Podcast Summary: EZRA LEVANT | Davos reveals how far Canada has drifted from press freedom

Podcast: Rebel News Podcast
Host: Ezra Levant
Date: January 23, 2026
Theme: Press freedom from a Canadian perspective, experiences at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and critical interviews with global figures.

Episode Overview

Ezra Levant and the Rebel News team share behind-the-scenes reflections from their reporting at the 2026 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Ezra uses these dispatches to draw stark comparisons between press freedom in Canada and abroad, and to challenge the secrecy and influence wielded by elites meeting in Davos. The episode is interspersed with street interviews, candid reactions from global leaders, and commentary on the Canadian government’s approach to media access.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reporting from Davos: The Grind and the Mission

• Ezra and Abi describe the daily routines, physical exhaustion, and the hurdles of chasing down global power players for impromptu interviews (00:31–03:50).
• Emphasizes the challenge and absurdity of having to travel halfway around the world to access Canadian government officials who avoid Rebel News at home.
• Ezra underscores the unofficial power of the WEF: ideas formed there echo worldwide, shaping government agendas through closed-door, unregistered meetings.

“It’s insane... we are not normal as a country. We have restrictions on our press that are not normal.”
—Ezra Levant (03:50)

2. Press Freedom: Contrasts Between Switzerland and Canada

• Ezra recounts an encounter with Swiss police after a tense street interview with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, highlighting how Swiss authorities respected his rights—unlike what would happen in Canada (04:49–05:49).

“I support freedom of speech. Do you? Yes, of course. Okay, good, then we’re friends.”
—Ezra Levant with Swiss police (04:49)

• Expresses envy and frustration at how Canadian police would have handled similar situations, stating arrests and charges would be likely back home.

3. Elite Access & Hypocrisy at the WEF

• The episode features hard-hitting, sometimes confrontational interviews (or attempted interviews) with figures like BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, whose “spirit of dialogue” slogans are contrasted with evasive non-answers and thick security (09:39–13:55).

• Memorable exchanges with Larry Fink:

  “What about the spirit of dialogue, sir? Did you mean it or was that another lie?”
  —Ezra Levant (09:47)

  “Why are your bodyguards such thugs? Sir, isn’t that the true Larry Fink?... Underneath it you’re a thug.”
  —Ezra Levant (10:55)

• Ezra presses Fink on ESG, DEI mandates, climate hypocrisy, and the acquisition of homes for profit—eliciting only silence or deflection from the billionaire.

• The team also attempts walk-and-talk interviews with UK PM Rishi Sunak and Brexit architect Nigel Farage, who both avoid substantive engagement.

4. Global Politics: U.S., Canada, and Responses to Trump

• Discussions with figures like Ian Bremmer (Eurasia Group) and unnamed U.S. officials cover the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Europe, Trump’s disruptive influence, and concerns regarding defense and trade (14:45–17:56).

• Ian Bremmer on U.S.-UK relations:

  “It’s a time for us to earn our money, it’s a time for us to get serious about what’s happening. And I’m regretfully [sure] there are no easy solutions.”
  —Ian Bremmer (15:27)

• Brian Bessen, a U.S. government figure, discusses solutions for Ukraine, U.S. interests in Greenland, and the expectation that Trump will challenge the “globalist elite order”—with special attention to Trump’s bragging rights after his past legal and political adversaries’ failed attempts to sideline him (19:15–23:23).

  “He’s going to throw a couple of thunderbolts... challenge the global, globalist elite order.”
  —Brian Bessen on Trump (22:09)

5. Canadian Politics and Press Freedom

• Ezra repeatedly returns to his concern: Why is it easier for Rebel News to confront Canadian cabinet ministers in Europe than in Canada?
• Critiques Mark Carney’s anti-American positioning and the state of Canada’s economy, military, and global standing (05:49–08:00).
• Suggests Liberal elites seek to leverage anti-American sentiment for electoral advantage.

6. Free Speech & Social Media: The European Challenge

• Matt Taibbi voices concerns about increasing censorship on digital platforms in Europe and efforts by EU authorities to regulate or punish tech companies like X (Twitter), as contrasted with stronger speech protections in the U.S. (29:28–30:09).

  “I don’t think that the bureaucratic oligarchs in the EU are ever going to stop until free speech is extinguished.”
  —Matt Taibbi (29:42)

7. University of Austin: A New Model for Higher Education

• Short interview segment about the University of Austin, highlighting its growth, commitment to intellectual freedom, and goals to become an alternative to establishment academia (24:51–26:44).

“The established institutions just failed so badly in the last 10 years that they all benefit from our kind of competition.”
—Patrick Courrielche (25:54)

8. Miscellaneous: Global Interactions

• Snippets of conversations with representatives from the Bank of Palestine about anti-terror compliance, and with various ambassadors and dignitaries, often in a light or sardonic tone.
• Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas makes a brief appearance reflecting on his interest in AI and technology in music. (30:09–30:45)

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• 03:50 – Ezra Levant on the abnormal restrictions on Canadian press.
• 04:49 – “I support freedom of speech. Do you? Yes, of course.” (Ezra and Swiss police)
• 09:47 – Confronting Larry Fink: “What about the spirit of dialogue, sir? Did you mean it or was that another lie?”
• 10:55 – “Isn’t that the true Larry Fink? ... underneath it you’re a thug.” (Ezra to Fink)
• 15:27 – “It’s a time for us to get serious... there are no easy solutions.” (Ian Bremmer)
• 22:09 – “He’s going to throw a couple of thunderbolts... challenge the global, globalist elite order.” (Brian Bessen on Trump)
• 29:42 – “...until free speech is extinguished. But you can count on the Americans to fight that every step of the way.” (Matt Taibbi)

Final Reflection

Ezra closes the episode reflecting on the exhausting but satisfying nature of real journalism at Davos. He points to the freedom and openness of access in Switzerland compared to Canada, laments the drift from press liberty at home, and encourages ongoing resistance against censorship and establishment hypocrisy.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:31–03:50 – Daily reporting life in Davos; Canadian press accessibility issues
• 04:49–05:49 – Swiss police and press freedom vs. Canada
• 09:39–13:55 – Street interview montage: Larry Fink, Rishi Sunak, others at WEF
• 15:05–17:56 – Geopolitical context and Trump’s impact discussed with Ian Bremmer
• 19:15–23:23 – U.S. official on Ukraine, Greenland, and Trump’s agenda
• 24:51–26:44 – University of Austin: vision for higher education
• 29:28–30:09 – Matt Taibbi on social media censorship in the EU
• 30:09–30:45 – Will.i.am and AI in music

Tone:
Critical, combative, unapologetically conservative, blending investigative grit with sardonic humor reflective of Rebel News’ house style.

Recommendation:
The episode is essential listening for those concerned with media freedom, Canadian politics, and who want to hear unvarnished interactions with global elites—delivered with a rebellious edge.