Dutch historian Rutger Bregman recently offered his view to the attendees at Davos, “It feels like I’m at a firefighters’ conference and no one’s allowed to speak about water, right? … Just stop talking about philanthropy and start talking about taxes … We can invite Bono once more, but we’ve got to be talking about taxes. That’s it. Taxes, taxes, taxes. All the rest is bullshit in my opinion.”

When he was booked on Fox News, he told Tucker Carlson:

“The vast majority of Americans, for years and years now, according to the polls – including Fox News viewers and including Republicans – are in favor of higher taxes on the rich. Higher inheritance taxes, higher top marginal tax rates, higher wealth taxes. It’s all really mainstream.

But no one’s saying it at Davos, just as no one’s saying it on Fox News, right?

And I think the explanation for that is quite simple, is that most of the people in Davos, but also here on this channel, have been bought by the billionaire class. You know? You’re not meant to say these things.

So I just went there, and I thought, you know what, I’m just going to say it, just as I’m saying it right here on this channel.”

But Bregman didn’t get to say it on that channel. Carlson took exception with what he had to say and replied with insults. (“Why don’t you go fuck yourself, you tiny brain. And I hope this gets picked up, because you’re a moron. I tried to give you a hearing, but you were too fucking annoying.”)

After the video emerged, Carlson clarified the indulgence of his employer: “Whatever my faults or those of this channel, nobody in management has ever told us what positions to take on the air. Never. Not one time. We have total freedom here and we’re grateful for that.” 

Good to know that Fox News Channel’s rich on-air personalities are permitted to oppose higher marginal tax rates of their own volition.