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US President Donald Trump, US Ambassador to Greece<\/a> Kimberly Guilfoyle, Greek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis, and his wife Margo Catsimatidis react during a Greek Independence<\/a> Day celebration in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, March 26, 2026. Credit: EPA\/WILL OLIVER \/ POOL via AMNA<\/p>\n Greek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis found himself at the center of New York\u2019s deepening fight over wealth taxes after activists staged a protest outside his Upper West Side home.<\/p>\n The rally, organized by Citizen Action of New York, a group aligned with the socialist wing of the Democratic Party, centered on calls for a two percent tax on billionaires living in the state. Protesters argue that the measure would help fund free healthcare<\/a>, childcare, and other public benefits.<\/p>\n According to activists, the proposal reflects campaign promises made by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. State leaders are urged to move quickly, as budget negotiations have entered a critical stage.<\/p>\n Catsimatidis joins discussion in person<\/p>\n Catsimatidis stepped outside his residence and spoke directly with demonstrators, accompanied by a journalist from WABC radio. The exchange remained measured, even as both sides sharply disagreed over taxation, inequality, and the role of wealth in public life.<\/p>\n Protesters chanted and voiced anger over what they describe as deep structural unfairness, arguing that powerful economic interests wield disproportionate influence over political decision-making.<\/p>\n One demonstrator said the state budget would be decided within weeks and warned that 500,000 people could lose health insurance while another 200,000 could go hungry. The protester argued that New York has the means to prevent that outcome but only if it taxes the rich more aggressively.<\/p>\n Protesting at the home of Greek American billionaire John Catsimatidis on Manhattan\u2019s Upper West Side amid New York\u2019s escalating tax debate. Credit: Wikimedia Commons \/ Mr. Catsimatidis \/ Public Domain Catsimatidis responded by portraying himself as a businessman committed to the city and its communities. He said he wanted to help New York<\/a> and pointed to his support for children in Harlem. As the discussion shifted to African-American communities, Catsimatidis asserted that 90 percent of employees at his supermarkets come from minority backgrounds.<\/p>\n The possibility that wealthy residents might leave New York if taxes rise significantly also surfaced during the exchange. While some billionaires have publicly suggested they could relocate under a harsher tax regime, Catsimatidis<\/a> struck a different tone, saying he actually did not want anyone at all to leave the state. \u201cI love New York,\u201d he said, adding that he had made the same point to the mayor.<\/p>\n Pressure builds on Kathy Hochul ahead of budget approval<\/p>\n![\"Greek](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/greek-american-catsimatidis-credit-wikimedia-commons-catsimatidis-public-domain.jpg\"\/)
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\nGreek-American billionaire John Catsimatidis responds to protesters\u2019 claims<\/p>\n