Survey Finds 24% of Americans Press CEOs to Cut Prices as 23% Denounce Greed
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 31
Survey Finds 24% of Americans Press CEOs to Cut Prices as 23% Denounce Greed
1 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 31
Summary
A June survey of 1,001 registered voters found 24% want CEOs to make products more affordable, while 23% said executives should earn less, share wealth and stop being greedy.
Affordability dominated the findings: 41% named it the top concern, including 23% focused specifically on the cost of living, while 13% called for higher pay and 12% said CEOs are disconnected from ordinary life.
The frustration tracks broader household strain. Primerica found 71% of Americans say their income is not keeping pace with living costs, and food prices are up more than 20% since 2022.
The gap is sharpened by pay data: S&P 500 CEOs averaged $17.7 million in 2025, up 6%, versus $64,220 for a typical full-time U.S. worker in early 2026, up 3.4%.
The survey lands ahead of fall midterm elections, when cost-of-living pressures are already a political vulnerability; a CBS News poll found only 24% of voters trust Republicans and 36% trust Democrats on the issue.