Government Goes After Taxes on the Rich; Billionaires: We're Not Criminals

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Jeff Bezos, chief executive of Amazon and a billionaire, also commented on the proposed tax rules to be applied in the United States. He supported plans for tax policy proposed by several Democrats, including eliminating the income tax for half of the lowest-income Americans. “A nurse in Queens earning US$75,000 per year pays more than US$12,000 in taxes per year. Is that really sensible?” Bezos was quoted by CNBC International on Friday (22 May 2026).

However, Bezos, who is worth US$272.3 billion (Rp 4.8 quadrillion), also criticised those who label the wealthy as criminals. Previously, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned Citadel CEO Ken Griffin amid the launch of the latest pied-à-terre tax. He criticised the condemnation. Politicians were accused by Bezos of using an old tactic to brand someone a villain and to point fingers.

“It is not right for the mayor to stand in front of Ken Griffin’s house and pretend he is a criminal. Ken Griffin is not a criminal; he has not harmed anyone, has not harmed New York, and indeed, the opposite,” he explained.

Bezos said the debate over cutting taxes for low-income Americans and increasing taxes for higher earners is a valid one. But he nonetheless condemned the smear that accompanied the proposed rules.

Bezos also rebutted criticisms that he does not pay enough taxes. He said he has paid billions in taxes.

Raising taxes on the rich, he argued, will never solve the problems at hand.

“You could double the taxes I pay, and it would not help teachers in Queens. I guarantee it,” Bezos asserted.

Blue Origin boss also strongly denied the accusation that the wealthy employ a ‘buy, borrow, die’ strategy, referring to borrowing against assets to reduce tax burdens. “I have no idea where that comes from. I regularly sell Amazon shares,” he said.