A troubling survey reveals that approximately 40% of Americans aged 18 to 29 believe “citizens taking violent action against the rich” is sometimes justified, according to the Cato Institute’s 2025 Fiscal Policy Survey. The survey’s findings reflect a growing generational divide on attitudes toward wealth and class struggle, with younger Americans increasingly inclined to justify violence against wealthy individuals.
The Cato Institute's survey, which included 2,000 respondents with a margin of error of ±2.41%, found a significant generational shift in opinions. Among the 45-54 age group, only 14% agreed with the statement that violent action against the rich could be justified. Meanwhile, 29% of respondents in the 30-44 age group held similar views, and the highest percentage—40%—was seen in the 18-29 age group.
This shift comes as part of a broader societal and cultural trend, one that reflects an increasing resentment toward wealth inequality. Figures like Luigi Mangione, the accused murderer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, have even garnered a cult following among certain segments of society. Mangione’s supporters and others like him see wealthy individuals as symbols of systemic exploitation, and in some cases, their violent actions are celebrated rather than condemned.
In recent months, the murder of Wesley LePatner, a senior executive at Blackstone, was similarly met with online adulation from certain factions. For some, these figures—Thompson and LePatner—are no longer seen as individuals, but as representatives of the capitalist elite, epitomizing everything wrong with the financial system. The phrase "eat the rich" has become more than just a slogan; it is seen as a battle cry for those frustrated by the growing wealth gap and stagnant economic opportunities.
For younger generations, particularly Millennials, economic frustration is a central theme. Many have grown up under the weight of crushing student debt, stagnant wages, and housing costs that are out of reach for the average person. Where Gen Xers had the expectation that hard work would allow them to climb the economic ladder, Millennials are faced with a far more difficult reality. This shift in expectations has bred a moral system that often views wealth as something inherently tied to exploitation, rather than hard work or merit.
Despite the narrative of financial hardship among young people, some of the survey results reveal surprising contradictions. For instance, 21% of individuals with a family income above $150,000 per year agreed that violence against the rich could be justified. This raises questions about how different people perceive wealth and what they consider to be “rich.” Does a $150,000 annual income equate to wealth in their minds, or are they measuring success by the likes of Jeff Bezos or other ultra-wealthy figures?
The survey also highlighted other groups where support for the idea of violent action against the wealthy was notably high, including 40% of atheists, 42% of agnostics, and 51% of students. Interestingly, 54% of those who identified as “very liberal” and 55% of Muslims also agreed with the sentiment. Meanwhile, 77% of Hindus expressed similar views, although the sample size for this group was small, with only 12 respondents.
This survey underscores a stark cultural and ideological divide in America, particularly between younger generations and older ones. While the rise in support for violent actions may seem extreme, it reflects broader dissatisfaction with the current economic system and a sense of injustice surrounding wealth distribution. Whether this growing sentiment will result in more violent actions or merely fuel further cultural polarization remains to be seen. However, it is clear that the debate over wealth inequality, privilege, and class struggle is intensifying across the country.
