Jeff Bezos is pushing back against calls to raise taxes on the ultra-wealthy, arguing that higher taxes on billionaires would do little to improve life for everyday Americans.
Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, Bezos criticized politicians for using wealthy Americans as political targets while ignoring what he described as deeper economic problems facing the country.
“You could double the taxes I pay, and it’s not going to help that teacher in Queens, I promise you,” Bezos said during the interview, according to UNILAD.
Zohran Mamdani, who has been advocating for higher taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, replied to his comment on X, writing: “I know a few teachers in Queens who would beg to differ.”
The debate reportedly comes as Mamdani continues pushing new tax proposals aimed at New York City’s richest residents, including a so-called “pied-à-terre” tax that would apply to owners of luxury properties that don’t live there full time.
“Picking a villain and pointing fingers”
While Bezos acknowledged that income inequality remains a serious issue in the United States, he argued that increasing taxes on billionaires is not the solution.
“I think what’s going on is that it’s kind of a tale of two economies – so you have a bunch of people in this country who are doing really well, but you also have a bunch of people in this country who are struggling,” Bezos said, according to UNILAD.
“So what’s happening here is, politicians are using the kind of age old technique… you know, picking a villain and pointing fingers.”
Bezos continued: “The top one percent of taxpayers pay about 40 percent of all the tax revenue, and the bottom half pay percent,” he said.
Despite opposing higher taxes on the rich, Bezos also questioned why lower-income Americans are paying taxes at all.
“How about we start by having the nurse in Queens not pay taxes?” he added, without specifying a particular tax.
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