Apparently, Trump’s nominee for surgeon general is not nutty enough for MAGA. Ben riffs. David Faris explains MAGA’s strange double standard on vaccines. They hate Covid shots but are ok with flu shots. If MAGA hates mandates, why are they so passive about the Real ID? Is there any logic to anything MAGA does? A mea culpa about lefty illogic. Speaking of nutty illogic, Trump’s recent pronouncement on tariffs. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek. His views are his own

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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 fence? And what activities did Dick Durbin do in high school?

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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-Times. Her views are her own.

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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, if you don't go away? Sylvia is Vice President of Journalism and Media Engagement at Public Narrative.

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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.

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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 can out dance JB Travolta?

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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 political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek and Slate. His views are his own.

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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 candidate.

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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 El Salvador? Also, a word or two about Marco Rubio. And a poll in The Forward reveals 72 percent of Jewish Americans disapprove of Trump's presidency. Achy is a poet, novelist, translator and journalist.

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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?

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