Can the New York Times print Donald Trump’s state tax returns without his permission?

The correct choice is that the New York Times can print Donald Trump’s state tax returns without his permission because such documents are generally considered public information. In many jurisdictions, including New York, tax returns filed with the state are accessible to the public, subject to certain privacy laws and regulations which may allow for some redaction of personal information.

This understanding rests on the principle that when individuals or entities file documents with government bodies, those documents often become part of the public record. Consequently, media outlets have the right to publish this information, provided they obtain it legally.

The other options suggest scenarios that restrict access or require permissions that are not typically applicable in the context of state tax returns, particularly in jurisdictions like New York where public access to such documents is granted. Thus, the ability of a publication like the New York Times to report on publicly available tax returns aligns with the principles of freedom of the press and public access to government-held information.