Podcast Summary: Rebel News Podcast – EZRA LEVANT | I think Trump is going to topple the Venezuelan dictator

Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Ezra Levant (Rebel News)
Guest: Franco Tarazano (Canadian Taxpayers Federation)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on Ezra Levant’s prediction that the United States, under Donald Trump, is poised for decisive action to topple Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Levant explores the military and political context behind the mounting U.S. pressure, and particularly the role oil may play in U.S. intentions. In the second half, the podcast pivots into a critique of Canadian government subsidies to corporations, featuring an interview with Franco Tarazano, and concludes with listener letters discussing energy and government policy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Buildup off Venezuela (00:00–05:55)

• Prediction: Ezra Levant makes a strong prediction that Trump will seek regime change in Venezuela within days, describing a massive U.S. naval and air force presence off Venezuela’s northern coast.

  • “I am certain that Donald Trump is going to invade… Not invade in the traditional sense of 100,000 men and tanks, but I think they're going to try and topple Nicolas Maduro.” (00:00; Ezra Levant)

• Evidence of Action:

  • Cites U.S. military deployment, including the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, troop numbers (10,000–15,000), and Puerto Rico’s recommissioned air force base.
  • Notes reports and images of fighter jets and heavy equipment moving into the region, framing it as an operation rather than a drill.

• Maduro’s State of Mind:

  • Shares observations of Maduro’s public remarks (Spanish snippet included) and interprets them as evidence of nervousness and weakness (“guns with no bullets”).
  • “He’s mobilized grassroots defense… I noticed that there were no bullets in those guns.” (05:03; Ezra Levant)

• Speculation About Amnesty and U.S. Offers:

  • Claims Maduro asked Trump for amnesty in exchange for surrender, and Trump refused—a surprise to Levant, who saw Trump as a "deal maker".

2. The "War on Drug Boats" and Legal Justification (05:55–11:43)

• Operational Details:

  • Describes ongoing U.S. operations targeting drug smuggling vessels off Venezuela. Levant questions the need for such a large force for this task.

• Legal Framework:

  • Discusses Trump’s declaration of drug cartels as terrorist organizations, drawing historical parallels to piracy and terrorism (hostis humanae generis).
  • Critiques left-wing opposition to the U.S. tactic of destroying drug boats and draws parallels with Obama-era drone strikes.
  • “Trump legally declared them terrorists and there is no rule that you can’t shoot a terrorist.” (11:28; Ezra Levant)

• Summary Judgement:

  • Expresses frustration with legalistic opposition, stressing that legal process is minimal for "enemies of all mankind."

3. The Venezuelan Crisis and International Dynamics (11:43–13:12)

• Economic Collapse:

  • Details the humanitarian crisis, citing widespread malnutrition (average Venezuelan lost 24 pounds), blaming socialism and the nationalization of the oil industry.
  • “Incredibly, you put the government in charge of oil in Venezuela, the largest oil reserves in the world, and they're running out of oil.” (10:44; Ezra Levant)

• Political Isolation:

  • Notes Venezuela's waning international support:
    • Russia distracted by Ukraine war
    • Iran diminished by losses in the Middle East
    • Cuba unable to assist due to its own crisis
    • China reluctant to get involved

4. U.S. Tactics and the "Oil Factor" (13:12–17:21)

• Predicted Strategy:

  • Suggests the U.S. will use "surgical" interventions—special ops or CIA, regime decapitation—rather than large-scale invasion.
  • Draws analogy to previous U.S./Israeli tactics elsewhere (e.g., Iran’s nuclear program, Israel’s "decapitation" strikes).
  • “I think you'll see regime change, not really nation building. You're not going to see the mass occupation of the country with Americans like you had in Iraq.” (14:24; Ezra Levant)

• Oil as Motive and Outcome:

  • Argues oil wasn’t the initial motivation, but will determine the outcome: return of U.S. oil companies looking to revive Venezuelan production.
  • Compares to Trump’s business style in foreign policy (Abraham Accords, Gaza, Ukraine reconstruction).

• Implications for Canada:

  • Warns that Canada, distracted by domestic oil debates, could lose U.S. market share to revived Venezuelan oil output.

