Wealthy Dissent: Prominent Millionaires Call for Higher Taxes on Themselves

DAVOS, Switzerland — Against a backdrop of widening global inequality and political debates over wealth taxes, a surprising voice has emerged from within the ranks of the ultra-wealthy: their own. An open letter titled Time To Win, released on the eve of the 2026 World Economic Forum, carries the signatures of nearly 400 millionaires and billionaires who are demanding to be taxed more. The move starkly contrasts with the well-publicized efforts of some of their peers to minimize tax burdens or relocate over fiscal policies.

The 425-word letter, blunt in its core message of "Tax us. Tax the super rich," arrives as a direct counter-narrative. It follows months of threats from some billionaires to exit high-tax jurisdictions like California and New York. Signatories argue that systemic under-taxation of extreme wealth undermines social cohesion and economic stability, advocating for reforms to fund public services and narrow the wealth gap.

Among the notable names are actor Mark Ruffalo, Disney heiress and activist Abigail Disney, and New York real estate magnate Jeffrey Gural. Their involvement signals a deepening fissure among the economic elite regarding fiscal responsibility and social contract.

Ruffalo, with an estimated net worth of $35 million, is a long-time advocate for taxing extreme wealth. "When you tax billionaires at 90 percent, they're still fabulously rich and you have the resources to rebuild a healthy and happy middle class," he posted on social media platform X in 2023. His signature reinforces a stance he has held for years, previously supporting the 2022 "In Tax We Trust" campaign.

Abigail Disney, whose fortune is estimated at $120 million, has used her platform to critique executive pay and champion workers' rights within her family's company. A member of the advocacy group Patriotic Millionaires—a key organizer of the letter—she has consistently called wealth accumulation beyond a certain point "a strange way to live." In a 2025 interview, she argued, "every billionaire who can't live on $999m is kind of a sociopath," emphasizing her belief in the utility of a wealth tax for economic health.

Jeffrey Gural, a real estate developer with a portfolio worth hundreds of millions, shares a professional background with former President Donald Trump but diverges sharply on tax policy. A member of Patriotic Millionaires' advisory board, Gural has publicly supported higher taxes on the wealthy since at least 2011, telling Fox News he was willing to pay more to prevent undue burden on lower-income Americans.

The letter's impact at Davos remains to be seen, but it adds considerable weight to the political argument for wealth tax proposals currently debated in several legislatures. Analysts suggest it could weaken opposition by demonstrating support from within the taxed demographic itself.

Voices from the Public

Michael R., Policy Analyst, London: "This is a significant, symbolic gesture. It highlights that extreme concentration of wealth is now seen as a systemic risk by some of those who benefit from it. The challenge is translating this sentiment into actionable, globally coordinated policy."

Priya Chen, Small Business Owner, Austin: "I find it genuinely hopeful. When people who have the most say the system is broken and they need to contribute more, it's a powerful message about shared responsibility. It's not about punishment; it's about investment in our collective future."

David K., Retired Banker, Zurich: "This is pure virtue signaling and economically naive. These individuals already have their fortunes secured. Higher taxes don't just target 'the rich'—they stifle investment, innovation, and ultimately hurt the job market. This is a simplistic solution to a complex problem."

Elena Rodriguez, Sociology Professor, Madrid: "The letter underscores a crucial shift. The debate is moving from 'if' the wealthy should be taxed more to 'how.' The participation of figures like Gural, from the heart of the real estate industry, suggests even traditional bastions of capital are reevaluating the status quo."