United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is calling for a national wealth tax and near-100% inheritance tax, a stance critics say is hypocritical given his own $32 million pay and his airline's poor customer service record.

• Kirby told the New York Times wealth inequality is dangerous and backed a national wealth tax plus steep inheritance taxes, saying he personally would pay them.
• Critics note the irony: United ranks near the bottom on lost luggage and customer satisfaction, yet Kirby made over $32 million last year.
• The bigger worry is that a national wealth tax could stop rich people from dodging state taxes just by moving to places like Texas or Florida — plugging that escape route only works at the federal level.
• Once in place, such a tax is expected to start with billionaires but gradually expand to hit people worth over $100 million, then $10 million, and eventually reach down to regular high earners.
• Wealthy individuals and companies may respond by relocating entirely outside the U.S., similar to how some crypto executives and entrepreneurs have already moved to places like Singapore or Puerto Rico for lower taxes.

Outlook: Expect wealth tax proposals to become a major talking point heading into the 2028 election cycle, with growing concern it could eventually extend beyond billionaires to a much broader group of earners.