Notable Quote

• “I hate to use a left wing cliché, ‘no war for oil.’ And I don't think oil is what sparked this, but I think that will be the final outcome.” (14:47; Ezra Levant)

[17:21–28:49] Segment: Corporate Welfare in Canada – Interview with Franco Tarazano

Auto Plant Investments and Canadian Subsidies

• Stellantis Case:

  • Ezra plays audio of Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa praising Trump and announcing $13B in investment in U.S. auto plants, noting the irony that Canadian subsidies appear to fund foreign expansion (17:21–19:42).

• Corporate Welfare Critique:

  • Franco Tarazano: Blames Canadian politicians for handing subsidies to multinational firms (“business boondoggles”), not the companies for taking advantage.
    • “The politicians… are answerable to Canadian taxpayers… they are turning around and handing buckets of cash to these multinational corporations.” (19:42; Franco Tarazano)

• Toby Lutke’s (Shopify) Open Letter:

  • Ezra shares an excerpt from Shopify CEO Toby Lutke’s letter criticizing subsidies for foreign competitors, warning it harms Canadian tech companies.
    • “What you're actually doing here is to bribe Nokia to put these jobs into Canada by paying hundreds of thousands of dollars per job from taxpayer money.” (22:53; Read by Ezra Levant)

• Comparative Policy Analysis:

  • Tarazano argues Canada’s uncompetitive tax/regulatory system is driving investment south, not lack of government handouts.
  • References capital gains tax increases targeting Canadian entrepreneurs as counterproductive, juxtaposed with government claims of supporting tech.

Concerns Over Canada's Economic Future

• Fear of major companies like Shopify relocating to the U.S. for tax and regulatory reasons.

• “At a certain point, it’s not about love or sentimentality or nostalgia. It’s about what’s best for shareholder interests.” (27:36; Ezra Levant)

• Both express frustration that Canada, with so many resources and talented people, isn’t more prosperous, attributing blame to government policy strangling the private sector.

Listener Letters & Closing Thoughts (31:29–33:44)

Letter 1: Carbon in Steel

• Letter writers raise technical questions about government mandates for low-carbon steel and the risks involved, highlighting ideological policy over market-driven innovation.

Letter 2: “Scaling Capital”

• Dissects Canadian public figure Mark Carney’s rhetoric on “scaling capital,” equating it to taxpayer-funded handouts to companies.

• Ezra’s tone: Consistently skeptical of government “transformative” investments, seeing them as jargon and “baffle gab.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On U.S. Action Against Venezuela (00:00):

  • “I really think Donald Trump is going to topple Nicholas Maduro, the head of Venezuela. I think it could actually happen as soon as this weekend.” (01:16; Ezra Levant)

• On Socialism’s Failure in Venezuela:

  • “If you put the government in charge of the Sahara Desert, they’d run out of sand. Incredibly, you put the government in charge of oil in Venezuela… and they're running out of oil.” (10:44; Ezra Levant)

• On Corporate Welfare (22:53):

  • (Reading Toby Lutke's letter)
    “What this does is to lower the cost basis of Nokia per employee… This situation that very often arises is it’s strictly worse inside of Canada to be a Canadian company compared to a company headquartered everywhere else…” (24:30; Ezra Levant)

• On Regulatory Burden and Loss of Talent:

  • “I hate to predict it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this great company Shopify moves to Austin, Texas or Miami. That’s where all the tech companies are.” (27:36; Ezra Levant)

• On Potential Outcomes for Canada (28:49):

  • “We should be the freest, most prosperous country in the entire world—and we could be… Our biggest problem is the federal government is government regulations, right? Strangling our natural resource sector…” (28:49; Franco Tarazano)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Venezuela Conflict & U.S. Moves: 00:00–14:47
• Oil, Canada, and U.S. Foreign Policy: 14:47–17:21
• Corporate Welfare & Stellantis Case: 17:21–22:53
• Toby Lutke’s Letter & Canadian Tech Industry: 22:53–28:49
• Prosperity and Policy in Canada: 28:49–31:13
• Listener Letters: 31:29–33:44

Tone and Style

• The episode maintains Ezra Levant’s signature direct, critical, and sometimes sardonic tone.
• The discussion is opinion-laden, with strong criticism toward socialism, left-leaning politicians, and government intervention in the economy.

Conclusion

This episode offers Levant’s provocative take on impending regime change in Venezuela under Trump, deeply skeptical commentary on Canadian economic policy, and a broader argument for less government involvement and more free market capitalism. The conversation is fast-paced, filled with predictions and sharp critiques, and will inform listeners about the geopolitics of Venezuela and the perennially controversial topic of corporate subsidies in Canada.