Donald Trump’s biographer, David Cay Johnston, has cast doubts on the former president’s claim of being worth $10 billion. Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter, expressed skepticism about Trump’s wealth during an appearance on CNN’s “Anderson 360.” Trump had previously boasted of being a billionaire ten times over in 2015 and his presidential campaign’s press release stated that his income was $362 million.
Johnston, author of “The Big Cheat: How Donald Trump Fleeced America and Enriched Himself and His Family,” questioned Trump’s claims and pointed out that if he were truly worth $10 billion, he should be “rolling in money.” However, Johnston highlighted that Trump seems to rely on begging for money from people, citing a recent Reuters report where hotelier Robert Bigelow claimed to have given Trump $1 million towards his legal fees and promised to give him $20 million more for his super PAC.
The debate surrounding Trump’s net worth has been ongoing for years. In 2023, despite legal battles and a real estate crisis, his wealth was reported to have risen to $3.1 billion, $500 million more than when he left the White House in 2021. However, he was excluded from the Forbes 400 list of America’s wealthiest individuals for 2023, with an estimated net worth of $2.6 billion. This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of Trump’s claims.
Johnston’s skepticism comes at a time when Trump is facing significant legal battles that could potentially deplete his cash reserves. He is currently facing two major legal verdicts in New York that could potentially wipe out most of his wealth. This could be a setback for Trump, whose brand is closely tied to his financial success.
The question of Trump’s true net worth has long been a topic of interest, and Johnston’s skepticism adds further fuel to the debate. As the former president continues to navigate legal challenges and maintain his public image, the accuracy of his claims about his wealth will likely remain a point of contention.
