Billie Eilish Debunks Billionaire Charity

By Robert Reich

Published March 22, 2026 at 3:38 PM PDT

Billie Eilish recently asked a room full of billionaires, “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?”

One reason? Their wealth keeps growing, yet many of them are giving less to charity now than they have in years.

Billionaire philanthropy is a sham.

Listen above or watch below.

Billie Eilish Debunks Billionaire Charity

Short Takes with Robert Reich

Robert Reich

Robert B. Reich is Professor of Public Policy emeritus at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He has served in three national administrations, including as secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton, for which Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century.

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