Presidential candidate Donald Trump asserted a net worth of more than $10 billion in financial disclosure forms filed today.
Trump's filing with the Federal Elections Commission officially cements his entrance into the 2016 presidential race and sets him up for a spot at the first Republican primary debate in August. Trump claimed he earned $362 million in 2014 to bring his net worth to over $10 billion, making him the wealthiest candidate to ever run for President.
Forbes disputes Trump's claims, however, contending the former host of "The Apprentice" is worth closer to $4 billion. The FEC has not yet posted Trump's disclosure to their site, although Trump claimed he was paid $213 million by NBC Universal for 14 seasons of his reality show.
Nevertheless, Trump touted his wealth and congratulated himself for following election law in a statement:
First people said I would never run, and I did. Then, they said, I would never file my statement of candidacy with the FEC, and I did. Next, they said I would never file my personal financial disclosure forms. I filed them early despite the fact that I am allowed two 45 days extensions. Now I have surged in the polls and am fighting to Make America Great Again.
Trump credited his real-estate holdings and the stock market with the rise in his wealth:
Mr. Trump's net worth has increased since the more than one year old financial statement produced at his presidential announcement. Real estate values in New York City, San Francisco, Miami and many other places where he owns property have gone up considerably during this period of time. His debt is a very small percentage of value, and at very low interest rates.
Even though stock market purchases are not something that Mr. Trump has focused on in the past, and while only a small part of his net worth, 40 of the 45 stocks purchased went up in a relatively short period of time, creating a gain of $27,021,471, not including those stocks still remaining in the portfolio which currently have an unrealized gain of over $22 million
Trump's main GOP rival Jeb Bush has filed for a 45-day extension but his campaign released their second quarter figures today and as MSNBC's Mark Murray notes, Bush has already had to lend his own campaign cash:
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Bush, of course, raised a staggering $114 million in the first half of the year but $103 million went to his Super PAC, which will carry out most of Bush's traditional campaign functions. Trump has repeatedly hit Bush as a candidate beholden to donors and has cited his financial largess as proof he is incorruptible.
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