Mark Ruffalo, Abigail Disney urge leaders at Davos to ‘tax super rich’ in open letter

Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo, producer and Disney heiress Abigail Disney, and musician Brian Eno are among prominent signatories to a strongly worded open letter urging global leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos to impose higher taxes on the super rich, arguing that extreme wealth has hollowed out democracies and deepened global inequality.

The letter, released by Time To Win a campaign backed by Patriotic Millionaires (US, Canada and UK), Millionaires for Humanity and Oxfam—calls on political and economic leaders to act decisively in 2026 to “win back our future” by taxing extreme wealth.

“Decades of innovation have gone hand in hand with decades of inequality, environmental destruction, and wasted opportunity,” the letter states. It claims that the richest 1% now own more wealth than 95% of the world’s population combined, warning that society is “dangerously teetering off the edge of a precipice”.

Positioning themselves as part of the wealthy class demanding reform, the signatories argue that a small group of ultra-rich individuals have amassed disproportionate power. “A handful of global oligarchs with extreme wealth have bought up our democracies; taken over our governments; gagged the freedom of our media; placed a stranglehold on technology and innovation,” the letter says.

The campaigners contend that the consequences of extreme wealth concentration extend across generations, nations and communities, eroding public services, accelerating environmental breakdown and deepening social exclusion. “What we treasure, rich and poor alike, is being eaten away by those intent on growing the gulf between their vast power and everyone else,” the letter adds.

In a direct appeal to policymakers, including those attending Davos, the signatories say incremental change is no longer sufficient. “In 2026, we must do more than hope for a future we want. We must win it,” the letter reads, calling taxation of the super rich a “simple and effective solution” supported by both millionaires and the wider public.

“Stop squandering the time we have tax the super rich,” the letter urges, adding, “As millionaires who stand shoulder to shoulder with all people, we demand it.”

The signatories also frame the appeal as a democratic imperative, saying extreme wealth has translated into “extreme control” over political systems and public discourse. “We want our democracies back. We want our communities back. We want our future back,” the letter says.

“Tax us. Tax the super rich,” the letter concludes, calling on elected representatives at all levels to ensure that the next fifty years fulfil the promise of progress for everyone.