The Wall Street Journal is calling on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to release his tax returns by the end of the month.
The newspaper's conservative-leaning editorial board wrote Friday that Trump must prove he is as successful in the business world as he says he is.
"One of Donald Trump's claims to presidential competence is his business and financial success, and so he should want voters to see the proof beyond the gilded staircases," they wrote. "He could enhance his credibility on the point by releasing his tax returns."
The Journal catalogued Trump's repeated dodges on the question of his tax returns. They noted that he said in January that "I have everything all approved," but said last week that the returns will still take several months.
"Waiting that long suggests that he'd wait until he wins or loses the nomination, which means before primary voters can get a look," the editorial said.
It warned Trump against falling into the same "bad political mistake" 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney made in waiting until two months before that election to release his returns, allowing Democrats to spread speculation about Romney's finances.
The Journal noted that Trump's rivals Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have not released their most recent tax returns, but both publicized their returns when running for Senate in recent years.
Trump on Wednesday accused the Journal of having it out for him, pointing to his poor numbers in polls conducted by the newspaper.
"I think somebody at the Wall Street Journal doesn't like me," he said at an MSNBC town hall in Charleston, S.C.
"I think most of the polls were taken after the debate and they worked out good for me," Trump said. "I have never done well with the Wall Street Journal poll. I don't know. They do these small samples and I don't know exactly what it represents."
LOL! Stopped reading right there.
Folks don’t care if Trump dodges taxes with legal loopholes. That would make him a hero. The less anyone gives to the feds, the better.
Is this the same paper that ran those made up poll results on their front page?
Screw em
Hope they have a moving van, a big store room and at least 100 tax employees they can spare.
Should keep em busy for a few years.
Trump does not have to give the WSJ his tax returns. They have done nothing but kick him in the teeth. I wouldn’t give them a subscription.
They didn't speculate, they lied. They will lie anyway. No matter what he releases, they will frickin' lie about him, and not only democrats, but especially Cruz as well. Screw 'em.