10 Clueless Things Billionaires Have Said That Made Us Roll Our Eyes
Billionaires are often admired for their wealth and success, but sometimes (ahem, a lot of times), their words can be shockingly out of touch with the realities most people face. From dismissing the financial struggles of those less fortunate to making tone-deaf remarks about their own wealth, these clueless statements leave the rest of us rolling our eyes. Here are 10 quotes from billionaires that reveal just how disconnected they can be from the world outside of their elite bubbles.
1. Bernard Arnault: “As long as I’m not the richest man in the world, I won’t really be happy.”
Arnault — the luxury goods titan behind LVMH — made this eyebrow-raising comment during an interview. Despite having a net worth of over $170 billion, the French businessman’s greed is still insatiable. It also highlights just how out of touch he is with the realities of contentment and fulfillment compared to the average person.
2. Elon Musk: “We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it.”
Listen, Elon Musk acting like an absolute ogre wasn’t on my bingo card for 2024 — but here we are. In 2020, Musk made this remark on X (formerly Twitter) in reference to a coup in Bolivia, following discussions about mining lithium for electric car batteries. His flippant attitude toward a serious political and humanitarian issue shocked many, and underscored how detached some billionaires are from the ethical implications of global events.
3. Jeff Bezos: “You know, we humans, we’re really good at adapting to things like this.”
Bezos, the second richest man in America, made this comment about Amazon workers facing tough conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he profited massively during the crisis, workers voiced concerns about their health and safety. His lack of empathy highlighted a shocking divide between his boardroom and the risks that essential workers face every day.
4. Mark Zuckerberg: “Young people are just smarter.”
The founder and CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook) made this controversial statement during a startup event at Stanford University in 2007. “Why are most chess masters under 30?” he asked a bewildered audience as he dismissed the value of experience and wisdom by implying that intelligence is solely a youth-driven trait. For many, the remark reflected a limited perspective, given his own rise to success in his mid-20s. It also alienates older generations who are vital to many industries.
5. Gina Rinehart: “If you’re jealous of those with more money, don’t just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself.”
Rinehart, one of Australia’s richest women, made this ignorant remark about wealth inequality in an article she wrote for a magazine in 2012. In the piece, she also tells readers to quit “drinking, or smoking and socializing, and more time working.” Her comment was widely criticized as being tone-deaf in regards to the structural issues that limit economic mobility. It also conveyed a lack of understanding of the daily challenges and struggles faced by the working class.
6. Richard Branson: “My general attitude to life is to enjoy every minute. I never do anything with a feeling of, ‘Oh God, I’ve got to do this today’.”
While Branson’s sentiment about enjoying life might seem well-meaning, it rings hollow to those struggling to make ends meet. While many people are consumed with worries about bills and whether they’ll be able to feed their families, his carefree outlook can feel out of touch. The privilege of being able to enjoy life’s wonders is not something everyone can afford, sir.
7. Donald Trump: “Sorry losers and haters, but my I.Q. is one of the highest — and you all know it!”
The former president of the U.S. and current Republican candidate shared this declaration in 2013, which seemed more like a taunt than anything else. Rather than offering insight or wisdom, it revealed a fixation on status and self-image. “Please don’t feel so stupid or insecure, it’s not your fault,” he continued. Meanwhile, the man refuses to unveil any transcripts or report cards from his school days.
8. Jamie Dimon: “The board sets [my salary]. I have nothing to do with it.”
Dimon, the chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, made this comment during a 2019 interview with “60 Minutes” when asked about his $31 million salary. (Just pocket change, right?) Dimon defended his compensation, stating that “the board sets mine. I have nothing to do with it,” and added that the industry “shouldn’t vilify people who worked hard.” His remarks were widely seen as dismissive and condescending, as they reduce complex economic issues to a lack of effort.
9. Carlos Slim: “You don’t need to raise taxes on rich people, because they create capitalization and investment.”
The telecommunications billionaire has been criticized for supporting tax cuts for the rich while refusing to acknowledge the extreme poverty that plagues many parts of his native country, Mexico. His words seemed disconnected from the plight of many of his fellow citizens, and came off as tone-deaf to those struggling to meet basic needs.
10. Leon Cooperman: “The idea that fair share is a concept is just a way of attacking wealthy people.”
Cooperman, a billionaire hedge fund manager, made this controversial remark in response to calls for increased taxes on the wealthy. His dismissal of the idea that the rich should contribute more came across as defensive and out-of-touch with public sentiment. The comment also ignored growing concerns about wealth inequality and tax evasion by the ultra-rich. Plus, he said during an interview with Fox News that Donald Trump would be “better for his wallet if elected.” We rest our case.