments and shrewd business dealings. In response, Trump has remained tight-lipped and only vaguely alluded to the fact that the figures being reported are outdated. He has yet to refute any of the claims in detail.
It is unclear whether Trump’s wealth has drastically diminished in the years leading up to his candidacy or whether this was always the case. Either way, it is clear that it has been widely misrepresented. This discrepancy has prompted many to call into question the truth behind his other statements, including those concerning the state of the economy and his political positions.
Overall, Trump’s truthfulness with regards to his financials has come under considerable doubt, casting a pall over his entire presidential bid. There is no doubt that, even if Trump was to succeed in the election, the public’s faith in his plans for the country would be severely impacted by the revelations. It remains to be seen what other stories are coming to light between now and election day, and what effect they will have on the public’s perception.
