By Nathalie Voit
Some 44% of U.S. adults think they can achieve billionaire status one day. That number is even higher for crypto investors.
That’s according to The Harris Poll’s Americans & Billionaires survey, which found that more than 4 in 10 Americans think they have the tools at hand to become a billionaire in the future. The confidence for crypto shareholders jumps to a staggering 71%, the Harris Poll said.
At the same time, 40% of Americans say they hate billionaires. Six in 10 American adults want to become one.
The discrepancy between Americans’ admiration for billionaires and distaste for them stems from concerns over economic equality. While more than 6 in 10 U.S. adults believe billionaires make positive contributions to society, the economy, and innovation, a growing number of consumers believe billionaires should do more.
About 2 in 3 consumers say billionaires don’t pay their fair share of taxes. Fifty-eight percent of Americans believe billionaires’ activities contribute to nationwide inflation. The same share is resentful of billionaires’ wealth accumulation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To alleviate perceived unfairness, 47% of Americans suggest capping wealth. Two-thirds (66%) think those with extreme wealth should be taxed differently.
Almost half of Americans (46%) believe that billionaires make it harder to achieve their American Dream. That feeling is especially prevalent among young adults, with 59% of Gen Z respondents and 58% of millennials saying billionaires get in the way of their goals.
Seven in 10 Americans say billionaires have a responsibility to give back to society but aren’t doing enough to help. About 1 in 2 think the government should force billionaires to become philanthropically involved.
The survey results are a testament to America’s love-hate relationship with billionaires.
