Socialite Shunned by Wealthy Friends After Exposing Tax Evasion Secrets

A Wealthy Socialite’s Bold Stand Against Tax Evasion

Julie Macklowe, a prominent figure in New York’s elite social circles, has found herself at the center of a heated debate over tax policy. As a successful entrepreneur and wife of a property developer, Macklowe has long been part of the city’s high society. However, her recent decision to publicly support a progressive tax policy has led to significant backlash from her peers.

Macklowe, who owns a $20 million Central Park penthouse and a $65 million home in Aspen, took a stand by endorsing Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to impose higher taxes on second homes valued at $5 million or more. This move was seen as a major victory for Mamdani’s push to “tax the rich” and address what he views as unfair advantages enjoyed by the wealthy.

In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Macklowe expressed her frustration with the current system, stating, “I am done watching people otherwise identical to me enjoy this city free.” Her words sparked immediate reactions, not only from the public but also from her own social circle.

The Fallout from Speaking Out

After publishing her op-ed, Macklowe reported that many of her longtime friends began to distance themselves. She recounted an incident at the Topping Rose House Hotel in the Hamptons, where she said her friends ignored her presence. “They saw me and, like, kept walking,” she recalled.

Macklowe also revealed that some of her former friends had been avoiding taxes by listing their New York addresses as nonprimary residences while paying taxes in states like Florida. She criticized this practice, noting that these individuals often spend 170 days a year in New York but pay no taxes there. “I could have an extra $100 million mansion in Palm Beach too if I paid no New York taxes,” she said.

The backlash from her community intensified after the op-ed was published. Macklowe received numerous “very unfriendly texts” from close friends in Florida, and she described the experience as emotionally taxing. However, not all reactions were negative. Some members of the New York elite secretly supported her, including a woman at her golf club who whispered, “I agree with you about everything,” after the op-ed was released.

The Origins of the Op-Ed

Macklowe’s decision to write the op-ed came after a conversation during a dinner party hosted by former politician and businessman Andrew Stein. She joked that she started discussing the tax policy after filmmaker Woody Allen appeared to drift off during the event. James Taranto, an editor at the Wall Street Journal, suggested she write about her views for the publication.

After spending the night drafting her thoughts, Macklowe submitted her piece the following morning. Within a day, it was published, and she received a flood of messages from acquaintances in Florida. Rather than engaging in heated debates, she encouraged them to post their comments online, saying, “If you have such a strong view, here’s the link and go post your comments.”

Reactions from the Wealthy Elite

Macklowe’s stance has not gone unnoticed by other wealthy figures. Billionaire and Citadel CEO Ken Griffin threatened to withdraw from a Midtown construction project after Mayor Mamdani posted a video advocating for the tax outside his home. Griffin later stated that he planned to invest more in Florida, calling it an “immediate and direct consequence of the mayor’s poor decision.”

Jeff Bezos, when asked about the tax in May, gave a lukewarm response, calling it a “fine thing to do.” Despite the backlash, Macklowe has remained steadfast in her position.

A Nonpartisan Stance

Macklowe emphasized that her support for the tax policy is not rooted in partisan politics. She clarified, “This isn’t a Republican or a Democrat thing. It is that people are getting a free ride off those who choose to live here and be New Yorkers, and the others pop in and pretend they are New Yorkers but don’t actually pay any significant taxes.”