Day 635: Even Fox News called out Trump’s lie about his Saudi financial ties

Despite promising to do so many, many times, Donald Trump has refused to release his tax returns. Where and how he gets the majority of his money has been largely hidden, save for random public statements and other disclosures.

So he felt free Tuesday to announce that he has no personal financial interests with Saudi Arabia (or Russia).

There’s ample evidence that Trump has significant financial ties to Russia, like when his son, Eric, told a writer, “We don’t rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia.” Most credible sources scoff at the notion that Trump has no financial ties to Russia, with some even claiming Trump has been in over his head with the Russian mob for decades.

Even Fox News couldn’t let Trump’s claim about his financial ties to Saudi Arabia go unchecked.

Not only does Trump has significant business interest with the Saudis, but many dealings are very recent, including after he was inaugurated.

The issue is particularly relevant considering the Saudis’ assassination of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and what, if any, the U.S. response will be. (The issue also has Emoluments Clause concerns too, since Trump continues to personally profit from business dealings while in office.)

Trump has so far backed Saudi Arabia’s explanation that Khashoggi’s death was an interrogation gone wrong. They “totally denied any knowledge of what took place,” Trump claimed, echoing the same naive line he has given about a plethora of other things.

Trump could clear up the idea that he is deciding what to do based on personal financial interest by simply releasing his tax returns. Of course, there’s no chance he’ll do that voluntarily.

635 days in, 827 to go

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