Rebel News Podcast - The Gunn Show

Episode: SHEILA GUNN REID | Exposed and fired: How Rebel reporting delivered accountability
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Sheila Gunn Reid
Guest: David Menzies

Episode Overview

This episode of The Gunn Show centers on Rebel News’ efforts—spearheaded by David Menzies—to expose individuals in positions of corporate power in Canada who have posted or advocated overtly antisemitic and pro-genocidal rhetoric online. Sheila Gunn Reid interviews Menzies about his recent reporting that led to at least five terminations in major companies, and discusses the implications for free speech, corporate responsibility, media coverage, law enforcement response, and the crucial role of independent journalism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exposing Antisemitism in Corporate Canada

• Mission Background:

  • Menzies has made it a mission to reveal and prompt accountability for those in influential corporate or sensitive positions who propagate hate speech, especially calls for genocide against Jews or open support for terrorist organizations.
  • Sources: Collaborates with online organizations like Leviathan that monitor and compile evidence of such activity.
  • Sheila Gunn Reid: "I'm not talking about people who are working at your local ice cream shop who are critical of Israel. I mean people working in banking with the ability to debank you...or examine all your financial information, who are pro genocide from the river to the sea types..." (01:57)

• Consequences:

  • Efforts have led to at least five individuals being fired from companies such as Air Canada, General Electric, Telus, and Scotiabank.

2. The Ethics of “Cancel Culture” and Free Speech

• Drawing the Line:

  • Menzies and Reid make clear that the exposure of these individuals isn’t about punishing dissent but holding accountable those crossing the line from opinion to hate speech and violence advocacy.
  • Menzies: “There is a line, isn’t there? And that line is this: When you advocate harm or death to a person or a group of people, that is the line in the sand you cannot cross.” (05:03)

• Double Standards:

  • Both discuss how corporate and law enforcement responses are inconsistent, often more severe for right-wing or pro-Israel advocates than for those supporting Islamist or anti-Jewish rhetoric.
  • Menzies: “If somebody who looked like me wearing a red MAGA cap was saying something about Muslims...not only would I be fired, but I have no doubt the police would be knocking at my door for criminal charges.” (07:29)

3. Corporate and Law Enforcement Responses

• Corporate Reluctance:

  • Many companies ignored the issue until public exposure forced their hand—often only for damage control, rather than proactive ethics.
  • Media relations departments frequently offered only curt or dismissive responses.
  • Reid: "It's an interesting strategy to have a media relations department that relates in absolutely no way to the media." (09:54)

• Law Enforcement Inaction:

  • Menzies criticizes Toronto Police for not only failing to act against hate but sometimes facilitating or ignoring problematic protests.
  • Menzies: “They have uttered death threats...They have used vandalism. They have shot up Jewish businesses...And what have the Toronto police done? Stand down, stand down, stand down.” (10:47)
  • Anecdote: The senior legal counsel for Toronto Police was placed on leave after being implicated in resisting action via Menzies’ reporting and visual protests (billboard truck at HQ).
  • Reid: “We saw them delivering coffee and donuts to the protesters who were blocking the overpass...” (12:33)

4. Societal & Political Dynamics

• Unchecked Normalization:

  • Current sociopolitical climate emboldens individuals to publicly espouse extreme views, as they perceive minimal consequences.
  • Reid: “They're very open about it. They're not posting under fake names. That's how we know who they are. They just think in Canada’s current political climate...this is the acceptable discourse taking place.” (10:14)

• Mainstream Media Silence:

  • The panel laments the lack of mainstream media coverage, attributing it to both ideological bias and disdain for Rebel News.
  • Menzies: “Wouldn’t you think that would be the proverbial media snowball? But no, we break the story...because it's us, they won't.” (20:48)

5. Public Reaction versus Corporate Leadership

• Public Outrage:

  • Reid notes significant grassroots backlash—customers writing in, threatening to take business elsewhere, especially for airlines where safety is a major concern.
  • Reid: “I know, because they cc me on the emails that they send to these businesses demanding action, saying what are you doing?” (19:22)

