Steve Roth was responding to the announcement by New York’s mayor of tax on second homes worth more than $5m

The phrase “tax the rich” can be “just as hateful as some disgusting racial slurs”, according to the New York City billionaire Steve Roth, who said that the top 1% should be “praised and thanked”.

Speaking on his company’s quarterly earnings call on Tuesday, Roth, the CEO of Vornado Realty Trust, expressed his support for fellow billionaire and the CEO of Citadel, Ken Griffin, who was singled out in the 15 April announcement by New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, of the state’s first “pied-à-terre” tax on second homes valued at more than $5m. In a video, Mamdani announced the policy in front of Griffin’s penthouse, which he said was purchased for $238m.

“We are all shocked that our young mayor would pull this stunt in front of Ken’s home and single him out for ridicule,” Roth said. “This was both irresponsible and dangerous.”

Edit: Mamdani’s video that sparked this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLKZnVB4F9k

  • Vegafjord demcon@lemmy.mlEnglish
    2·
    12 hours ago

    I dont think it is a slur. To be rich is even to this day associated with good qualities.

    in other words, the word rich doesnt reflect reality and we have to weed it out

    I think grabber is more suitable, because they grab property away from the commons.

    Release the grip!