Podcast Summary: Louder with Crowder
Episode: Live Reaction To Trump's WEF Speech: Trump Takes On Globalists in Davos
Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Steven Crowder
Notable Guest: Nick DePaolo
Episode Overview
This episode of Louder with Crowder offers a live and comedic breakdown of President Trump's recent speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Crowder and guests provide political commentary, satirical rants, and side discussions, focusing primarily on the contrast between Trump's "America First" approach and globalist policies championed by other Western leaders, specifically the Biden administration. The episode also explores themes of national sovereignty, the failures of globalism, the role of NATO, consequences of trade with China, and media hypocrisy.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Setting Up the Stakes: The "Rule of Contrast"
- Crowder frames the episode as a case study in contrast: the Biden vs Trump worldview, particularly as it pertains to globalism, the elites, and America's place in the world.
- The team promises a highlight reel from Trump’s Davos speech and comparative clips of world leaders’ behavior—with and without Trump present.
"Today is a rule of contrast. The Biden administration versus the Trump administration. How they approach globalism, how they approach the elites. It is a new era and I'm glad to be a part of it."
— Steven Crowder (00:41)
2. Globalism, Identity, and the WEF
- Crowder critiques globalist ideas, referencing his own conversion to conservatism after questioning "We are the World"-style unity and its moral contradictions.
- He lampoons current "woke" trends in health campaigns, using an example from the Welsh health ambassador, and mocks the focus on inclusivity language ("people who menstruate").
"That's why globalism is doomed to fail. Nation states are a good thing and they allow you to ally with other like minded nation states... We're never all going to share the same goals. That's called human nature."
— Steven Crowder (06:11)
- Nick DePaolo weighs in, observing the residual dominance of DEI-style thinking despite Trump changing the atmosphere.
"Trump came in and changed the atmosphere. But for the last, I don't know how many years... all those DEI, they're still in the system."
— Nick DePaolo (10:41)
3. Fact Checks and Media Narratives
- Crowder fact-checks Pam Grier’s childhood lynching story from The View, pointing out that the last Ohio lynching occurred before she was born and highlighting how media narratives sometimes prioritize empathy over factual accuracy.
"Feminism... the idea of empathy being a more important value than truth, than facts. So people go, 'well, that's her truth.' Okay. None of it is true."
— Steven Crowder (12:40)
4. Biden vs Trump: Two Paths at the WEF
a. Biden Administration Approach
- The episode features clips of Biden envoys emphasizing the need for "partners" and "global coordination" (21:33 - 22:11), with the hosts deriding this as appeasement and selfishness masked as virtue.
"They can't rely on solar and wind now. We need steady energy. So it really does just come down to their own selfish interests."
— Steven Crowder (22:11)
b. Trump Administration Approach
- Trump and his team—epitomized by voices like Scott Bessant (24:08)—advocate for putting America first, ending reliance on adversaries, and refocusing alliances around accountability. Trump’s message is that America will lead by defending its interests unapologetically.
“Globalization has failed the West and the United States of America. It’s a failed policy.”
— Trump representative (23:38)
- The hosts dissect how Trump’s numbers-based arguments put the burden of defense and spending squarely on NATO and European welfare states.
"Look at this. You've increased your social spending, your welfare state... and we're the ones making sure that you are safe."
— Steven Crowder (26:52)
5. On Dealing with China
- The hosts highlight the paradox of Western nations seeking strategic partnership with China, despite its record on human rights and aggressive economic behavior.
“China doesn’t have the best track record with human rights... They have at least around five and a half million people enslaved.”
— Steven Crowder (31:40)
- Crowder and Nick emphasize the folly of Europe’s net-zero targets that result in further dependence on China, the “battery makers.”
"If they go 2030, they are deciding to be subservient to China. Who makes the batteries? Why would you do that?"
— Nick DePaolo (32:48)
6. Hypocrisy of World Leaders: “Code Switching”
- The podcast plays back-to-back soundbites from leaders like Carney, who deride Trump in private but lavish him with praise face-to-face.
“Thank you for your hospitality and above all for your leadership. You're a transformational president...”
— Mark Carney, when Trump is present (38:35)
“But when we only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemon, we negotiate from weakness.”
— Mark Carney, when speaking to others (36:22)
- Crowder and Nick note:
"That's really sad that Canada doesn't have a man as a leader of their country. That's not a man." (39:55)
7. Analysis of Trump’s Davos Speech
a. Opening and Message
- Trump claims responsibility for an American economic turnaround, strong borders, and a more assertive U.S. lead.
