Billionaire Declares That "Tax the Rich" Is Hate Speech That Offends Him Horribly

"“We are all shocked that our young mayor would pull this stunt in front of Ken's home and single him out for ridicule. This was both irresponsible and dangerous,” Roth groused. “I must say that I consider the phrase 'tax the rich' - quote tax the rich - spit out with anger and contempt by politicians both here and across the country, to be just as hateful as some disgusting racial slurs, and even the phrase from the 'river to the sea,'” he said, referring to the Palestinian liberation chant."

"“But the rich whom the politicians are targeting, starting with nothing, are the epitome of the American dream,” Roth continued, without a hint of irony. “They are our largest employers and largest philanthropists, and it is the 1 percent that makes 50 percent of New York's income taxes. They are at the top of the great American economic pyramid for a reason. They should be praised and thanked.”"

"One of the most spectacular comes came from real estate baron Steve Roth, who recently declared that the phrase "tax the rich" offends him just as much as the most noxious racial slur, the Guardian reported. Speaking on a quarterly earnings call - of all things - Roth went on a rant about Ken Griffin, a fellow billionaire singled out by New York mayor Zohran Mamdani as an example of an ultra-wealthy man who could stand to pay more taxes for the common good."

"Specifically, Roth was irked that Mamdani recently announced a "pied-à-terre tax" - a no-brainer tax policy targeting second homes valued at $5 million or more - in front of Griffin's $238 million New York penthouse."

Heightened class tensions in the United States have intensified public rhetoric. Real estate baron Steve Roth reacted strongly to calls for higher taxes on wealthy people. During a quarterly earnings call, he criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for announcing a pied-à-terre tax aimed at second homes worth $5 million or more, especially because it was announced near Ken Griffin’s $238 million penthouse. Roth said the phrase “tax the rich” offends him as much as racial slurs and also compared it to the Palestinian liberation chant “river to the sea.” He argued that wealthy targets are the epitome of the American dream, serving as major employers and philanthropists, and contributing a large share of New York income taxes.

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