The net worth issue is fascinating. Do you suppose that’s why he won’t release his tax records? Also, is that why he is so available for free media anytime anywhere? He is self funding his campaign, but with a net worth of less than one billion there is no way he can afford a traditional campaign.
About 4 months ago I read a piece that had his fluid cash assets at about $70-80 million. For him to self finance a billion dollar campaign he would have to borrow almost all of it, or have a fire sale on his properties to raise cash. He already has huge loans outstanding, and there is talk that he does not have enough equity in his holdings to do the deal.
Exactly on target. Bullseye!
And consider this:
Even if DT's net worth is in the range of two to three billion, an uncomfortable fact of life for him is that it's almost all tied up in illiquid real estate. His cash and other liquid assets are only a few hundred million, at most.
Anybody with experience in commercial real estate can tell you, moreover, that to convert such massive real estate holdings into cash at "fair market value" would take months if not years.
Therefore, if Trump should need cash right away, he'd either (1) have to mortgage himself to the hilt, or (2) sell his properties at "fire sale" prices. In the latter case, he'd be looking at maybe 50% of fair market value.
Either way, mortgaging or fire sale, a sentient being ought to realize that Trump ain't gonna do it. If he wants to run a General Election campaign, self-funding is not gonna happen. Just ain't a viable option. He'll need donor support -- and a lot of it.
Bottom Line:
Trump's current "self funding" shtick is a con-game that's eerily similar to Trump University, Trump Steaks, Trump Vodka, Trump Airlines or the junk bonds DT used to finance other dubious ventures. And his current ruse is on track to turn out just as well as did so many of Trump's previous fiascos.
"You can't fool all of the people all of the time, but apparently you can fool the Trumpsters anytime you wish."