- The Washington Times - Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Democratic Party on Thursday rolled out its latest trick to pressure Donald Trump to release his tax returns, sending a mascot known as “Donald Ducks” to follow the Republican presidential candidate along the campaign trail.

The publicity stunt began Thursday morning at Trump Tower in New York, where the mascot — a human dressed in a costume resembling the classic Disney character Donald Duck — held a sign reading, “Donald Ducks releasing his tax returns.”

The mascot, which the Democratic National Committee refers to as “Mr. Ducks,” also released a statement on the issue.

“What is he trying to hide? Is it because he’s not as rich as he says?” Mr. Ducks said in a statement. “Is it because he doesn’t donate to charity like he says? Is it because he doesn’t pay any taxes? Is it because he has foreign investments that could compromise national security? Whatever it is, it’s no excuse. Donald Trump should stop ducking and release his tax returns to the American people.”

Mr. Trump has said he cannot release his tax returns because he’s under audit by the IRS. Releasing tax returns has become standard procedure for presidential candidates over the last five decades, and all White House hopefuls since Richard Nixon have released the documents.

Mr. Ducks, the DNC said, will follow Mr. Trump along the campaign trail, and will make his next stop at a Trump event in Charlotte later Thursday.

• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.

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