If you can overlook the pain and cruelty Trump’s inflicting on the people he hates, life in MAGA America is absurdly, darkly and perversely funny. Sorta. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson—America’s foremost authority on white people—helps Ben make sense of Epsteingate. Good luck with that.

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The city council makes its big stand defending rich people. Sigh. Ben riffs. Miguel Alvelo-Rivera explains why he’s running for state representative, why we need progressive taxation and why he still has faith in the people. And Ben explains why he, Ben, is not cynical even though so many people say he is. Stick around for Miguel’s exposition on Boricua en la Luna by Juan Antonio Corretjer—song by Ray Brown. Miguel is running for state rep in the 40th district on Chicago’s northwest side. 

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Mark Epstein clarifies—the bubba Trump blew was not Bill Clinton. Well, that’s good to know. Ben riffs. Steve Krafft returns with an update from swing state land, aka, Arizona. Hear the latest on Democrats chances to oust MAGA. Right now Steve says it’s about 50-50 that our fragile democracy survives. Steve is a longtime political reporter and a member of the Nichols Jr High Quiz Bowl Hall of Fame. 

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MTG talks big, then capitulates to Trump. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke offers up some Bible lessons and then takes off on Trump’s propaganda blitz. Bovino’s Rambo shtick. Pritzker’s mixed message to resisters. And a few words of love in memory of Tony Adler. Mick is an editor and writer for Block Club. 

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Epstein’s emails confirm what we already knew about Trump. Ben riffs. Evanston’s Mayor Daniel Biss covers almost every topic. Including…why he’s running for Congress, as opposed to staying on as mayor. What he thinks about AIPAC, Israel, Mamdani, the Democratic filibuster busters, and the role local law enforcement plays in dealing with ICE. Hint—time to indict the ICE lawbreakers. Daniel is running in the Democratic primary for Congress in the 9th district. 

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One little snowfall and ICE is suddenly leaving Chicago for warmer climes. Ben riffs. Kalman Resnick explains the legal fight he’s waging on behalf of Chicagoans swept off the street by ICE’s masked and armed goon squad. Most notably, his case on behalf of Ruben Torres Maldonado, whose daughter is undergoing cancer treatment. And Diana Santillana Galeano, the teacher snatched from a north side daycare center. These fights are in the courts but the larger struggle is at the ballot box. Kalman is a lawyer in Chicago.

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Dems cave to Trump—or did they? Ben riffs. Charles Henderson talks about the struggle to convince people to vote Democrat, knowing that push come to shove the Dems part of the Democratic Party will let them down. Also…Trump’s VA cuts. Are boomers worthless? Mamdani and the Black vote. And Charles turns the tables and asks Ben a tricky Mayor Rahm question. Charles is an Army vet and peace activist in Chicago.

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Trump appeals a judge’s SNAP ruling. Ben riffs. David Faris gives the good and bad news from Tuesday’s elections. The good news—America hate Trump. The bad news—he’s still in charge. Also, envy as a political force. Americans are philosophical conservatives and policy liberals. What if SNAP were like Social Security—open to all? Would Donnie and Musk take it? You know they would. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation and Newsweek. His views are his own.

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Ben and Dr D pull themselves away from watching the Bulls long enough to talk about a week’s worth of news, including…Chuygate! Congressman Jesus Garcia pulls a move so outrageous it has Ben and the Tribune seeing eye to eye. Also, the gift room returns. And should JB apologize for cussing out Boss Donnie? Ben says—fuck no! Oh my goodness—we’re so sorry for that outburst of profanity! And more…

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In one stupendous night, Dems crush Donnie and Bulls win—Ben’s cup runneth over. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson joins the celebration. Talking about Mamdani, Sherrill, Spanberger and Prop 50. Also, some love for JB, Kwame and Brandon. Monroe weighs in on Chuygate—“it’s not playing fair, it’s playing to win.”

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