Eric Trump, the son of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, says it would be “foolish” for his father to release his tax returns while he’s being audited and that no tax attorney in the world would tell someone to do so.
“It would be foolish to do, and honestly, I’m actually the biggest proponent of not doing it because he’s under a standard audit. You just don’t do that during that time,” Eric Trump said Wednesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
“There is no tax attorney in the world who will tell you to release your tax returns while you’re under a standard, routine audit,” he said. “It would never happen. I mean, anybody who thinks that is in la-la land.”
The candidate has said he’ll release his returns when the audit is completed. Billionaire Warren Buffett, who is supporting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, has said he, too, is being audited and has offered to hold a joint press conference with Mr. Trump where they would both face questions about their taxes.
“But I also hear these conspiracy theories all the time. You don’t learn that much from a tax return, in all fairness,” Eric Trump said.
“I heard someone the other day, this was a quote: ‘Trump has ties to the mob. If you released his tax returns, you would clearly see that.’ I’m sitting there, are you guys kidding me?” he said. “You learn a lot more when you look at a person’s assets.”
Rep. Chris Collins, the first sitting member of Congress to endorse Mr. Trump, said on CNN Wednesday that Mr. Trump should not release his returns.
“I’ve said from day one he shouldn’t release his taxes - that’s private information,” said Mr. Collins, New York Republican.
“That’s a personal decision. There’s nothing in the law that requires it. He’s under an audit,” Mr. Collins said.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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