Political commentator Steve Hilton has criticized Rep. Ro Khanna’s proposed 5% California wealth tax, warning it could drive Silicon Valley founders, investors and top talent out of the state. Sharing a Stinchfield Tonight interview clip in an Aug. 19, 2026, post on X, Hilton called the measure an unconstitutional "asset seizure" and said about $1 trillion in wealth had already left California, costing the state billions in potential tax revenue. He argued that founders who are rich in company shares but short on cash could struggle to pay the levy, potentially damaging venture capital and the broader innovation economy. Billionaire Mark Cuban issued a similar warning, while Khanna said a broader billionaire wealth tax could raise $4 trillion over 10 years for child care, education, trade schools and expanded Medicare. Sen. Bernie Sanders said Mark Zuckerberg could owe about $10.5 billion under the proposed one-time tax, while supporters estimated it could raise $100 billion to offset federal cuts to Medicaid and food assistance.