The Ben Joravsky Show

Amidst Trump’s gangster shakedown of America, a little hope from Mayor Mamdani. Ben riffs. Miles examines Trump's latest shakedowns—the $1.7 billion trust fund for January 6 insurrectionists and other kooks and crooks. And immunity for Trump and his family from IRS audits. Massie’s loss in Kentucky. And lessons Dems can learn by contrasting Biden and Trump. Miles is an editor and writer for In The...

An antigay commercial by Thomas Massie lets MAGA voters know what he thinks of them. Ben riffs. David adds his thoughts. Also, Kash Patel’s payback. Basically, Trump’s moved Nixon’s plumbers out of the basement and into the front room, where everybody can see them. And, a few words about Trump’s orgy of redistricting. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist f...

PCA. Cubs center fielder PCA says something nasty to a Sox fan. Ben riffs. D’Frantz and Natalie offer their views. And then they’re off on a wide ranging exchange about the WNBA. Topics include, in no particular order, Rickea Jackson’s knee injury, Angel Reese, Coach Tyler Marsh, Candace Parker, Brianna Stewart & Myles Turner & Giannis. And much more. D’Frantz is an activist and one of the...

Graham Platner runs as a working-class hero, and The NYT says, but his daddy’s a lawyer. Ben riffs. Graciela Guzman runs down the progressive state-wide agenda. Including fair taxes, data center controls, and no handouts to the rich, including the Bears. Graciela is the state senator from the 20th district on Chicago’s northwest side. She’s a proud progressive, and not afraid to say it. See Privac...

Ben and Dr D reveal some secrets as they race through a week’s worth of news. Chicago pitches for another Democratic convention. The Board of Ed throws away fifty-something thousand. And in honor of his third year in office, Mayor Johnson sits down with CBS newsman Chris Tye. We break down the clips. Finally, Dr D tells all about how he got through college. Oh, that Dr D. See Privacy Policy at htt...

Group think is not limited to MAGA. Ben riffs. Mick talks religion. Or the Hegseth variant, a toxic blend of “faith-based” hate. As well as JD Vance cheering on Trump’s attack on Pope Leo. And more. Mick is well qualified to discuss religion and politics as he may be the only political reporter in Chicago who’s read the Torah, the New Testament and the Koran. Also, gerrymandering gone viral. Final...

Jamelle Bouie makes it clear what’s at stake in the wake of the Supremes eviscerating the Voting Rights Act—our democracy. Ben riffs. Gregory returns to talk about the Pulitzer Prize the Tribune won for its coverage of Operation Midway Blitz. Also, his exchange with Bovino. And what happened after he was chastized by one of Trump’s press people. Ben teaches Greg about neo-liberals. And then t...

From his hospice care, former Congressman Barney Frank offers a gloomy message for fellow Democrats. Ben riffs. Monroe dissects recent gerrymandering rulings be the Supremes. It’s all about “white power” from operatives who only like “good darkies.” Also an update from the “land of aren’t we special.”—aka, Lincoln Park. Which is different than the land of Hoosiers, whose leaders have sold their so...

Trump sics the Feds on The View—as in Whoopi’s show. Ben riffs. The Hussain sisters return! Talking The View, the Met Gala, Kash Patel, Indians as model minorities and Bruce Springsteen. Rummana is a columnist for the Sun Times. Almas is a private eye. Their views are their own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s...

Ben & Dr D have pastrami on their minds! Why? Cause JB Pritzker was lunching at a deli with a national reporter and talking about running for president, while nibbling at his pastrami. Meanwhile, Mayor Rahm was bike riding in New Hampshire. George Cardenas was letting everyone know he wants to be mayor. And Darren Bailey was inching further toward the middle. See Privacy Policy at https://art1...

Jack Thornell’s photographs of the Civil Rights Movement remind us why we need the Voting Rights Act now as much as ever. Ben riffs. Denali Dasgupta compares the vast contrast in the lives and legacies of Amisha Patel and Rudy Giuliani. Also, a “real moment” for American Catholics. And a few words about taxing the rich. Denali is an activist in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...

In the aftermath of Tuesday’s primary in Indiana, Hoosier Republicans win the award for lame-voters-of-the-year. Ben riffs. Pat Whalen talks MAGA, Hoosiers, Mayor Rahm, the perils of short-form content and more. Also, he introduced his new political game show—That Being Said. You can play along at home. Pat is a comedian in Chicago. By the way, the name of the comedian Pat quoted? Bill Hicks. It’s...

