Donald Trump still does business in Saudi Arabia, despite blaming the country for 9/11
Details of the Republican presidential candidate's financial records have been released by the Federal Election Commission
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has blamed Saudi Arabia for the 9/11 terrorist attacks – but is still doing business there, it has emerged.
Mr Trump, the likely Republican candidate in November's US presidential election, filed financial records to the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday, as is required of all presidential candidates.
The Commission has released the records, which reveal details of the billionaire’s income, debt and at least $1.4 billion in assets since 2015.
According to Associated Press, the financial disclosure appears to include information on a new business enterprise set up to operate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
But Mr Trump has not always expressed a positive view of the Middle Eastern country.
“Who blew up the World Trade Center? It wasn’t the Iraqis, it was Saudi – take a look at Saudi Arabia, open the documents,” he told Fox News in February.
And in March, the real estate magnate said he would consider stopping US oil purchases from Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies unless the Saudi government provided ground troops to fight Isis.
The 104-page document lists 527 current job titles for the businessman-turned-politician, who is listed as the head of an array of companies.
Four companies were incorporated by Mr Trump which could be related to a possible hotel project in Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia, according to Buzzfeed News.
In the disclosure, he is listed as president and owner of companies called THC Jeddah Hotel Advisor and DT Jeddah Technical Services Advisor. These are thought to be related to a possible hotel development.
Since he announced that he would be standing for president in June 2015, Mr Trump has created at least 46 new companies under his control.
However, these are often formed to hold other companies, meaning that someone else runs the business in practical terms.
The financial disclosure provides much less detail than a tax return would – but Mr Trump is the first presidential candidate to refuse to release his tax returns since 1976.
“There’s nothing to learn from them,” he said.
The Trump campaign claims that the tycoon’s net worth is more than $10 billion, but this is difficult to verify from the document, which does not provide specific details of assets over $50 million.
The document includes details of assets including at least $687 million in real estate and development, from properties like Trump Tower in New York and 40 Wall Street, and at least $550 million in golf courses and resorts, according to the New York Times.
The Republican presidential candidate also picked up $800,000 in speaking fees – relatively little in comparison to his Democrat rival Hillary Clinton, who revealed she earned $1.5 million for speeches before she launched her campaign.
The report shows Mr Trump has also invested in companies he has previously criticised, such as Apple, Amazon and the parent company of Oreo.
At a rally in South Carolina, Mr Trump called for a boycott of Apple products after the company refused to hack an iPhone linked to the San Bernardino terror attack.
“First of all, Apple ought to give the security for that phone,” he said. “What I think you ought to do is boycott Apple until such time as they give that security number.”
Mr Trump owns Apple stock valued at between $1.1 million and $2.25 million.
In December, Mr Trump called on Saudi Arabia to take in more Syrian refugees, following his own demands that all Muslims should be barred from entering the USA.
He wrote on Twitter: “Has [...] Saudi Arabia, taken any of the Syrian refugees? If not, why not?”
The Independent has contacted Donald Trump's press office for comment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments