Trending Now - Seattle Mayor's Controversial Farewell to Departing Millionaires Stirs Anger

WHO:

Fox News - Katie Wilson, Seattle's new mayor, described as a self-proclaimed socialist.

Fox News - Brandi Kruse, a conservative commentator who criticized Wilson's remarks.

Fox News - Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, who commented on the situation.

Fox News - Daniel Di Martino, a scholar at the Manhattan Institute, who also commented on the situation.

Fox News - Tim Young, a comedian who criticized Wilson's understanding of economics.

Fox News - Jonathan Chose, Senior Journalism Fellow at the Discovery Institute, who commented on the mayor's election.

WHAT:

Fox News - Mayor Katie Wilson waved goodbye to millionaires considering leaving Washington state over taxes during a forum at Seattle University.

Fox News - Wilson stated, "I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are like super overblown," and added, "And the ones that leave, like, bye," while laughing.

Fox News - Kruse's social media post about Wilson's comments was viewed over 4 million times.

Fox News - Wilson was elected Seattle's mayor after defeating incumbent Bruce Harrell.

WHERE:

Fox News - The forum where Wilson made her comments took place at Seattle University.

Fox News - Seattle, Washington, is the location of the mayor's remarks and the context of the millionaire exodus.

WHY:

Fox News - The comments were made in response to reports of millionaires leaving Washington state due to taxes and far-left policies.

HOW:

Fox News - Wilson's comments were made during a public forum, where she expressed her views in a light-hearted manner, which drew both laughter and applause from the audience.

(UPDATED May 2, 2026 01:24 UTC)

Seattle's new mayor, Katie Wilson, made headlines during a public forum at Seattle University by humorously dismissing concerns about millionaires leaving Washington state due to taxes, stating, "I think the claims that millionaires are going to leave our state are like super overblown," and adding, "And the ones that leave, like, bye." Her remarks sparked significant attention, with conservative commentator Brandi Kruse's social media post about the comments garnering over 4 million views. Wilson, who identifies as a self-proclaimed socialist, was elected after defeating incumbent Bruce Harrell, and her comments were made in response to ongoing discussions about the impact of far-left policies on wealthy residents.