Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was called out by environmental activist group Greenpeace ahead of his wedding to journalist Lauren Sánchez in Venice when the organization unfurled a giant banner criticizing him for not paying his fair share in taxes.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and regional governor Luca Zaia have defended Bezos’ lavish wedding celebrations, saying the event would provide a major economic boost to local businesses, including gondola operators and water taxi services. Zaia estimated the festivities could inject between 20 and 30 million euros ($23–$34 million) into the regional economy.
Bezos is also expected to make substantial charitable donations, including €1 million to Corila, a research consortium focused on preserving Venice’s fragile lagoon ecosystem, according to reports from Corriere della Sera and ANSA.
But protesters from Greenpeace Italy and the UK-based group “Everyone Hates Elon” unfurled a massive banner in Venice’s iconic St. Mark’s Square, featuring an image of Bezos laughing alongside the message:
“If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax.”
You can see the banner below.
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And here's footage of the moment the banner was unfurled.
Greenpeace's complaint about tax equity is not without merit.
For instance, a 2021 ProPublica investigation, based on IRS data, revealed that the 25 wealthiest Americans—including Bezos, Elon Musk, and Michael Bloomberg—paid little or no federal income taxes between 2014 and 2018. During that time, their combined net worth reportedly grew by $401 billion, while they paid just $13.6 billion in federal taxes.
Altogether, the investigation showed how billionaires such as Bezos have capitalized on tax code loopholes and a system that prioritizes taxing income over wealth.
Much of the wealth amassed by the ultra-rich—such as corporate stock holdings, luxury real estate, yachts, and other investments—is not classified as “taxable income” unless the assets are sold and a profit is realized. Even then, a range of tax breaks can dramatically reduce or entirely eliminate what they owe.
Many have echoed Greenpeace's criticism.
Greenpeace campaigner Clara Thompson said in a statement that "while Venice is sinking under the weight of the climate crisis, billionaires are partying like there is no tomorrow on their megayachts."
Thompson stressed that ultimately the protest against Bezos' wedding is not just about him, noting that "it's about changing the rules so no billionaire can dodge responsibility, anywhere."
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