The Ben Joravsky Show

Mahmoud Khalil learns there's an asterisk to MAGA's dedication to free speech. Ben riffs. Joanna Klonsky says if you're waiting for Trump, Musk or MAGA to be principled, you'll be waiting a long time. Then the talk turns to centrist Dems and the continuing resolution showdown. Is appeasement the best strategy for dealing with Trump? Also, does Mayor Rahm really think he'll be president? And the ne...

Senator Schumer, leader of the senate Dems, rolls over for Trump on the continuing resolution. Ben riffs. David Faris takes it from there. Explaining why the Dems should have kept the filibuster going. And how they wound up giving even more power to Trump. And how it shows divisions in the Democratic Party and uncertainty as to how to deal with a tyrant. David also answers the "Benji question". Da...

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/...

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...

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...

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 war against federal employees. Including the bizarre, often contradictory orders. Like the return-to-the-office directives followed by proposals to sell the buildings they're supposed to return to. It's pretty clear Trump and Musk don't know what they're...

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-i...

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 tari...

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 Priva...

Good news for lefties—CM Punk dons a CTU sweatshirt. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin explains how MAGA creates its own reality. And how they hate leftists but love leftist critiques. That is—when they’re convenient to undermine what leftists want to achieve. 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 Po...

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://...

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 col...

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://art...

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. Also know as President 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/priv...

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,...

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? Sh...

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...

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...

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 Qu...

Oh, What a Week is back! And so is Dennis! Yes, that's correct. Dr D has returned from his sojourn. And he has new wisdom which he will share. Such as...Everyone Hates Each Other. President Pritzker? Byron v Bill the Bro. The mayoral poll. Libertarians are not Republicans. And more, much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privac...

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...

Looks like Paramount may join Meta and Disney in caving to Trump. Ben riffs. David Faris breaks down the first two weeks of MAGA rule. It's time for Democrats to--ugh, hello--re-think the strategy of timidity. Status quo bias emerges. As people look to midterms for salvation. But that may be too late. Playing it safe won't work either. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt Univers...

Chicago's mainstreams are aghast that Mayor Johnson got some gifts. Ben riffs. Pollster Alvin Tillery examines the early polls on how the country is reacting to one week of Trump. What they say about how Democrats should proceed. Also, a primer on Trump and DEI. What does Trump mean when he says the D word. AKA, diversity. A few lessons on white supremacy and critical race theory. And why LBJ is h...

Ben has a realization--Trump presidency is Council Wars on steroids. In other words, Trump's looking to sabotage the whole federal government. Gary Rivlin picks up on the analogy. Why does Gary know about Council Wars? Cause he wrote Fire on the Prairie , the seminal book on Mayor Harold Washington. For the last 20 or so years, Gary's been covering the tech industry. And he gives the run down on M...