Story perspectives

United CEO Scott Kirby backs wealth and inheritance taxes

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 2:28 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Scott Kirby Tax Proposal

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby proposes a wealth tax and near-100% inheritance tax in the United States.
Kirby says wealth inequality threatens society and must be addressed, according to his New York Times interview.
Kirby pledged to pay the proposed taxes on his own $32.3 million 2025 earnings.
He argued the tax must be federal, not state, to prevent wealthy people from moving.
Kirby gave no specifics on rate, wealth threshold, or valuation of illiquid assets.

Summary

Landry Demands Salary Donation

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry demanded United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby donate his salary to the Treasury’s public-donations fund.
Glenn Beck and X users called for a United Airlines boycott after Kirby’s tax remarks.
A July survey found one in five Americans consider being a billionaire morally wrong.
California voters will decide a 5% “billionaire’s tax” ballot two weeks after Kirby’s interview.

History

Historical Context

When Woodrow Wilson signed the Revenue Act of 1913, the Sixteenth Amendment enabled a federal income tax of 1% on earnings above $3,000 and a 6% top rate on incomes over $500,000, affecting roughly three percent of Americans and shifting revenue from tariffs to taxes. This progressive foundation underlies today’s debate over a near-100% inheritance tax proposed by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby.

1 of 3

Scott Kirby Tax Proposal

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby proposes a wealth tax and near-100% inheritance tax in the United States.
Kirby says wealth inequality threatens society and must be addressed, according to his New York Times interview.
Kirby pledged to pay the proposed taxes on his own $32.3 million 2025 earnings.
He argued the tax must be federal, not state, to prevent wealthy people from moving.
Kirby gave no specifics on rate, wealth threshold, or valuation of illiquid assets.

1 / 3