Tucker Carlson
President Donald Trump’s proposed budget calls for eliminating federal programs for the arts and humanities, including the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tucker Carlson says he is fine with these cuts because organizations like the NEA are essentially “welfare for rich, liberal elites.”
Robin Bronk, CEO of the Creative Coalition, joined Tucker tonight to debate the importance of federal funding for the arts.
Tucker asked her why taxpayers should be “subsidizing entertainment for rich people” in a time of budget deficits.
Bronk argued that the NEA – which takes up a tiny fraction of the federal budget – has given grants to every congressional district in the U.S., not just the rich ones.
She added that money put into the arts actually results in a strong financial return for communities.
“Why wouldn’t our government – our great nation – invest in something that brings back $10 for every dollar invested?” Bronk asked.
“Don’t you think it’s kind of funny that artists who are ‘against the grain’ and ‘thinking for themselves,’ all of a sudden they’re queuing up for their handouts from taxpayers?” Tucker asked. “Why wouldn’t artists just strike out on their own and be independent?”