“Our economy is booming. Growth is exploding... and the United States is in the midst of the fastest and most dramatic economic turnaround in our country's history.”
— Donald Trump (43:05)
- Crowder stresses the significance of such overt “America First” rhetoric, rarely seen since Reagan.
b. The Greenland Discussion (45:17 - 53:58)
- Trump lays out the history and strategic importance of Greenland, referencing WWII, Denmark’s inability to defend itself, and the U.S. acting as a benevolent superpower.
- He criticizes Europe and Denmark for not honoring their defense agreements, giving numbers on spending, and uses Greenland as emblematic of broader NATO freeloading.
“No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States.”
— Donald Trump (45:51)
“We literally set up bases on Greenland for Denmark. We fought for Denmark. We weren't fighting for anyone else... But how ungrateful are they now?”
— Donald Trump (46:23)
“We never asked for anything and we never got anything. We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force... but I won't do that.”
— Donald Trump (53:58)
- Crowder suggests the refusal to formally annex or impose on Greenland is an example of American benevolence, contrasting with how historical empires would have behaved.
c. On European Decline and “Globalist” Failures (55:03+)
- Trump blames government overspending, mass migration, and green energy initiatives for the decline of Europe.
“Certain places in Europe are not even recognizable, frankly anymore... In recent decades, it became conventional wisdom... that the only way to grow... was through ever increasing government spending, unchecked mass migration and endless foreign imports.”
— Donald Trump (55:03)
- Crowder underscores this as proof of elite hypocrisy, charting out scenarios that no normal person would accept (such as paying only 1% of one's mortgage).
8. Trump’s Signature Humor
- The episode ends with Trump’s characteristic quips in the speech, notably jabbing at Emmanuel Macron and Somali scammers.
“Emmanuel Macron. I watched him yesterday with those beautiful sunglasses. What the hell happened? We are cracking down on more than $19 billion in fraud that was stolen by Somalian bandits. Can you believe that? Somalia they turned out to be higher IQ than we thought.”
— Donald Trump (63:23)
Notable Quotes and Moments
- Steven Crowder [06:11]: “Nation states are a good thing and they allow you to ally with other like minded nation states. We're never all going to share the same goals.”
- Nick DePaolo [10:41]: “Trump came in and changed the atmosphere. But... all those DEI, they're still in the system.”
- Crowder Fact-Check [13:24]: “Pam Grier was born in 1949. The last lynching in Ohio was 1911... There were no lynchings ever recorded in Columbus, Ohio.”
- Biden Admin Montage [21:33 - 22:11]: “We have to have partners. We have to reimagine... our partnerships.”
- Trump Team [23:38]: “Globalization has failed... It is what the WEF has stood for, which is export, offshore, farshore. Find the cheapest labor... and the world is a better place for it.”
- Trump at Davos [43:05]: "Our economy is booming... growth is exploding... and the United States is in the midst of... the fastest and most dramatic economic turnaround in our country's history."
- Trump on Greenland [46:23]: "We literally set up bases on Greenland for Denmark. We fought for Denmark... But how ungrateful are they now?"
- Trump on Force [53:58]: "We never asked for anything and we never got anything... unless I decide to use excessive strength and force... but I won't do that."
- Macron/Somali Zinger [63:23]: "Emmanuel Macron. I watched him yesterday with those beautiful sunglasses. What the hell happened? We are cracking down on more than $19 billion in fraud that was stolen by Somalian bandits..."
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction/Rule of Contrast: [00:41]
- Globalism and Health Campaign Riff: [06:11]
- Fact-Checking Pam Grier: [13:24]
- Biden Admin’s Approach at WEF: [21:33 - 22:11]
- Trump Team’s WEF Argument: [23:38 - 26:52]
- The World on China (EU, Carney): [30:23 - 34:35]
- Carney on/with/without Trump: [36:22 - 39:55]
- Trump’s Opening Speech, America First: [43:05]
- Trump's Greenland Case: [45:17 - 53:58]
- European Policy Critique (“Europe Destroying Itself”): [55:03+]
- Trump Notable Zingers: [63:23]
Final Thoughts
This episode doubles as both political theater and pointed critique, using humor and selective examples to sharply highlight what Crowder sees as the utter failure of globalism and the hypocrisy of its champions. Trump’s Davos speech is celebrated as a stark—almost revolutionary—reassertion of national sovereignty, economic self-interest, and unapologetic leadership, and the hosts view Trump's tone and facts as a necessary recalibration in world affairs.