What Kirby proposed

The Scott Kirby wealth tax comments came in an interview with the New York Times, in which the United Airlines CEO was asked about growing public distrust of CEOs. He called for a national wealth tax and near-100% inheritance taxes, saying wealth inequality is a danger to society.

The rightwing backlash

The remarks drew a fast response from conservative commentators and politicians:

• Glenn Beck, a former Fox News host, and other X users called for a boycott of United Airlines.
• Fox Business and the New York Post ran headlines highlighting that Kirby made $32m in 2025.
• Louisiana governor Jeff Landry called the statement "audacious" on X, writing that Kirby "didn't even build" United and makes $32 million a year, and urged him to distribute his salary to employees at the bottom.
• Landry also told Kirby to "place your money where your mouth is", linking to a government donation website.

Kirby on fares and seat fees

In the same interview, Kirby defended 2026 fares, saying they are being compared with the pandemic's "artificial low" prices, which largely halted travel and highly disrupted the airline industry.

He argued that carriers must price tickets to cover their costs:

• "We have to charge enough that it covers the cost of flying, and it's expensive to fly airplanes."
• On add-ons such as the $70 passengers must pay for an aisle or window seat if they are not frequent flyers, he said charging for wanted services is how to give everyone what they want: "There are customers that pay more that get more."
• He maintained that fares are still lower than 2019 after inflation adjustment. Labor department data shows airline fares rose about 20% from September 2019 to September 2026, against 31% overall consumer price growth.

California billionaire's tax vote

The interview comes as voters in California decide in two weeks on a "billionaire's tax" imposing 5% on the state's billionaires, a measure wealthy opponents have spent millions fighting against.