Story perspectives

Billionaires Control 12% of Income, Fuel Annexation Plans

1/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

American billionaires now control 12% of national income, higher than the early 1900s, say Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman.
Saez and Zucman say this wealth fuels annexation plans for Greenland, despite public disinterest.
Zucman argues that billionaire interests, especially from extractive companies, push these agendas, like Hawaii’s annexation.
Zucman proposes tying billionaire wealth to European market access to counter the influence and prevent unchecked wealth-driven imperialism that could reshape democracies.

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Story summary

American billionaires now control 12% of national income, higher than the early 1900s, say Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman.
Saez and Zucman say this wealth fuels annexation plans for Greenland, despite public disinterest.
Zucman argues that billionaire interests, especially from extractive companies, push these agendas, like Hawaii’s annexation.
Zucman proposes tying billionaire wealth to European market access to counter the influence and prevent unchecked wealth-driven imperialism that could reshape democracies.