Prince Harry’s lucrative $1 million salary at BetterUp may soon be in jeopardy as scrutiny over U.S. taxpayer funding intensifies.
Efforts led by Elon Musk and Donald Trump to eliminate wasteful government spending could put an end to the financial support BetterUp has received from the U.S. federal government. Since 2019, the company has reportedly received an astonishing $29 million in taxpayer dollars, but that funding may now be at risk. If this financial pipeline is finally cut off, it would be a long-overdue reckoning for an organization that many believe is undeserving of public money.
For those wondering where their hard-earned tax dollars are going, they might be shocked to learn that a portion has been funneled into BetterUp, helping to fund Harry’s hefty paycheck. The company presents itself as a champion of mental well-being and personal growth, but according to insiders, its internal culture tells a very different story. Whistleblowers claim BetterUp fosters a toxic work environment where employees are pushed to their limits and undervalued, contradicting the very mission it claims to uphold.
It is particularly striking that Harry, a man who once dismissed the First Amendment as “bonkers,” is earning a fortune from a U.S.-based company that profits from taxpayer dollars. Given that he doesn’t even reside in the United States, his substantial salary raises questions about how he justifies his role. The irony is hard to ignore—he is supposedly advocating for mental health while his own colleagues report experiencing a high-pressure, unhealthy work atmosphere. This situation highlights the problematic intersection of celebrity influence and corporate responsibility, a mix that increasingly seems to benefit the famous rather than the hardworking employees or the public.
Harry isn’t the only one profiting from this arrangement. BetterUp’s internal culture appears far removed from the supportive and empowering environment it advertises. Instead, employees describe it as a high-stress, target-driven workplace that leaves them feeling exhausted and underappreciated. One disgruntled former employee bluntly labeled it a “toxic train wreck.” Despite its claims of prioritizing mental well-being, BetterUp seems to be failing the very people it employs while securing millions in government funding.
Meanwhile, real crises continue to unfold across the United States. From devastating hurricanes and wildfires to the growing homelessness crisis in California, taxpayer money is desperately needed elsewhere. Yet, instead of addressing these urgent issues, funds have been funneled into a company that appears more concerned with image than impact. While Americans struggle with real hardships, Prince Harry enjoys a lavish lifestyle, sustained in part by this questionable financial arrangement.
Beyond merely collecting a paycheck, Harry’s actual contributions to BetterUp remain unclear. His title as Chief Impact Officer sounds impressive, but what does it entail? There has been little transparency about his duties, yet government funds have indirectly contributed to his salary. It seems his royal status and celebrity appeal make him the ideal figurehead for a company eager to enhance its credibility, even if it comes at the expense of American taxpayers.
This entire situation underscores how government funds can be misallocated while those in genuine need continue to suffer. As calls to cut wasteful spending grow louder, BetterUp finds itself in an increasingly precarious position. The era of unchecked taxpayer funding for questionable corporate ventures may finally be coming to an end. As for Harry, perhaps it’s time for him to step away from this arrangement and stop relying on American taxpayers to sustain his luxurious lifestyle.
