14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this year, Hollywood actor Will Smith was just one of the many stars speaking in support of President Barack Obama’s proposition for bigger taxes for those with a higher income, such as celebrities. However, as the video above will show, he can talk the talk but would probably never walk the walk.
Today’s Viral of the Day dates from May this year when, on a visit to France, Will found out that in this country, President François Hollande was gunning for a similar move as Obama, taxing those who made over €1 million ($1.35 million) annually with 75% instead of 30%.
The irony is that, just moments before he finds this out, Smith is talking about how he’s proud to help his country “grow” by paying taxes.
“I have no issue with paying taxes and whatever needs to be done for my country to grow. I believe very firmly that my ability to sit here – I'm a black man who didn't go to college, yet I get to travel around the world and sell my movies, and I believe very firmly that America is the only place on Earth that I could exist. So I will pay anything that I need to pay to keep my country growing,” he says.
“Anything” in that last line is of vital importance especially since, only seconds later, the interviewer lets him know that “anything” in French is pronounced “75%.”
“75?!” Smith reacts. “Yeah, that's different, that's different. Yeah, seventeeeee-five. Well, you know, God bless America,” he adds.
It’s somewhat difficult to make out every word coming out of Smith’s mouth but the reaction on his face really says it all. He might blab a lot of how happy and proud he’d be to pay “anything” in taxes for his country but not if “anything” came even close to 75%.