Kirby says growing wealth inequality threatens American society and supports a nationwide wealth tax, as California voters prepare to decide on a separate billionaire tax proposal.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is calling for a national wealth tax and inheritance taxes approaching 100% for the wealthiest Americans. His comments, published October 18, 2026, have sparked debate over economic inequality, executive compensation and how much money wealthy families should be allowed to pass to future generations.
Kirby, who received more than $32 million in compensation in 2025, said wealth inequality has become a threat to American society. He argued that federal action would be more effective than individual state taxes because wealthy residents could otherwise relocate to avoid additional taxation.
The airline executive also said he would personally accept the higher taxes he supports. However, he did not identify the wealth threshold at which inheritance taxes should approach 100% or provide a detailed plan for implementing the proposal.
Kirby Warns That Wealth Inequality Threatens Society
Kirby made the comments during an interview with The New York Times that covered airline pricing, corporate leadership and declining public trust in chief executives.
When asked about concerns surrounding corporate leadership, he shifted the discussion toward the growing financial divide between wealthy Americans and the rest of the population.
“Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that,” Kirby said.
He called for a nationwide wealth tax, explaining that individual states could struggle to enforce such policies because wealthy people might move to lower-tax locations.
Kirby also proposed inheritance taxes that would approach 100% above an unspecified level of wealth. He ended his remarks by saying he would pay the taxes himself.
His statements stand out because they come from the leader of one of America’s largest airlines rather than a politician or tax policy advocate.
Kirby did not suggest that every inheritance should face an extremely high tax rate. His comments specifically referred to imposing much higher taxes at some level of accumulated wealth.
No federal legislation has been introduced by Kirby, and his remarks represent a policy position rather than a formal legislative proposal.
United CEO Earned More Than $32 Million in 2025
Kirby’s personal compensation has become part of the discussion surrounding his proposal.
According to United Airlines’ executive compensation disclosures, he received approximately $32.3 million in total compensation during 2025. That figure includes more than his regular salary and reflects the value of equity awards and other compensation.
Fortune reported that Kirby’s compensation was approximately 334 times the amount received by United’s median employee.
The difference illustrates the broader executive pay debate that Kirby addressed during his interview. Some critics argue that large compensation packages contribute to economic inequality, while others maintain that executive pay should reflect leadership responsibilities and company performance.
Kirby’s remarks have also drawn criticism from commentators who question whether wealthy executives should advocate higher taxes while continuing to receive substantial compensation.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry was among the political figures who criticized the United CEO’s position. Conservative commentators also challenged the proposal, arguing that it could impose excessive taxes on money and assets that have already been subject to taxation.
Kirby has said he would accept the same tax treatment he advocates for other wealthy individuals. His comments did not include an estimate of how much he personally would owe under such a system.
How a 100% Inheritance Tax Would Differ From Current Law
The United States already imposes a federal estate tax on certain transfers of wealth after death, but the existing system is considerably less restrictive than Kirby’s suggestion.
For 2026, the federal estate tax provides a basic exclusion of $15 million per person, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
This means estates generally can transfer substantial amounts before federal estate taxes become payable. Certain deductions, exemptions and credits can further affect the final tax calculation.
The highest federal estate tax rate is currently 40%. That rate applies to taxable amounts above the relevant thresholds rather than automatically applying to the entire value of an estate.
Kirby’s suggestion that inheritance taxes should approach 100% would represent a substantial departure from the existing system.
However, his comments leave several questions unanswered. He did not specify whether the higher rate should apply to estates worth $50 million, $100 million, $1 billion or another amount.
He also did not explain how the policy would treat family-owned businesses, farms, investments or assets that cannot easily be converted into cash.
Those details would be essential to understanding the potential effects on taxpayers and government revenue.
Wealth Taxes and Estate Taxes Work Differently
A national wealth tax would operate differently from an estate tax or an inheritance tax.
A wealth tax generally applies to the net value of assets owned by an individual, potentially including investments, business interests, property and other holdings. Depending on its design, it could be collected periodically while the owner is alive.
The federal estate tax applies to the transfer of taxable wealth after death. An inheritance tax, by contrast, generally applies to the person receiving inherited assets.
The distinction matters because Kirby advocated both a national wealth tax and much higher taxes on inherited fortunes.
Supporters of wealth taxes argue that they could reduce the concentration of wealth among a relatively small number of families. They also contend that the revenue could help fund public services and government programs.
Opponents question whether governments could accurately value complicated assets every year. They also warn about possible effects on investment, business ownership and incentives to accumulate wealth.
A federal wealth tax could face constitutional questions as well, depending on its structure. Congress would need to consider the legal framework alongside decisions about exemptions, tax rates and enforcement.
California’s Billionaire Tax Adds to the National Debate
Kirby’s comments come as California prepares to vote on a proposed tax targeting residents with particularly large fortunes.
Proposition 40, scheduled for the November 3, 2026, election, would impose a one-time tax of 5% on certain individuals and trusts with net worth exceeding $1 billion.
The proposal generally applies to people who were California residents on January 1, 2026. It excludes certain assets, including real estate and qualifying retirement accounts, from the calculation.
According to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, 90% of the money raised would be directed toward health care services. The remaining 10% would support food assistance or education-related programs.
State analysts estimate that the measure could produce tens of billions of dollars in temporary revenue spread over several years. They also project that California could lose ongoing income tax revenue if some wealthy taxpayers leave the state.
The initiative has drawn competing reactions from business leaders and investors.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has said he would be willing to pay billions of dollars if the California tax takes effect. Other wealthy technology executives have opposed the proposal and contributed substantial amounts to campaigns against it.
Kirby’s argument for federal taxation addresses one of the central concerns surrounding state wealth taxes: the possibility that wealthy residents could move to avoid them.
However, a nationwide tax could introduce other challenges, including international relocation and the treatment of assets held outside the United States.
Supporters and Critics Disagree Over Economic Effects
The broader debate reflects different views about how governments should address economic inequality.
Supporters of higher taxes on substantial fortunes argue that inherited wealth can create advantages that accumulate across generations. They contend that additional taxation could reduce those differences and provide revenue for public needs.
Critics argue that steep taxes on accumulated wealth could discourage investment and create problems for owners of businesses whose value is concentrated in assets rather than cash.
Some also question whether inheritance taxes approaching 100% would encourage wealthy families to transfer assets earlier, establish trusts or move money into other legal structures.
Economists and tax specialists have long debated whether wealth taxes can generate reliable revenue without creating excessive administrative costs or encouraging avoidance.
The outcome would depend heavily on the policy’s design, including which taxpayers were covered, what exemptions applied and how valuations were enforced.
Kirby’s brief proposal does not provide enough information to estimate those effects.
Kirby’s Comments Bring Corporate Leadership Into Tax Debate
The United CEO’s position is notable because it connects the national debate over taxation to questions about public confidence in corporate executives.
Kirby acknowledged those concerns while also defending United Airlines’ approach to passenger pricing during the interview.
He argued that operating aircraft is expensive and that customers who pay more for certain services receive additional benefits. Those comments prompted separate criticism from people who questioned the airline’s fees.
The broader interview therefore placed Kirby’s views on corporate responsibility alongside his defense of United’s business model.
For now, his tax proposals remain statements of support rather than a detailed plan awaiting congressional action.
California voters will decide Proposition 40 on November 3, while any nationwide wealth tax or major increase in federal estate taxes would require separate legislative action. Kirby has not announced plans to develop a formal proposal or campaign for specific tax legislation.
IMAGE: Scott Kirby of United Airlines. Photo: Provided by United Airlines / Wikimedia, taken 2018-01-09, CC BY 4.0