Mark Ruffalo urges ‘tax the rich’ as he calls out Donald Trump

Mark Ruffalo has once again stepped into the political spotlight, using his platform to criticise Donald Trump while urging New York leaders to introduce higher taxes for billionaires and major corporations.

The Marvel actor shared a video message on Instagram calling on Kathy Hochul to support what he described as an affordability agenda. In the caption accompanying the clip, he wrote, "@govkathyhochul must Tax The Rich for a New York we can afford. They can handle it, trust me."

In the video itself, Ruffalo laid out his concerns about rising living costs. He said, “In New York, rent is crushing people. Childcare now costs over USD 20,000 a year on average. Trump’s policies keep making billionaires richer, while working families see cuts to essential services.” He argued that ordinary people were being left to shoulder the financial burden while the wealthiest continued to benefit.

Ruffalo also referenced a recent vote in which more than a million New Yorkers backed what he called an affordability agenda. He framed the issue as a clear choice for Hochul, saying she could either protect working families by taxing billionaires and corporations or allow cuts that would force everyday residents to pay more. He added, “Working people shouldn’t be the ones always stuck with the bill.”

The actor concluded his message by encouraging supporters to gather in Albany on February 25 to send what he described as a clear signal to state leadership. “Tax the Rich for New York that we can all afford. They can handle it. Trust me,” he said.

Critics, however, argued that celebrities should avoid political commentary and questioned whether Hollywood figures fully grasp the economic complexities involved. Despite the divided responses, Ruffalo’s post once again demonstrates how high profile entertainers continue to play a visible role in debates around taxation, affordability and federal policy.

As discussions over wealth inequality and public funding continue in New York and across the United States, Ruffalo’s call to tax billionaires adds another celebrity voice to an increasingly prominent national conversation.