© Rick Wilking / Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the "Salute to Our Armed Forces" inaugural ball during inauguration festivites in Washington, U.S. January 20, 2017.
The petition surpassed the goal of 100,000 signatures less than 24 hours after the call to action was made, meaning the White House is obligated to give an official reply within 60 days.
Created by "A.D.," the petition calls for the White House to: "Immediately release Donald Trump's full tax returns, with all information needed to verify emoluments clause compliance."
"The unprecedented economic conflicts of this administration need to be visible to the American people, including any pertinent documentation which can reveal the foreign influences and financial interests which may put Donald Trump in conflict with the emoluments clause of the Constitution," the petition reads.
The newly sworn-in president shunned tradition by refusing to release his tax returns during the election. The exact amount of Trump's wealth is still unknown, though Forbes estimates his net worth to be $3.7 billion.
Reader Comments
I think you're right on the carryforwards, as the tax laws require most income/loss to be written against similars.... which can take quite a while to dispose of... also, the multiple bankruptcies would show, depending upon how far back the potential release goes, that Trump has learn to 'play the game' as those laws have been tweeked to the benefit of those with money and against the average Joe/Jane... which shows him to be a player willing to play the game as it is designed. The question is whether he chooses to change those rules.
On another note, those signing this petition better have clean returns themselves, sort of like that biblical analogy of 'being the first to throw stones'.... starting a rock downhill takes on quite a lot of momentum and ends up involving many more spectators that thought themselves on the sidelines and out of harms way... only to be severely disappointed when that rock rolls nearby.