A self-described wealthy Reddit user says the hostility toward rich people online has reached a point that is “mind boggling.” In a recent post, they wrote that he and his wife “live very, very nicely, but discreetly” and are not the villains many commenters make them out to be.
“We aren’t involved in grinding down the poor or oppressing anyone,” they wrote. “We pay high prices to tradesmen to give us good service – and we understand the trade-off.” They added that their main focus is raising good children and eventually giving away most of what they have so “it does some good.”
Don’t Miss:
Who Are People Really Angry At?
The post quickly drew hundreds of responses, and a theme emerged: many commenters said the anger online is not aimed at people like him.
“People are talking about billionaires and the oligarchs, not you,” one person replied. “Calm down.”
“Unless your net worth is over $500 million, you’re not the rich we’re angry with,” another added.
Still, others agreed with the original poster. They said Reddit skews young and financially stressed, and that resentment often masks envy. “It’s easier to hate those more competent and successful than them,” one commenter wrote, arguing that people prefer simple villains instead of messy economic realities.
Trending: This ETF issuer isn’t chasing the index — it’s building tools for income, leverage, and conviction
The original poster also addressed why wealthy people often socialize with others in similar income brackets. “In my case it is because my life, day to day, is vastly different from those with much less,” they wrote. “It’s easier to be among people who understand our lives and don’t judge us just for what we have.”
The Deeper Divide Over Inequality
Beneath the insults and sarcasm, the debate revealed deeper tension. Some commenters pointed to rising housing costs, student debt and wage stagnation as reasons anger is growing. Others said extreme wealth concentration can distort democracy and result in policies that favor the powerful.
See Also: You Saved for Retirement — But Do You Know What You’ll Keep After Taxes?
At the same time, several self-identified wealthy users acknowledged that the tax code benefits asset owners and that privilege plays a role in financial success. One wrote that wealth is “built on systems that actively extract value from others,” even if individuals do not intend harm.
Whether the anger is misdirected envy or justified frustration with systemic inequality likely depends on where someone sits in the income ladder.
Read Next: Build your own AI-powered index in minutes — and earn an uncapped 1% match when you move your portfolio to Public. Learn how it works.
Image: Imagn
