The Ben Joravsky Show

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 writers for various newspapers and magazines. 

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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 worse before it gets better. As Zeldin asks Congress to cut the EPA budget by 52 percent. Loreen is an EPA scientist and Nicole is President of AFGE Local 704, the union that represents EPA employees.

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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. 

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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 columnist for The Nation. His views are his own. 

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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.

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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 crocodile variety? Laurie is a political and communication strategist.

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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 to his parents, Atlee and Jean Washington. Robin is an award-winning writer, editor, journalist and Lane Tech High School grad, though not necessarily in that order.

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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 history, so he knows a thing or two or three about American politics.

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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 King, Clarence Jones, Maria Danford and courageous librarians. 

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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…

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