Donald Trump warns that a tax hike on the wealthiest Americans would drive them out of the country

President Trump said a tax on millionaires would be “disruptive” and drive them from the United States.

“A lot of the millionaires would leave the country. In the old days, they left states. They’d go from one state to the other. Now, with transportation so quick and so easy, they leave countries,” Mr. Trump said Wednesday.

“You’d lose a lot of money if you do that,” he said, adding that other countries that imposed a millionaire tax lost people.

Mr. Trump answered questions from reporters after signing several executive orders impacting education.

Republicans in Congress have mulled raising taxes on the country’s highest earners or creating a new bracket for millionaires and billionaires. The extra tax revenue would help fund other GOP priorities, including tax breaks for other Americans.

The idea drew unexpected interest from Republicans who typically eschew any tax increase, including Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland, who is chair of the hardline House Freedom Caucus.