Amazon chief says taxing billionaires more won’t solve US inequality

Amazon chairman Jeff Bezos has stated that politicians demonise the ultra-wealthy and use the issue of taxation to distract from deeper economic problems in the United States, saying even a significant increase in taxes on billionaires would not solve the problems faced by ordinary Americans.

In an interview with CNBC, Jeff Bezos noted that they could double the taxes he pays, and "it’s not going to help that teacher in Queens,” Caliber.Az reports.

Bezos acknowledged that income inequality remains a serious issue but argued that raising taxes on the wealthy is not an effective solution.

According to him, the United States effectively has “two economies,” with one segment of the population living comfortably while another faces significant hardship.

He also suggested that policymakers should instead consider reducing the tax burden on lower-income workers, citing nurses and teachers as examples.

According to data from the Tax Policy Center, around 40% of US households paid no federal income tax in 2024.

Bezos’ personal wealth is estimated at more than $270 billion.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov