Dutch historian Rutger Bregman claimed that Fox News host Tucker Carlson called him “an asshole” after a Monday interview for Carlson’s show that did not air.
Bregman, a published author on topics covering history, philosophy and economics, tweeted that Carlson called him a “f—ing moron” during the prerecord for the interview for “pointing out that he’s a millionaire funded by billionaires.”
{mosads}The author said that when he asked about when the segment would be aired on “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” he was sent an email with a message purportedly from Carlson calling him “an asshole.”
“The below is a message from Tucker Carlson directly: ‘I loved what you said at Davos, so I had high hopes for our interview. But you turned out to be far dumber, more dogmatic and less impressive than I expected. You’re [a] professional academic, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but it was still disappointing. Also, for what it’s worth, you’re an asshole.’ ”
Bregman on Tuesday took to Twitter to ask Carlson why the interview was not aired.
“Couldn’t handle the criticism?” Bregman wrote. “I think you should just show it. And try to resist the temptation to edit, I’ve recorded the full thing – including that moment when you start swearing profusely.”
Justin Wells, senior executive producer for “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” said in a statement to The Hill that the segment was pulled because Bregman launched a “calculated personal insult campaign.”
“Tucker is someone who appreciates many points of view,” Wells said. “Sadly, the guest turned an opportunity to have a substantive, informative discussion into an obviously calculated personal insult campaign. We were disappointed in the segment and respect our audience’s time too much to consider airing it.”
The historian went viral last month for calling out billionaires at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, accusing them of not paying their fair share of taxes.
Bregman called out tech billionaire Michael Dell by name over Dell’s criticism of a proposed 70 percent marginal tax rate on the top earners in the U.S., a proposal presented by progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
Dell had asked at another Davos panel for someone to name a single country where a top tax rate that high has worked.
“I’m a historian — the United States,” Bregman said as an answer to Dell’s question. “That’s where it has actually worked. In the 1950s, during Republican President Eisenhower, you know, the war veteran. The top marginal tax rate in the U.S. was 91 percent for people like Michael Dell. The top estate tax for people like Michael Dell was more than 70 percent.”
Bregman said solving inequality was “not rocket science.”
“We can talk for a very long time about all these stupid philanthropy schemes. We can invite Bono once more. But come on,” Bregman said. “We’ve got to be talking about taxes. Taxes, taxes, taxes. All the rest is bullshit in my opinion.”
The NowThis video of Bregman’s panel has been viewed more than 8 million times as of Tuesday.