• Corporations’ Motives:

  • Menzies asserts that companies act not out of moral responsibility, but to avoid PR disasters.
  • Menzies: “It’s not about doing the right thing. It’s about damage control and crisis management.” (20:24)

6. Hypocrisy and “Racism of Low Expectations”

• Selective Outrage:

  • The differential treatment of right-wing versus left-wing or Islamist rhetoric is highlighted.
  • Menzies: "Isn't this almost an example of the racism of low expectations?" (23:01)
  • The argument is that companies and officials effectively stereotype all Muslims by avoiding criticism or action, which offends law-abiding Muslims.

• Comparison to Past Protests:

  • Reid compares media and political response to the “Freedom Convoy” versus pro-Hamas and antisemitic marches.
  • Reid: “If you are a MAGA grandma in Pennsylvania, you're going to have CNN on your front lawn. But...people are completely fine apparently to walk around the streets of Toronto with their swastikas.” (16:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

[05:03] David Menzies:

“There is a line, isn’t there? And that line is this: When you advocate harm or death to a person or a group of people, that is the line in the sand you cannot cross.”

[07:29] David Menzies:

“If somebody who looked like me wearing a red MAGA cap was saying something about Muslims...not only would I be fired, but I have no doubt the police would be knocking at my door for criminal charges.”

[09:54] Sheila Gunn Reid:

“It's an interesting strategy to have a media relations department that relates in absolutely no way to the media.”

[10:47] David Menzies:

“They have uttered death threats...They have used vandalism. They have shot up Jewish businesses...And what have the Toronto police done? Stand down, stand down, stand down.”

[16:17] David Menzies:

“They are exposing themselves. These are self-inflicted wounds. Like I said, we're not relying...on hacking into a phone and getting a confidential email or text message. And these guys are openly posting this.”

[19:22] Sheila Gunn Reid:

“The public is outraged by this. I know, because they cc me on the emails that they send to these businesses demanding action, saying what are you doing? I'm taking my business elsewhere or I don't feel safe on your airline.”

[20:24] David Menzies:

“The only reason these people are getting terminated...is because the cat is out of the bag...now it's not about doing the right thing. It's about damage control and crisis management.”

[23:01] David Menzies:

“Isn't this almost an example of the racism of low expectations? The idea that, well, you know what? He's an adherent of Islam. As though all adherents of Islam, every Muslim thinks about this. ...I would be outraged. How dare you cover for those people because you think you might offend me.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00] - [04:31]: Introduction and summary of Menzies’ reporting; scope of the exposed individuals.
• [04:31] - [06:45]: Menzies outlines the importance of drawing a line between free speech and hate speech.
• [06:45] - [09:35]: Corporate responsibilities and vulnerabilities; double standards in consequences.
• [10:47] - [12:33]: Recent incidents of violence and hate-related protests; law enforcement’s response.
• [13:23] - [14:09]: The impact of legal and advocacy actions on police and city authority.
• [16:01] - [17:42]: Debate over “outing” these individuals and the benefits of openness.
• [19:22] - [21:22]: Public outrage versus official response; independent journalism’s necessity.
• [23:01] - [24:25]: Bigotry of low expectations and cultural assumptions in corporate contexts.
• [24:36] - [25:30]: Future exposés and the team’s ongoing investigative work.

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a combative, conversational, and sometimes sardonic tone, consistent with the hosts’ and guests’ styles. Both express frustration at perceived hypocrisy and a lack of accountability from corporations, law enforcement, and legacy media while championing the necessity of independent, adversarial reporting.

Conclusion

Sheila Gunn Reid and David Menzies stress the importance of exposing corporate antisemitism, the ongoing double standard in corporate and media response, and the vital role of independent journalism in holding powerful institutions accountable. They underscore that, while backlash and terminations only happen under public pressure, exposing such individuals is necessary for public awareness and safety—especially in sensitive industries. The episode closes optimistically, acknowledging community support and pledging continued reporting on these issues.

End of Summary