Business · Companies · 9 hrs ago
United CEO Scott Kirby backs a national wealth tax
United CEO Scott Kirby called wealth inequality a danger to society and said the US should introduce a national wealth tax.
He argued that a tax set by individual states would not work because wealthy people could move elsewhere.
Kirby also said inheritance taxes should rise to nearly 100% above some level, though he did not say what level or tax rate he supports.
His 2025 compensation was about $32.3 million, including salary, stock awards and performance incentives.
That was about 334 times United's median employee compensation of $96,670.
The gap between Kirby's pay and typical employee pay has drawn attention as he argues that wealth inequality needs to be addressed.
A California proposal to tax billionaires is due to go before voters in November, while Kirby's comments have also drawn criticism online.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the United States should adopt a national wealth tax and raise inheritance taxes to nearly 100% at some level.
Kirby said a wealth tax would need to be national because people could move between states to avoid a state-level tax.
He said he would pay the proposed taxes, but did not specify their thresholds or rates.
United’s proxy statement put Kirby’s 2025 compensation at $32.28 million, about 334 times the median employee’s $96,670.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry criticized Kirby’s remarks, saying he could donate money to the Treasury instead.
- Who
- United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry criticized his comments.
- What
- Kirby backed a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100% at some level.
- When
- Kirby made the comments in a recent interview with The New York Times, published Sunday. The reports appeared on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- In an interview with The New York Times. Kirby said a wealth tax should be national rather than state-based.
- Why
- Kirby said wealth inequality had become a danger to society. He made the comments while responding to a question about declining public trust in CEOs.
Scott Kirby
Jeff Landry
Proposed taxes
Scott Kirby
Kirby called for a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100% at some level.
Jeff Landry
Landry said Kirby could donate money to help pay down the national debt instead.
Response to the proposal
Scott Kirby
Kirby said he would pay the proposed taxes.
Jeff Landry
Landry linked to the Treasury’s fund for public donations to pay down the debt.
Kirby received $32.28 million in total compensation, according to United’s proxy statement.
The New York Times published its interview with Kirby, in which he backed a national wealth tax and higher inheritance taxes.
Fortune, Business Insider and Fox Business published reports on Kirby’s comments.
Jeff Landry criticized Kirby on X and linked to the Treasury’s public donation fund for paying down the national debt.
- Kirby’s 2025 compensation
- $32.28 million
- Median United employee compensation
- $96,670
- Pay ratio
- About 334 times the median employee’s compensation
- Kirby’s proposed wealth tax
- National; he did not state a threshold or rate
- Federal estate tax top marginal rate
- 40% in 2026
- Federal estate tax basic exclusion amount
- $15 million for people who die in 2026
4 sources
United Airlines CEO—who made $32 million last year—calls for a national wealth tax and a nearly 100% inheritance tax: ‘I would pay them’
United CEO Scott Kirby says he wants a nationwide wealth tax
United CEO silent on $32M compensation after calling wealth gap a 'danger'
What people are saying
Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that
We should have a national wealth tax — it won't work by state because people will just move
And I think we should have inheritance taxes that get close to 100 percent at some level. I would pay them.
he could simply cut a check
Posts on X
How audacious from a guy that didn’t even build @united and makes $32 million a year. If he feels that strongly he could simply cut a check here: https://t.co/MP1Uf1VaF9 Let’s see you step up and place your money where your mouth is!