Sen. Bernie Sanders took aim at several tech billionaires on X, charging that they are spending tens of millions to kill a proposed wealth tax in California rather than contributing equitably to federal coffers. The Vermont independent singled out Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google, along with Larry Ellison, Eric Schmidt, Peter Thiel and Bill Ackman.

In a lengthy post Thursday, Sanders shared photos detailing the net worth and major assets of the individuals he named. Their combined fortunes exceed hundreds of billions of dollars, according to the images. “The billionaire class is on the warpath against working families,” Sanders wrote. “They want more and more, and they will not be satisfied until they have it all.”

He continued: “Instead of spending tens of millions on ads against a wealth tax, we have a better idea: Start paying your fair share of taxes.” The post arrived as California voters prepare to decide on Proposition 35, a measure that would impose a 1.0% tax on unrealized gains for those with more than $1 billion in wealth and 0.4% on those with more than $50 million. Opponents, including the named billionaires and their affiliated groups, have donated heavily to the ‘no’ campaign, records from the California Secretary of State show.

Sanders’ comments drew swift pushback on X. One user noted that the top 1% of taxpayers shoulder over 40% of all federal income taxes. “Bernie is just a fraudster — and a multi-millionaire,” the post read. Another defended the billionaires’ ownership stakes. “All these billionaires own less than half of their companies,” it stated. “That means they have created at least as much wealth for other people as they have made for themselves. The investors in these companies are institutions and pension funds that hold the retirement and savings of hard-working Americans.”

The wealth tax debate has intensified in recent months. Proponents argue it would generate billions for public services like affordable housing and education without raising rates on ordinary Californians. Critics, including many economists, warn it could drive high earners out of state and complicate valuations of illiquid assets such as stock holdings. Musk, who recently relocated Tesla’s headquarters to Austin, Texas, has publicly criticized high California taxes.

Sanders has long championed higher taxes on the ultra-wealthy. In 2024, he introduced legislation for a 1% annual wealth tax on fortunes above $10 million. His latest salvo highlights ongoing tensions between progressive lawmakers and Silicon Valley titans, many of whom back Republican causes or libertarian policies. Zuckerberg’s Meta has spent over $5 million opposing the measure, according to campaign finance filings. Similar amounts came from entities linked to Brin, Page and others.

California’s ballot fight serves as a test case for national tax policy. If approved, Prop 35 would take effect in 2026 and sunset after 2030 unless extended. Polls show a tight race, with support hovering around 50%. Sanders’ post, viewed millions of times within hours, amplified the controversy just weeks before Election Day on Nov. 5.