12/23/2025
A majority of Americans now view billionaires as a threat to democracy, with 53% expressing that belief in the latest Harris Poll Americans and Billionaires Survey. That figure represents a notable rise from the same survey conducted last year.
Public attitudes toward wealth concentration are also shifting. The poll shows Americans are increasingly supportive of regulations on high net worth individuals, including limits on wealth accumulation. More than half of respondents said no individual should be allowed to hold more than $10 billion.
The survey further found strong backing for government action, with large majorities supporting a billionaire tax and mandatory philanthropy for those worth over $1 billion. Nearly all respondents acknowledged a significant wealth gap, driven largely by rising living costs, housing shortages, and tax advantages for corporations.
This growing skepticism coincides with heightened attention on billionaire influence in politics, particularly during the administration of President Donald Trump, who received substantial support from wealthy donors and appointed several billionaires to government positions.