Romney: Trump won't release tax returns due to 'bombshell'

Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump is stonewalling calls that he release his income tax returns. Ex-GOP nominee Mitt Romney says there's one reason for Trump's refusal: "There's a bombshell in them" Here, Romney speaks last Saturday to a campaign rally in Lynden, Washington. less Republican presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump is stonewalling calls that he release his income tax returns. Ex-GOP nominee Mitt Romney says there's one reason for Trump's refusal: "There's a ... more Photo: Grant Hindsley/seattlepi.com Photo: Grant Hindsley/seattlepi.com Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Romney: Trump won't release tax returns due to 'bombshell' 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Donald Trump is likely to be the first major party presidential nominee in 40 years not to release his income tax returns.

Trump gave contradictory answers on Wednesday, initially telling Associated Press: "There's nothing to learn from them." Later, the Republican front runner sought refuge behind the fact that he is being subjected to a "very fair audit."

"I will release them as soon as the audit is done. I hope that's soon," Trump said.

Given that Trump's returns for every year since 2009 are under audit, however, it is extremely unlikely that any tax information on him will be released before the November election.

Critics immediately pointed out that President Richard Nixon, famous for telling the American people, "I am not a crook," released his income tax returns while under audit.

Trump was loudly critical in 2012 when GOP nominee Mitt Romney delayed the release of his latest tax income tax filing. "Mitt has got to get those returns (released)," said Trump, who had endorsed Romney.

Romney cut loose at Trump in a Facebook post on Wednesday, taking out after a candidate he previously called a "fraud."

"There is only one logical explanation for Mr. Trump's refusal to release his returns: There is a bombshell in them," said Romney. "Given Mr. Trump's equanimity with other flaws in his history, we can only assume it is a bombshell of considerable size."

Retired longtime (1954-2012) Michigan Rep. John Dingell, in a Twitter post, quipped: "Imagine being so damn terrible that even Mitt Romney can get away with calling you out for not releasing your taxes."

Hillary Clinton, at a New Jersey campaign kickoff, said tax returns should be released, "Because when you're running for president and you become the nominee, that's kind of expected."

"You've got to ask yourself, why doesn't he release them? Yeah, well, we're going to find out," said the Democratic presumptive nominee, labeled "Crooked Hillary Clinton" by the stonewalling Trump.

Trump has pursued a torturous route on the issue. In February 2015, before announcing for president, the billionaire real estate mogul told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that he "would release tax returns."

The Internal Revenue Service has even been heard on the issue, saying in February: "Federal privacy rules prohibit the IRS from discussing individual tax matters. Nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax information."

Why release returns, and what should be read into Trump's stonewalling? Romney explained:

"It is disqualifying for a modern day presidential nominee to refuse to release tax returns to the voters, especially one who has not been subject to scrutiny in either military or public service.

"Tax returns provide the public with its sole confirmation of the veracity of a candidate's representations regarding charities, priorities, wealth, tax conformance and conflicts of interest."