Mark Ruffalo Calls Newsom's Stance on the California Billionaire Tax 'Disqualifying'
The actor attacked the governor from the left over his opposition to a 5% wealth tax, as California voters face two competing ballot measures on Nov. 3.
A Hollywood liberal is hitting California's Democratic governor from the left over a tax that conservatives and some business leaders say would drive wealth out of the state.
Actor Mark Ruffalo wrote on X that it is "beyond sad" and "disqualifying" for anyone with higher-office ambitions to fight to keep billionaires from being taxed "while kids don't have health insurance and the cost of living goes sky-high." Fox Business says he made the remarks Friday while reposting criticism from Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who backs the tax and objected to Gov. Gavin Newsom's support for a rival measure. He told Newsom, "we aren't looking for the Democratic version of Trump," and accused the governor of repeatedly siding with "corporate interests" over ordinary Californians.
The two measures, as Fox Business describes them:
Proposition 40 would impose a one-time tax equal to 5% of net worth on billionaires who were California residents on Jan. 1, 2026. It would be due in 2027, with payments spread over five years at added cost. Real estate, pensions and retirement accounts generally would be excluded. The California Democratic Party has endorsed it.
Proposition 42, which Newsom supports, would bar the state from creating new taxes on the ownership of financial assets and other personal property, and certain retroactive taxes. If approved, Fox says, it could stop Prop. 40 from taking effect. Khanna's post included a Newsom-backed ad urging a "yes" vote on 42.
Where the opposition comes from. Fox notes billionaire Mark Cuban has spoken out against the wealth tax. California entrepreneur Eric Schiffer, who previously spoke to Fox Business, warned of "a giant sucking sound of all of these entrepreneurs being sucked out of California."
The takeaway for readers: the fight over the wealth tax is not only Democrats against Republicans. It is dividing Democrats, and Newsom, who has been discussed as a possible 2028 presidential candidate, is taking fire from his own side. Fox Business says it asked Newsom's office for comment. The report does not include a response.