Trump sulks cause he didn’t get the Nobel for bringing “peace” to the Middle East. Ben riffs. Monroe reconsiders his opposition to Trump in the hopes of making big bucks like Steven A. Smith. Then decides—nah, too late for that. Also…the government shutdown, racist young Republicans, Democratic strategists, and the Bears and their stadium. Monroe is a longtime journalist and truth teller.

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Trump’s prosecutorial puppet prosecutes Leticia James. Ben riffs. David Faris runs down the stages of autocracy. We’re currently in the competitive authoritarianism phase. Thanks in part to John Roberts and his Supremes. Imagine a president named, oh, Pritzker behaving like Trump. The Gaza truce. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek and The Nation.

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ICE manages to avoid Wrigley Field. Ben riffs. State senator Graciela Guzman talks about Trump’s invasion of Chicago. How Chicago is a testing ground for MAGA messaging and other interventions. Her showdown at the Broadview detention center. The crackdown on academic freedom. And more. Oh, yes—don’t call her “Sporty Spice.” Graciela represents the 20th senatorial district on the northwest side.

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Chomsky’s wisdom helps explain America’s illogical take on immigration and deportations. Ben riffs. Marc Sims explains everything all at once. Including…why Americans are so illogical about crime, immigrants, Trump’s behavior and deportations. A shout out to Atlanta. Why are Chicagoans so unfriendly? And more. Marc is a podcaster in Chicago.

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Bari Weiss hits the jackpot, showing millennials how to play the game. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn contemplates the ability of people to find a justification to embrace policies and politicians they once abhorred. Also, the Democrats and their governmental shutdown strategy, or lack thereof. How about that kid in Texas? That is—State Senator James Talarico. A great debate about Mayor Johnson. Laurie is a political consultant and strategist.

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The Sun-Times shows much love for Alderman Marty Quinn. Ben riffs. Mark Whitaker talks about his new book, The Afterlife of Malcolm X. Which is about what the title says—how the legacy of Malcolm X lives even 60 years after his assassination. So much to discuss so little time. Why is Malcolm as relevant today as he was when he was alive? Was the FBI complicit in his murder? Why did it take so long for two men wrongfully convicted of murdering Malcolm to get exonerated? Why didn’t America care about who killed Malcolm, even as he was revered as an icon? And more…including, Mark’s riffs on Alex Haley, Dr King and Spike Lee. Mark is the former editor of Newsweek and a contributor to CBS Sunday morning.

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The New York Times fact checker bends over backwards to avoid calling Trump’s lie a lie. Ben riffs. Trump is so autocratically demented, it takes two journalistic legends to explain it all. Jack White joins Monroe to break down everything from the memorial speech to the Tylenol denunciation to the broken United Nations elevator to Kimmel’s stance. And more…

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Dave Portnoy, who made his name being politically incorrect, says Jimmy Kimmel went too far. Ben riffs. Holly Kim explains why she’s running for state comptroller. And what she will do if she wins. Get ready for the TIF debate. Holly Kim is treasurer of Lake County,

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Dems start to realize they have to get out of their comfort zone to take back the country. Ben riffs. Kevin Lamm explains how it can be done. What are the issues that rally red district voters? What's the lesson from Catelin Drey and Debra Shigley? How they apply to the 16th congressional district in Illinois--one of the reddest districts in the country. Kevin is a candidate for state Democratic Committeeman in the 16th.

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Joe Rogan finally weighs in on Jimmy Kimmel and free speech. Ben riffs. Kat Abughazaleh talks about getting thrown to the ground by ICE thugs. If you think it’s bad outside an ICE facility, imagine the horror of what goes on inside where it can’t be seen. How to confront fascism? Hint—don’t take bad-faith arguments in good faith. Speaking of bad-faith arguments, Trump on Tylenol. Kat is running in the Democratic primary for Congress in 9th congressional district. 

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