The Ben Joravsky Show

In preparation of publication of his latest book on the assassination of Fred Hampton, Flint Taylor talks about the role of the FBI, and the police in the murder and the role of Mayor Richard J. Daley and the media in the coverup. Not the finest of moments for the Tribune, that's for sure. Everything you need to know about that day in infamy and its ongoing relevance. They just lied, lied, lied. H...

Rami Faraj examines the vote out of Dearborn, Michigan. A city he once lived in. As he explains the difference between a Trump voter and an uncommitted Democrat on the issue of funding Israel’s slaughter in Gaza. Apparently, shut up and vote Democrat doesn’t work. Rami is an activist and teacher in Chicago. Stick around for the breaking news about Eberflus. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...

It’s Thanksgiving. Time to give thanks… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Having had a great year turning the public against teachers and a lefty mayor, the mainstreams throw a party. Ben riffs. Monroe gives an eye-witness report of the shindig. Then it’s off to Trump. Why does Trump live putting a Black man in housing? And more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Who’s more corrupt—Boris Epshteyn or Danny Solis. Ben riffs. Gil Villegas covers the bases. Are the current aldermen Jake Paul’s? Is there such a thing as the Latino vote? Why did Gallegos win and Kamala in Arizona? Is there really a crisis at the border or have we been gaslit by Donny? And is he running for mayor? Gil is alderman of the 36th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...

The Dems swore they wouldn’t go back. But back they went—to 2016. David Faris tells you everything you need to know about what went down last Tuesday. While Ben tries to stay sane. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1...

Meredith Shiner and Ben talk all things Trump II—the early days. We’d be laughing if the consequences weren’t so painful. Meredith is a political 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 .

MAGA says they hate censorship but loves banning books. Ben riffs. Podcaster Mark Wallace predicts a day of reckoning for this country is just ahead. He predicts Mitch O’Connell will close out his career by doing something he’s never done before—the right thing. And he riffs on the myth of the “Black-Brown” coalition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

Breaking News—Illinois Supremes overturn Jussie conviction. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham talks lessons learned from the election. As the show’s resident centrist—every lefty show needs one—he says the Dems lost the message battle. Ben says—any old white guy could have beat Trump. And they’re off. Also, Mayor Johnson budget talk. Are city council “independents” the Jake Pauls of local politics? Pete...

If you want to know why Chicago’s aldermen are talking tough to Mayor Johnson, think Jake Paul challenging a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. Ben riffs. Monroe talks local and national politics. Including Rahm, Trump, Gaetz, and the NFL. Will football ban players who do the Trump dance like they banned Colin Kaepernick? I think we all know the answer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal...

Morning Joe goes down to Mar-a-Lago. Ben riffs. Ray Hanania explains why Trump won. Before admitting—you’re right, Ben, the women hating vote put Trump over the top. A few words about self hate as a force in politics. And Ray comes out for Mayor Johnson. So it’s now Ben and Ray and the Triibe as the only media folks in Chicago who don’t hate on the mayor. Also, Ray discovers TIFs. Ray is a columni...

Rummana Hussain and Ben discuss the curious refusal of Americans, including leftists, to acknowledge that hatred of women, especially Black women, prompted millions of voters to vote for a criminal over Kamala Harris. It is a betrayal of Black women. Even if America refuses to admit that. Ben says a demented Joe Biden, running in all his f-bomb-dropping demented glory would have defeated Trump. Do...

Clearly, the abortion rights movement did not lead to a Democratic triumph. Ben riffs. Julie Lynn elaborates. Bottom line—the strategy of using state by state referendums to lead the charge benefitted Trump. Just like Julie said it would. And if voters think these referendums will protect abortion rights they are seriously misguided. Just like Julie told you. And it’s pointless to vote yes on abor...

David Faris searches for the logic of the voters’s decision to elect Trump. And for Trump’s decision to nominate Gaetz, Baby Bobby, Hegseth and so on. Good luck, David. Oh, yes—David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

The City Council unanimously votes against a property tax hike. Ben riffs. Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle analyzes MAGA votes in the 50th ward. A combo of Democratic disenchantment and MAGA converts. Well, maybe they were already MAGA. Also, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. His policies created the migration that MAGA says they hate. More evidence that illogic rules. Finally, Matt explains his love for t...

Trump nominates Matt Gaetz for AG. Ben riffs. Then he riffs about the Sun-Times article on the Latino bloc. Then Denali riffs on the curious attitude voters have for women candidates. And then they’re off, searching for meaning in the illogical behavior of voters. Also, a brief look at elected school board results. Denali is a political analyst who knows a thing or two about running for office cau...

Biden welcomes Trump to the White House. Oh, what a difference between MAGA and Dems. Ben riffs. Monroe already looking forward to 2026 midterms. Will Senate Republicans have a backbone? Only if votes are private. The great debate—did Saturday Night Live roll over? When will Mayor Johnson ever learn? And is Ben a closet Packers fan? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Pr...

Trump picks the governor of South Dakota to police the border with Mexico. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin assesses the election and what will follow. Will Sean O’Brien use his clout with Trump to stand up for labor? Stop laughing, people. Will Joe Rogan use his clout with Trump to keep Trump from locking up lefties and journalists? Stop crying, people. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Tim...

Michael Madigan really has left the building, as he’s not running for re-election as committeeman. Ben riffs. And cinematographer Michael Crommett talks about filming the January 6 insurrection. Michael was there that day. First at Trump’s rally. And later on the steps of the Capitol, where he filmed the siege. He was the cinematographer for Unprecedented, Alex Holder’s documentary about Trump’s r...

The MAGAzation of America hits the airplane boarding lines. Ben riffs. Kelly Cassidy joins the riffing and broadens the conversation to Yankee fans. Is America as anti-women as MAGA thinks? Will Kelly’s home state of Florida vote Kamala? And a few words about MJM, or Michael Joseph Madigan. Kelly is a state representative from Rogers Park. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...

The day-after comments of Dems and Trumpers reveal—again—that MAGA plays the game of politics by its own set of rules. Ben riffs. Kina Collins offers her views on what went down in the election. As much as she wanted Kamala to win, she saw it coming. A few words about misogyny. And much more. Kina is a political activist and strategist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...

When it came to election predictions, Ben got everything wrong. Ben riffs. Then legendary journalist Jack White join Ben and Monroe in breaking everything down. Including what to do next. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

As America votes, the polls tell the story. Sorta. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner offers his state of the union on this day of decision. Ben gets sentimental. Kam can relate. Our ancestors are talking to us. A word or two about gaslit north siders who have been brainwashed into hating Mayor Johnson. And then a word ot two about the leaderless Bears. Would they have destroyed Patrick Mahomes had they draft...

Alderman Matt Martin talks about how to pay Chicago’s school bills. The limitations of TIFs. Why Chicago needs Kamala to win. Property tax assistance. His fair election ordinance. And the need for safer crosswalks. Matt is the alderman of the 47th ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

New school board prez loves Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb addresses voter attitudes toward women. Will voters overcome their fears and elect a woman president? Flashbacks to Hillary. The Liz Cheney strategy. And a word or two about north side white liberals. They’re aghast! And they’re the first to abandon ship. Delmarie is a political strategist and communications expert. See Privacy Po...