He’s funding his own campaign, flying around in his own airliner and lives in a couple of the most incredible places in the world (Trump Tower and Mar a Lago)...and the’re saying that maybe he isn’t that rich???
These people just can’t stand that someone truly independent of their gifts with strings attached might actually get political power.
He is loaning his campaign money, not actually funding it. He will be paid back from the individual donations coming in. Up to $10-million in donations now? Plus, he is getting tens of millions of television time provided free by the news networks broadcasting his campaign events. This ego trip he is taking you all on is costing him little if any.
The colloquial term “rich” becomes very complex when digging into the details.
For a ridiculously simplified example: Trump may not personally own Trump Tower, but he may have arranged for his multi-story penthouse rent to cost $1/month ... ergo, he doesn’t need much income for housing, and so he can reduce his income accordingly. His airplanes, cars, staff, dining out, etc et al are undoubtedly owned/covered by his businesses, so his income needs are likewise reduced.
Steve Jobs’ salary as Apple CEO was $1/year. He was planning to move into a rather humble (for a billionaire) home. More such examples at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-dollar_salary
These guys certainly have massive investments; done right, they ONLY incur taxable income when cashed out for particular needs ... and if _that_ is done right, total expenses requiring taxable income can be very low for a well-established 0.01%-er.
Yes indeed, Trump’s tax returns may show his income is low - maybe (ok, probably not) even lower than mine (most of which goes to mortgage, car payments, and tuition). If darned near everything is paid for or expensed, you can make arrangements to ensure your taxable income is next to nothing.