The Ben Joravsky Show

Ben and Dr D get biblical. Well, they talk about the new pope. Or more specifically—is he from Chicago or Dolton or Holland, Michigan? Also, since when did Chicagoans get so religious? Fran Spielman asks Mayor Johnson the tough question: Did you lose weight by dieting or taking diet pills? And the Real ID. Is it real or fake? Finally, the update on the senate race. Who’s in? Who’s sitting on the f...

MAGA says Trump should be pope. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks about the new hate. Out in the open. Even in Glenview. Maybe it’s not so new after all. Also a guide to the north shore, including Evanston, Lincolnwood and Northbrook. Why do suburbanites feel entitled to access libraries, parks and beaches in Chicago, while keeping Chicagoans out of their towns? Rummana is a columnist for the Sun-T...

Trump calls Bezos to say--Jeff, old buddy old pal, don't mention the tariffs, if you know what's good for you. Ben riffs. Is a tax a tax if we don't think we're paying it? Sylvia Ewing talks strategies to follow to keep from losing your mind while saving the country. A few words about our the country's way of cutting off its nose to spite its face. A question for older Dems--how can we miss you, i...

After 100 days in office, Trump puts his conflicts of interest right in our face, almost like he’s proud of them. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson asks what if the mainstreams covered Trump with as much as conviction and outrage as they cover Mayor Johnson. Then he asks why they don’t. Hint—race and money have something to do with it. Also, teen curfew in Chicago. And Ben and Monroe see Sinners. See Pri...

Ben and Dr D take a trip to Hollywood and New Hampshire, following Governor Pritzker wherever he goes in his non-announced campaign for President. Along the way, they stop in Chicago to talk about Mayor Johnson’s radio career. Then they go back on the JB beat. Did Pritzker’s pals really say bad things about Lauren Underwood? Who fed that story to the press? And does Jimmy Kimmel really think he ca...

The question must be asked--is there a method to Trump's madness? Ben riffs. David Faris explains the theory of escalating to de-escalate. Which is the closest thing to a strategy Trump may have. Then he riffs on, in no particular order, Bill Maher's blues, political correctness, Godwin's Law, Jerome Powell, "liberation day" tariffs and the Black Mirror episode that sums up our times. David is a p...

Governor Gavin and Mayor Rahm advise Democrats to sign on to just about anything Trump proposes no matter how wretched, if the polls support it. Ben riffs. Denali Dasgupta explains how many of Trump's policies were previously tried here in Chicago by centrists Dems. Ben apologizes to millennials and makes a promise. Which he soon breaks. Denali is a political strategist and former aldermanic candi...

Joe Rogan tries his hardest to take a stand against Trump. Ben riffs. Achy Obejas talks Rogan, Bill Maher and Larry David--nice to know that one of them is not scared of Trump. Then she talks about "Mami, I'm Scared," her gripping essay in Politico which asks the troubling question: How do you break the news to children that the country they love elected a tyrant who might send them to a prison in...

Ben and Dr D hop on the bus, Gus with all of the news you need to hear including…Mayor Johnson takes a swipe at Mayor Rahm. What took you so long? And Senator Durbin pulls a classic Illinois hand off. Essentially anointing Juliana Stratton as his successor. Meaning Raja and Robyn and Robert and (lotsa R here) and Lauren and all the other ambitious electeds have to decide. Do I still dare to run? S...

It’s Jackie Robinson Day in America, but will Trump allow us to celebrate it? Has Trump cancelled the first Black man to play in the major leagues cause his story is too DEI? Ben riffs. Alejandro Verdin dons a Dodgers hat in solidarity with Robinson. And then explains the difference between electing liberal Democratic judges and politicians. Both are tricky to do. And he should know as he’s manage...

Trump says the price of eggs fell 87 percent. Ben riffs. Monroe joins in. Also a few words about what just may be the most idiotic comment any MAGA man has offered as defense of Trump. Jesse Watters’ Bulls hat theory. Monroe dons a Bulls hat. Will Trump deport him? Don’t give him any ideas. And Monroe defends Bill Maher for sucking up to Trump. Ben is stunned. Thus begins the Maher debate. Also, M...

In a desperate attempt to justify the kidnapping of Kilmar Abrego Garcia by Trump's goons, Fox TV's Jesse Watters declares that any Salvadorian wearing a Bulls hat must be a gangster because...Because he says so. Ben riffs. Jack White connects the dots between Abrego Garcia--currently lodged in an El Salvadorian prison--and Trump's slander of the Central Park 5. Be warned, people--it's a trial run...

