LinkedIn’s cofounder and executive chairman Reid Hoffman has pledged to donate up to $5 million to veterans groups if Donald Trump releases his tax returns before his final presidential debate against Hillary Clinton.
Mr. Hoffman pledged to support a crowdfunding campaign launched last week by Peter Kiernan, a Marine who hopes to raise $1 million and then donate the money to 10 veterans organizations if Mr. Trump agrees to release his tax returns by Oct. 19.
“If Kiernan’s campaign hits or exceeds its target, I will match the total amount he reaches with a 5x contribution, up to $5 million,” Mr. Hoffman wrote in a blog post Monday.
Mr. Kiernan said donors will only get charged if Mr. Trump releases his taxes. The campaign had raised more than $70,000 by Tuesday afternoon.
“By releasing his tax returns by the third and final debate,” Mr. Hoffman wrote, “Trump can help voters make more informed decisions on Election Day and support many worthy veterans’ organizations at the same time.”
“The American people deserve to know what’s on Trump’s tax returns. And Trump must show that he truly embraces accountability and transparency, and understands what it means to work on behalf of the public interest,” he added.
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Mr. Trump has said he won’t release his tax returns because of an ongoing IRS audit, making him the only major party nominee to withhold his tax returns. Mr. Trump’s running mate, Ohio Gov. Mike Pence, released 10 years of tax returns Friday.
Mr. Hoffman in June endorsed Mrs. Clinton, the Democratic nominee, for president and said she best ensures “the future of American prosperity,” CNN reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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