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United Airlines CEO calls for a national wealth tax and a near-100% inheritance tax
Fortune • • business
Key Points:
- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby publicly supports a national wealth tax and near 100% inheritance taxes at certain levels, citing growing wealth inequality as a danger to society.
- Kirby's 2025 compensation totaled $32.28 million, vastly outpacing the median United employee's $96,670, highlighting the stark pay gap between executives and workers.
- The wealth gap continues to widen, with the richest 1% holding 32.5% of U.S. net worth in mid-2026, while the bottom 50% hold just 2.3%, according to Federal Reserve data.
- Kirby's proposals have drawn mixed reactions, including criticism from Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, who suggested Kirby could simply donate money if he feels strongly about wealth redistribution.
- The U.S. currently has no federal inheritance tax but does have a federal estate tax with a 40% top rate and a $15 million exemption; Kirby did not specify details for his proposed tax thresholds or rates.
