Super-Rich Americans Plead to Pay More in Taxes

Patriotic Millionaires group protests outside Jeff Bezos' estate, lobbies Congress for higher taxes on the wealthy

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:26pm

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A photorealistic oil painting depicting a black limousine parked outside a large, stately mansion, the scene bathed in warm, dramatic lighting that casts deep shadows across the scene. The image conveys a sense of quiet contemplation and the tension between wealth and social responsibility.A silent protest outside the estate of one of America's wealthiest individuals underscores the growing calls for the rich to pay higher taxes.Washington Today

A group of wealthy Americans known as the Patriotic Millionaires staged a protest outside Jeff Bezos' Washington, D.C. estate on Tax Day, calling for higher taxes on the rich. The group, which includes the great-grandson of Oscar Mayer and other prominent figures, then lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill, arguing that taxing the wealthy is a 'nice compromise' that 'beats pitchfork rebellions and the guillotine'.

Why it matters

The Patriotic Millionaires' protest and lobbying efforts highlight growing public concerns over economic inequality and the perception that the wealthy are not paying their fair share in taxes. Their message contrasts with the common argument that higher taxes will drive the rich to leave, as the group argues they can afford to live anywhere and won't move just to avoid taxes.

The details

The Patriotic Millionaires staged a low-key protest outside Jeff Bezos' Washington, D.C. estate, using a truck with digital billboards mocking the Amazon founder. The group then went to Capitol Hill to meet with sympathetic lawmakers like Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ed Markey. The Patriotic Millionaires argue that taxing the wealthy is a reasonable compromise that is better than social unrest, and they are pushing for policies like a $100 million cap on household wealth and a 50% wealth tax above $30 million.

  • On April 15, also known as Tax Day, the Patriotic Millionaires protested outside Jeff Bezos' estate.
  • On April 15, the Patriotic Millionaires also lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

The players

Patriotic Millionaires

A group of wealthy Americans advocating for higher taxes on the rich, including the great-grandson of Oscar Mayer meat magnate.

Jeff Bezos

The founder of Amazon, whose Washington, D.C. estate was the site of the Patriotic Millionaires' protest.

Chuck Collins

An inequality activist and the great-grandson of Oscar Mayer, a member of the Patriotic Millionaires.

Abigail Disney

The granddaughter of Roy Disney and grandniece of Walt Disney, a member of the Patriotic Millionaires.

Scott Ellis

An ed-tech executive and former McKinsey consultant, a member of the Patriotic Millionaires.

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What they’re saying

“Taxation is a nice compromise. It totally beats economic, social collapse. It beats pitchfork rebellions and the guillotine.”

— Chuck Collins, Inequality activist and great-grandson of Oscar Mayer

“The whole point of being a millionaire is so you can live wherever you want to live. I'm not going to move somewhere else because of my taxes. People who don't want to pay taxes don't live in New York.”

— Morris Pearl, Founding member of Patriotic Millionaires, former BlackRock managing director

“It's hard to argue that $100 million is not enough. How do you get your trophy for winning capitalism?”

— Scott Ellis, Ed-tech executive, former McKinsey consultant

What’s next

The Patriotic Millionaires plan to continue lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks, pushing for higher taxes on the wealthy.

The takeaway

The Patriotic Millionaires' protest and advocacy highlight the growing public sentiment that the wealthy should pay more in taxes, even among some of the richest Americans themselves. Their message challenges the common narrative that higher taxes will drive the rich to leave, underscoring that the ability to live anywhere is part of the privilege of wealth.