Actor Mark Ruffalo is facing backlash after publicly endorsing a “Tax the Rich” campaign and calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to raise taxes on billionaires and corporations, as reported by Fox News.
On Feb. 24, the 58-year-old “Marvel” star shared a video on social media urging Hochul to impose higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy in an effort to address affordability issues across New York.
In the clip, Ruffalo also promoted the Tax the Rich & Demand an Affordable NY: Albany Takeover, a march and rally held in the state capital on Feb. 25.
Actor Mark Ruffalo says that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is getting in the way of Mayor Mamdani’s affordability agenda and demands that she begin taxing the rich.
“60% of New Yorker’s like me agree that we should tax billionaires and corporations to fund childcare, housing and… pic.twitter.com/voDGLyMOlJ
— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) February 24, 2026
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“In New York, rent is crushing people,” Ruffalo said in the video. “Childcare now costs over $20,000 a year on average. Trump’s policies keep making billionaires richer, while working families endure cuts to essential services.”
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He continued by referencing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist elected last November.
“So last year, over a million New Yorkers came together to vote for Mayor Mamdani’s affordability agenda,” Ruffalo said.
“So who’s getting in the way?” he added. “Gov. Kathy Hochul has a choice to make. You protect working families, and tax the rich, or make Trump’s cuts worse by forcing everyday people to pay more.
Sixty percent of New Yorkers, like me, agree that we should tax billionaires and corporations to fund childcare, housing, and transit. Working people shouldn’t be the ones always stuck with the bill.”
“This Wednesday, Feb. 25, thousands of folks are going to Albany to send Kathy Hochul one clear message: Tax the Rich for New York that we can all afford. They can handle it. Trust me,” he concluded.
Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo demands NY Governor Kathy Hochul to:
“Tax billionaires and corporations to fund childcare, housing and transit.”pic.twitter.com/BwApMLclOY
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) February 24, 2026
An X user later shared Ruffalo’s video, writing, “Mark Ruffalo: ‘Tax the rich… They can handle it, trust me,’” in a post that drew more than 5 million views.
The post quickly attracted criticism, with several users questioning why Ruffalo, whose net worth is estimated in the tens of millions, was not volunteering to pay more in taxes himself.
“Waiting for him to step up,” one X user wrote.
“So he can handle it right?” another added.
“There is nothing stopping Mark Ruffalo from checking that box on his tax returns, that he would like to pay more than the required amount,” another detractor commented.
There’s nothing stopping Ruffalo from paying more in taxes. If he feels so strongly then he should put his money where his mouth is
— still JOHNNY and still a.k.a BECKY (@JR13717022) February 24, 2026
“He could easily give away every dime he owns except for a middle-class income level.”
“Him first,” another user agreed.
Some critics argued that while Ruffalo was advocating for higher taxes on billionaires and large corporations, he was not calling for increased taxes on millionaires.
“I love how he says ‘we should tax billionaires.’ This exposes the sickening hypocrisy of these leftie celebrities,” one critic wrote.
“He’s a millionaire – so, don’t tax him more – he’s not ‘wealthy’. No, no… It’s those nasty billionaires – who already pay tax and create wealth in the economy.”
“If we just took every penny from all the millionaires, Childcare would be free! – And housing! And food! But you would be broke, Mark,” another wrote.
“Should we vote on it? It would pass. Why is it always other people’s stuff socialists want to take??”
“Notice how it’s always a wealthy person telling others to pay more taxes, but they never pay themselves,” another person commented.
While the reaction on X was largely negative, Ruffalo received support in the comments section of his original Instagram post.
“Thank you for your compassion and leadership, Mark,” one supporter wrote. “Mark Ruffalo, I am so proud of you all the time, thank you,” another added.
“Thank you, Mark Ruffalo, for using your voice and influence for the right things,” another Instagram user commented.
“Hulk will forever be the strongest avenger, on set and off,” one fan wrote, as another added, “Mark, we love you.”
Some Instagram users also defended Ruffalo’s policy stance.
“We started taxing the rich in MA, and it’s been amazing,” one commenter wrote. “We have school meals for all kids, continuing education for those that want it, great healthcare, among other things. And instead of losing millionaires, we have more that moved here. It works!”
“The wealthy didn’t get rich in isolation,” another wrote. “Infrastructure, labor, and public systems built that wealth. Fair taxation is not punishment. It’s accountability.”
Last month, Ruffalo joined nearly 400 millionaires and billionaires in signing an open letter urging world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos to increase taxes on the ultra-rich.
The letter’s signatories included Disney heir Abigail Disney and British musician Brian Eno. The group argued that extreme wealth concentration harms democracy and deepens inequality.
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