'I Have Debt On $2.2 Billion Of Real Estate,' Says Grant Cardone. 'This Is Why People Hate Me'

April 18, 2026 - 18:30

Real estate investor Grant Cardone recently laid out a system he believes is fundamentally tilted in favor of large investors and admitted that his own success inside that system is exactly why he draws criticism.

“I have debt on $2.2 billion of real estate,” Cardone stated plainly. He argues that the U.S. tax code and banking system are designed to reward those who use significant leverage—borrowed money—to acquire income-producing assets. Key benefits he highlights include the ability to deduct mortgage interest and to use depreciation to offset taxable income.

“This is why people hate me,” Cardone conceded, recognizing that his public embrace of massive debt to build a portfolio appears reckless or unfair to many. He positions his strategy not as a gamble, but as a calculated use of available financial tools. His stance underscores a deep divide in investment philosophy, where leveraging bank loans to scale quickly is standard practice for institutional players but often viewed with skepticism by the general public.

Cardone’s comments have sparked renewed debate about wealth-building strategies and the perceived advantages within the current financial structure. He maintains that his approach is simply about understanding and utilizing the rules as they exist, a perspective that continues to generate both admiration and controversy.