Scott Kirby, chief executive of United Airlines, has faced rightwing backlash after telling the New York Times that wealth inequality represents a "danger to society" and calling for the United States to introduce a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes.
When asked about growing public distrust of corporate leaders and his responsibility to address it, Kirby said a wealth tax was necessary at the federal level because "it won't work by state because people will just move." He also advocated for inheritance taxes that "get close to 100% at some level" and said he would be willing to pay them.
The remarks drew swift condemnation from conservative commentators and politicians. Fox Business and the New York Post highlighted that Kirby earned $32 million in 2025, questioning his credentials to make such statements. Glenn Beck, a former Fox News host, and other users on the social media platform X called for a boycott of United Airlines. Jeff Landry, Louisiana's governor, called Kirby's position "audacious" and suggested on X that Kirby should distribute his salary to lower-paid United employees instead, challenging him to "step up and place your money where your mouth is."
Kirby's comments come as California prepares to hold a vote on a so-called "billionaire's tax," a 5% levy on the state's billionaires that wealthy interests have spent millions to oppose. During the same interview, Kirby addressed concerns about rising airfares, saying high prices reflected comparisons to "artificial low" pandemic prices when travel was largely halted. He defended the airline's practice of charging passengers $70 to select aisle or window seats unless they are frequent flyers, saying "the way to give everyone what they want is to charge for the services and products that those customers want." Kirby maintained that fares remained lower than in 2019 after adjusting for inflation. According to data from the labor department, airline fares increased by about 20% from September 2019 to September 2026, while overall consumer prices rose 31% over the same period.
For passengers and investors in the United States, the controversy highlights tensions over airline pricing practices and executive compensation, while also reflecting broader political divisions over taxation and wealth distribution.