Democrat presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren recently launched an anti-billionaire campaign which, given her past pocketing millions of dollars in legal fees from billionaire corporations, is wonderfully hypocritical. and made even better considering Warren is a multi-millionaire herself.
Warren’s ad aired on CNBC Thursday and criticized several billionaires — Leon G. Cooperman, hedge fund manager, Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade, Lloyd C. Blankfein, former chief executive of Goldman Sachs, and Peter Thiel.
More from the NYT:
In a new TV ad, Ms. Warren singles out a series of billionaires who have spoken out against her, showing footage of them and repeating her call for a wealth tax on the fortunes of the richest Americans.The ad, set to air Thursday on CNBC in New York City and Washington, is the latest volley in the back-and-forth between Ms. Warren and the country’s billionaires — or at least an outspoken handful of them who have criticized her publicly. And it comes as Michael R. Bloomberg, the billionaire and former New York City mayor, is preparing to enter the presidential race.
“It is time for a wealth tax in America,” Ms. Warren says in the ad, which shows her speaking at a recent town hall event. “I’ve heard that there are some billionaires who don’t support this plan.”
Then the ad gets specific, identifying four billionaires and helpfully informing viewers of their estimated net worth. First is the hedge fund manager Leon G. Cooperman, who has publicly sparred with Ms. Warren (his estimated net worth: $3.2 billion).
“The vilification of billionaires makes no sense to me,” he is shown saying in the ad. “It’s bull.” Then this flashes onscreen: “Charged with insider trading.” (The Securities and Exchange Commission sued Mr. Cooperman and his firm, Omega Advisors, in 2016; he and the firm settled in 2017.)…The ad closes with Ms. Warren asking the richest Americans to “pitch in two cents,” along with a list of social programs that could be funded with the revenue from her proposed wealth tax. Ms. Warren wants to impose an annual tax of 2 percent on net worth above $50 million, and 6 percent above $1 billion. She would use the revenue to fund proposals like universal child care, free public college and student debt cancellation, as well as to help pay for “Medicare for all.”
Watch:
Lloyd Blankfein quickly fired back, jabbing at Warren’s Cherokee heritage claims:
Even Bill Gates criticized Warren’s soak the rich plan.
Warren’s campaign is committed to the schtick and is selling a “Billionaire Tears Mug” on their website for a paltry $25. For a mug. A $25 mug.
Legal Insurrection and Professor Jacobson in particular, have extensively covered Warren’s past, including her work to limit Dow Chemical’s liability to breast implant victims. Warren made bank representing a big, evil corporation over the interests of the regular gal. More here.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY
