The Ben Joravsky Show

Ben and Dr. D hop on JB’s presidential tour bus as it goes to Texas and Chicago and New Hampshire. Mayor Rahm has no tour bus. But he does have a puff piece in Politico heralding his potential prez campaign. And the city council debates RayLo’s fur ban. Can Dennis pass the who-voted-how trivia test? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After trashing electric cars for years, Trump pimps for Tesla to help out Musk. Ben riffs. Kina Collins explains Gavin Newsom's new-found love for Charlie Kirk--"just white dude's white duding." Also, a primer on the foolishness of Democrats for not supporting Congressman Al Green. They lost a chance to shine a spotlight on MAGA's talk of cutting Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. C'mon, Dems--get in the game. Kina Collins is a west side activist and former congressional candidate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ten Democratic congressmen vote to censure Congressman Al Green for the high crime of telling the truth about Trump. Ben riffs. Ken Mejia-Beal adds his two cents.Pointing out that the DuPage area Dems--Casten and Underwood--somehow managed not to wimp out even though they represent Purplish districts. Also, "the transformation of Bill Maher into a jackass." And a few not very complimentary words about Mayor Rahm's seventh-grade bathroom joke. Ken is the former chair of the DuPage County Democrats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Just another day in MAGA, USA--Trump threatens to lock up agitators. Guilty or not. Ben riffs. Nicole Cantello offers an update on the Trump-Musk ransacking of the EPA and other federal agencies. The bizarre orders. The weird come-back to offices directives. Followed by proposals to sell off of the buildings they're supposed to come back to. It's pretty clear Trump and Musk don't know what they're doing. Unless what they're doing is torturing good people. It's psychological warfare. And it's not clear lawsuits alone can stop them. Nicole is the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Be happy, Chicago--your local politicians made the big time. Mayor Johnson testified before congress, Governor Pritzker guests on The View, and lest we forget--Mayor Rahm makes an ass of himself on Bill Maher's show. Ben and Dr. D break it all down and tell you what it means. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump gives a speech to congress. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson--back from his world travels--asks and answers all the big questions. Such as...Is there anything more pathetic than MAGA continuing to bow to Trump even as he drives them broke with his inflationary policies? Why do voters care about the price of eggs when Biden's president and not when Trump's president? Will voters ever realize a tariff is a tax they have to pay? Will Chicago's Republicans come out from hiding to criticize Trump for raising taxes? Or will they continue to pretend like he doesn't exist cause they're too chicken to criticize him? Talking about you, Tribune and Crain's. While we're on the subject--why are Chicago Republicans so brave when it comes to criticizing Mayor Johnson, but so scared of Trump? Good to have you you back, Monroe! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump punishes AP for not bowing to his commands. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke joins the conversation with memories of how Mayors Daley and Rahm treated reporters they didn't like. What kind of country will we have if the press is controlled by the president? Then some memories of people who recently died. Tuyet Le. Jerry "the Iceman" Butler. And Roberta Flack. Mick is an editor for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Good news for lefties—CM Punk dons a CTU sweatshirt. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin explains how MAGA creates its own reality. And how the hate leftists but love leftist critiques. And how they hate unions but love unionized workers. Or so they say. And more. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After ordering federal employees not to even mention DEI, Trump throws a party in the White House to celebrate Black History Month--MAGA style. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez covers the news. Including...the free speech debate, Gaza protest puppets, Chicago City Council disinformation, and signs of hope. Rossana is the alderwoman of the 33rd ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve Bannon, Trump's ideological brain, gives the Nazi salute to a bunch of MAGA lovers and Governor Pritzker warns we’re looking a little too like Germany in the `30s. Ben riffs. David Faris explores this theme--American voters saw what Trump did on January 6 and voted for him anyway. What does this say about our democracy? David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA writes a script for teachers which makes no sense. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks resistance. What must be done and who must do it. Also, a few words about the midterms. And the mayor. And the people who want to be mayor. And a sorta shoutout to her libertarian critics. Who are not really libertarians. Stacy is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and the doctor are in the house, talking a week’s worth of news. Including… Governor Pritzker's 2026 budget address. The latest Trump poll, paid for by JB Pritzker. And the first in a series—the Chicago Mayoral Candidate spotlight. Yes, 2027 is right around the corner. Also, Dennis takes the 2019 mayoral trivia test. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump says no judge tells me what to do. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain ponders the day’s great questions. Can Trump remove the Associated Press from the White House cause they won't bow to his commands? Can he disobey the rulings of federal judges? Can he command Palestinians to leave Gaza? Is that even a plan or just Trump trash talking? Is Trump more powerful than Mayor Daley was in Chicago? Also, a few words about the AP style book. Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump decides it's okay to ignore the rulings of federal judges. Ben riffs. Meredith Shiner talks about her revelation. It's time Democrats took back their party from the feckless consultant class that runs it. Hence, it's time to primary all incumbents. Including Senator Durbin right here in Illinois. As she suggested she might do in a recent essay. Was that for real or satire? Does it matter? She also explains why Democratic senators do the things they do. Like not filibustering. Meredith is a former capitol hill reporter and a columnist for The New Republic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D riff on a week’s worth of news, including…President Pritzker. Yes, Ben’s sticking to his prediction. Former speaker Madigan. He was convicted. Mainly cause he didn’t pledge his allegiance to Trump. And New York City’s Mayor Adams. He did pledge allegiance to Trump and, voila, charges dropped. And Blago. Pardoned. And may be nominated ambassador to Serbia. A few words about Mayor Rahm and his new gig with CNN. And finally…a visit to Mayor Johnson’s gift room. Don’t touch those cuff links! Imagine how big Trump’s gift room would be. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the same day the mainstreams rejoice over Michael Madigan’s conviction, Musk and his four-year-old show Trump who really runs the White House. Ben riffs. Adolfo and Ben debate the issue of whether corruption laws really exist if they’re only enforced against Trump’s enemies. And not his friends. The debate rages. Sorta. Adolfo is a lawyer in Chicago and a radio host. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s Gaza plan is like a very dark comedy of the absurd. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn has a wake up call for Democrats. Abortion, acid and amnesty would have been better than what they came up with. Laurie is a political strategist and the founder and CEO of Thinkinc. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Racism is over, according to the NFL. Ben riffs. Marc Sims explains why he's "giving up his Blackness". Which he's not. And why his hair is not on fire cause of Trump. Even though it sorta is. Trump adds Gaza to the list of places he's taken over. Right after he takes over Greenland and Canada. Mainstream Chicago remains outraged over Mayor Johnson's stash house. And more. Marc hosts Just a Few Questions, a podcast based out of Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oh What a Week: Dennis is Back and Everyone Hates Each Other. President Pritzker? Byron v Bill the Bro. The mayoral poll. And much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if Mayor Johnson called a tax a tariff? Ben riffs. Monroe says the taxpayers in Chicago are too smart to fall for that. Then he thinks about what he just said. On second thought...Also, Musk gets control of the federal treasury. Has the coup already happened. And Trump's bark is worse than his bite on tariffs and deportation. Probably cause there's some rich guys in the backrooms saying--boss, don't do it. But his bite is as bad as his bite on Black people and the federal workforce. Meaning, there's no one in the backroom looking out for them. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.