# whats the actual law on a Presidential candidate putting assets into a blind trust? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 19, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-actual-law-on-a-presidential-candidate-putting-assets-into-a-blind-trust/749565 "2016-03-19T20:28:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-actual-law-on-a-presidential-candidate-putting-assets-into-a-blind-trust/749565/1 "2016-03-19T20:28:13Z")
Putting this in elections not GQ because its blatantly about Trump. Legally, does he actually have to put his assets into a blind trust or is it just expected that a Presidential candidate will? Apparently Obama did not, because his investments were deemed not of a nature likely to cause conflict. Obama did release tax returns. So far Trump has not released any tax returns or put his assets into a trust. Is there any actual law about this or can he simply refuse to do either and let the voters decide if thats acceptable or not? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-actual-law-on-a-presidential-candidate-putting-assets-into-a-blind-trust/749565/2 "2016-03-19T21:07:44Z")
As far as I know, no there’s no law about putting your money into a blind trust as Obama not doing so should tell you. According to this [Fortune article](http://fortune.com/2012/10/22/who-needs-a-blind-trust/) in 2010 only 7/100 Senators and 12/435 Congressman had set up blind trusts. It’s a bit of an urban legend that they are required for politicians. I am pretty sure releasing your taxes is purely a political stunt/tactic.