Billionaire Sam Zell: "The one percent work harder"
Almost half of the world's wealth is now owned by just one percent of the population, according to a recent Credit Suisse report.
How does that happen?
Well, Billionaire real estate investor Sam Zell thinks one percent just works harder.
"The 1 percent are getting pummeled because it's politically convenient to do so," Zell said. "The problem is that the world and this country should not talk about envy of the 1 percent, they should talk about emulating the 1 percent. The 1 percent work harder, the 1 percent are much bigger factors in all forms of our society."
Zell was responding to the now-infamous comments by venture capitalist Tom Perkins. In a letter to the Wall Street Journal, Perkins wrote:
"I would call attention to the parallels of fascist Nazi Germany to its war on its 'one percent' namely its Jews, to the progressive war on the American one percent, namely the 'rich.'"
Perkins later apologized for comparing today's treatment of the wealthy to the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany.
But he's still standing by his message of class warfare.
OutFront: Democratic Strategist Paul Begala and Conservative Columnist Reihan Salam.
Two suspects released in Hoffman investigation
Those who loved and knew Philip Seymour Hoffman best gathered to pay their final respects to the Oscar winner at a wake here in New York City Thursday.
It was one of the first of the farewells for Hoffman. His funeral will be held Friday afternoon.
This comes five days after he was found dead of an apparent overdose with a needle still in his arm and bags of what is believed to be heroin in his apartment.
CNN is learning two of the people officers nabbed Tuesday night in connection with the drugs found in Hoffman's apartment are now out of jail.
Erin Burnett has the latest.
"Sleepwalker" statue stirs controversy at Wellesley College
A statue on the campus of Wellesley College is giving students the creeps, because it's not only strange to behold, it apparently has a predatory air to it. The hyper-realistic figure is part of an installation by artist Tony Matelli. It's called "Sleepwalker," and it's a guy, not exactly of college age, eyes closed and mouth open, lurching blindly toward something, while clad only in a pair of droopy underpants. It is also placed in a highly-trafficked area of campus.
Some women of Wellesley are less than pleased. One student started a petition on change.org to have the installation removed, calling the statue "a source of apprehension, fear, and triggering thoughts regarding sexual assault for some members of our campus community." Currently, the petition has 538 supporters.
Top Texas Republicans avoid Christie on fundraising trip: Is he toxic to the GOP?
Chris Christie's big test.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is in Texas trying to raise money for the Republican Governors Association (RGA).
The state is ground zero for big GOP money, but is the bridge scandal hurting the once golden governor?
The two top Republicans in Texas seem to think so. Neither Governor Rick Perry or the Republican nominee for governor are by Christie's side.
Perry isn't usually one to shy away from the cameras.
In Dallas Thursday, his entire schedule completely secret - behind closed doors.
OutFront is Steve Adubato, host of New Jersey Capital Report, and Ken Cuccinelli, former Virginia Attorney General and former Republican candidate for Governor of Virginia.
How much is Jay Leno worth?
After more than 20 years, Jay Leno will step off the Tonight Show stage for the second - and most likely - final time.
For more than two decades, Leno hosted the highest rated late-night show on television providing him with plenty of money and power.
Leno has interviewed everyone from politicians to celebrities.
Jay Leno's farewell: His best punchlines
OutFront: Chris Palmeri is an entertainment reporter with Bloomberg News.
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