University of California Regent Scott Galloway has voiced strong objections to the recent publication of a searchable database detailing homeowners subject to New York City's "pied-à-terre" tax. Galloway, a prominent media personality and entrepreneur, described his inclusion on the list as a "doxing" event.
In an appearance on the Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher, Galloway questioned the administration's motives for releasing the database. "The question I would have is, other than trying to identify and imply these people have done something wrong — and then, 18 months after a healthcare CEO was executed in the street, published the list — what is the upside here?" he asked, referencing the timing of the list's release.
The "pied-à-terre" tax, intended to generate revenue, targets owners of secondary residences in the city. The publication of the homeowner list by the administration, led by Zohran Mamdani, has drawn criticism for potentially exposing individuals and implying wrongdoing. Galloway's remarks highlight concerns about government transparency versus individual privacy in the context of new taxation policies. The situation also touches upon broader discussions about wealth and taxation, as alluded to by the "Eat the rich" sentiment often associated with such policies.