Wall Street tycoons wake up to realize that their guy Trump is a lunatic. Ben riffs. Elizabeth Todd-Breland talks about I Didn't Come Here to Lie , the new book she co-wrote with the late, great Karen Lewis, former president of the Chicago Teachers Union. Who, among many other things, galvanized the national labor movement by leading Chicago teachers on a strike against Mayor Rahm. Why did mainstr...

One more reason why The White Lotus is the perfect show for the age of Trump—everyone’s trying to hustle a buck out of it. Ben riffs. Julie Lynn offers an abortion rights update. Georgia, Missouri, Texas and more. Ben shows much love for Margo’s Got Money Trouble. Which dramatizes the hypocrisy that shames pregnant unwed women to give birth then shames them when they do. Julie is a political consu...

Dems show some momentum. Ben riffs. Jim Coogan takes us A-Z on Trump’s war against lawyers. It’s one thing he didn’t lie about. He said he’d punish his “enemies” and he’s doing it. What happened to free speech, rule of law and due process? Better watch what you ask—that question can be held against you. Jim is founding partner of Coogan Gallagher. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...

Trump announces tariffs, retirement portfolios plunge and MAGA cheers. Ben riffs. Even Monroe can't believe Trump would be so cruel, callous and clueless. What a combination. Pause for irony. The party that supposedly hates taxes--that would be you, Republicans--just socked everyone with a huge tax hike. Despite it all, Monroe has hope that the beginning of the end can be seen in Wisconsin's victo...

Trump to CPS--better not talk about race or I'll take away your federal money. Ben riffs. David Faris talks tariffs, Laura Loomer, Wisconsin supreme court race, and the twisted mindset of the president--as he deliberately inflicts pain on Americans because he can. Have Americans lost their ability to update their belief system with new information? David is a professor of political science at Roos...

Ben and Dr D have all the news that’s fit to print and then some, including…Ben takes a side in Pritzker’s fight with unions. Much love for the great Karen Lewis. Shoutout to CTU for their new contract. Suburban election results in Orland Park and Aurora—yes, we cover it all. And a few words about the 35th Ward’s new and old aldermen. One went to Lane, the other Whitney Young. After that, they hav...

Dems rejoice over a victory in a state senate election in Pennsylvania. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn continues the positivity. Dyett High wins a state bball championship. Remember when Mayor Rahm tried to close it? Then Laurie riffs. Asking the big questions, like...can peace and love beat war and hate? Will geezer Dems ever give it up for a younger generation? And wake up America! Which is not a quest...

Wisconsin voters tell Trump and Musk—stay out of our business! Ben riffs on Judge Crawford’s big win. Delmarie Cobb congratulates Wisconsin voters for doing the right thing and breaks down why they did it. In no particular order—can’t stand Musk, support abortion rights and in general think Trump’s lost his freaking mind. Well, that last one may be Ben's take. Also, a shoutout to Senator Booker fo...

Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old TikTok influencer who's never held office, challenges Congresswoman Jan Shakowsky in the 9th congressional district--as a bunch of Boomers and Gen Xers lose their collective minds at her audacity. Ben riffs. Kat joins the show to talk about her candidacy, her background, what the Dems need to do to beat MAGA, her days at Media Matters, her battles with Musk, her inve...

Ben and Dr D examine the week that was. Including…The Durbin revolt. Do any high profile Dems have the guts to make Senator Durbin pay for his filibuster vote? Short answer—no! Long answer—no way. Hold it! Time out for Giddey. Back to politics. Kat the zee-leniial challenges Congresswoman Schakowsky, What do the “whisperers” say? Governor Pritzker goes to Mexico. Comptroller Mendoza finds her inne...

MAGA has a curious way of processing their opposition to the cuts Trump is making—it’s Musk’s fault! Ben riffs. Alderman Gil Villegas breaks down the false narratives Trump employees to justify the unjustifiable. Like social security is a Ponzi scam. And it helps veterans to cut programs that helps veterans. Also, his encounter with X's bots. A few words on "buy the dip"--Eric Trump's pleasure at...

Rosie O'Donnell decides to sit out the Trump years in Ireland, trashing the U.S. press corps as she runs off to safety. Ben riffs. Rummana Hussain talks about cuts at the Sun-Times. And the desperate state of journalism. A few words about Bill Maher, once Mr. Politically Incorrect, crying like a snowflake cause he thinks Saturday Night Live was mean to MAGA. Boo hoo, hoo, Billy. Also, what's with...

Trump thought it was a good idea to put a lunatic in charge of national health. Now Robert Kennedy has a big idea to deal with the avian flu. Ben riffs. Monroe covers the latest madness from Trump World. Including... the El Salvador deportations, Trump's defiance of federal judges, Trump's attempts to make Black people invisible, MAGA's war on experts and the beginning of the end. Don't worry--it'...