MAGA welcomes Black voters as long as they vote MAGA. Alvin Tillery returns to talk Supreme Court evisceration of Voting Rights Act. The sad truth about conservatives in academia. And James Bevel, Crispus Attucks, Nick Saban and more. Stick around for his riff on what Black voters should do to really flex their political power. Alvin is a Democratic strategist and CEO of the 2040 Strategy Group. S...

Corporate Chicago celebrates May Day by hating on the the union they most love to hate. Ben riffs. Mueze Bawany talks local politics and local football. Hey, Bears—shoulda drafted Gabe Jacas. Who? Listen and learn. Has Mueze jumped back onto the Bulls bandwagon? Mueze is a public school teacher, proud lefty, and high school flag football coach. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C...

Ben and Dr D got Shel Silverstein on their minds. As in The Cover of Rolling Stone. Why? Cause it’s part of a week’s worth of news including…Collin Corbett. Who? Listen, you’ll learn. And everyone’s favorite soap opera—a Mayor and his Aldermen. And Governor Pritzker makes time for Time. Just call him Cover Boy… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:...

As news spread of last weekend’s assassination attempt, lefty America was calling it a hoax. Ben riffs. Monroe and Jack do much riffing of their own, covering everything from the assassination attempt, the war in Iran, Comey, Kimmel, Hegseth, Michael Jackson and Thucydides. Yes, the Peloponnesian War remains relevant. Monroe and Jack are journalistic legends, having worked as editors and writ...

The great community activist Amisha Patel died last week of cancer. At age 50–way too young. Ben riffs. And two Amisha-like fighters for justice return to talk about Trump and Lee Zeldin’s attempts to turn the Environmental Protection Agency into a destroyer of the clean water and air it’s supposed to protect. Beware of gaslighting buzzwords like “energy dominance.” Also be warned—it could get wor...

California Democrats try their best to lose a slam-dunk of a governor’s election. Ben riffs. Manny Ramos weighs in…is there really such a thing as a benevolent billionaire? Then they take the deep dive on RayLo—aka, Alderman Raymond Lopez. Who’s emerged as MAGA’s main man in the city council. Manny is an investigative reporter for Block Club. Do yourself a favor and read his profile on Lopez.&nbsp...

In just what might be the most idiotic phase of Trump’s presidency—and that’s saying a lot—there’s the saga of John Phelan’s tenure as head of the Navy. Ben riffs. David Faris offers updates on the war in Iran. Also, his advice to Democratic billionaires who want to run for office. And what’s going on in Virginia and California. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a...

Ben and Dr D are busting out…so much to say about so many things. For instance, what’s the difference between Hoosier and Illinois MAGA? Bet you didn’t know there was a difference. Well, there is one, when it comes to showering money on the Bears. Also, mayoral updates—will all the wannabes drop out if Alexi jumps into the race? And so much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...

Virginia Dems pull a Trump on Trump. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn says—about freakin’ time! Ben and Laurie take an excursion into Tucker Carlson’s soul. Tucker now claims he is “tormented” by his ten or so years of promoting Trump. And yet—it was not that long ago where Carlson said of Trump—“he’s a wonderful person.” And he’s “the funniest person I have ever met in my life.” Are Tucker’s tears of the...

Kevin Warsh, Trump’s choice to lead the Fed, swears up and down he won’t be Donny’s puppet, even though everyone knows that’s why Trump chose him. Ben riffs. Robin Washington talks about his old neighborhood—Old Town. Think North & Sedgwick. Where he grew up in the 60s and 70s. As a Black and Jewish kid. He offers a primer on segregation, gentrification and activism in Chicago. And a shoutout...

Darren Bailey displays his newfound love for Chicago by eating pizza and not putting catsup on a hot dog. Ben riffs. Paul Bruton tells you everything you need to know about the last vestiges of Chicago’s Democratic Machine. A subject he knows quite well as he had the audacity to run against Alderman Marty Quinn, Michael Madigan’s guy in the 13th Ward. He’s also a University of Chicago graduate in...

To honor Jackie Robinson in a way that doesn’t upset MAGA, Major League Baseball pretends Cap Anson, and racists like him, never existed. Ben riffs. Steve Cohen and Paula Froehle return! To talk about their Doc 10 Film Festival that starts this month in Chicago. Learn everything you need to know about the latest and best documentaries at this year’s festival, including films about Billie Jean...

Ben and Dr D cover the country. Local, state and national politics. Mayor Rahm’s latest dumb idea. Darren Bailey inches away from MAGA. And Donnie fights Chicago’s pope. 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 .