The Ben Joravsky Show

A New York Times poll shows that the less voters know about Trump, the more they like him. Ben riffs. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette talks waste and fraud. He’s spent his working life in pursuit of bi-partisan solutions to waste and fraud and what has he received for his efforts as of late? His recommendations get ignored by the Trump administration and he’s been vilified and maligned by Musk’s cultists, of the human and robot variety. Dylan is vice president of Policy and Government Affairs for the Project on Government Oversight. This recording originally dropped on May 29, 2025.

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Why do hyphenated Americans—Mexican, Italian, Irish, Polish. Greek, you name it—root for the country on the left side of that hyphen? Ben riffs. Adolfo elaborates. And that leads them to the Supremes coming close—too close—to erasing the 14 amendment. So much for being textualists. Next thing you know, Ben & Adolfo are breaking down the meaning of Country Road. You know—“almost heaven, West Virginia…” Which US fans sing at soccer games. Adolfo is a lawyer—born & raised on the South Side!

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Can the U.S. media objectively cover the U.S. soccer team? Ben riffs. Kevin Blackistone adds a riff of his own. And then they’re off. Talking soccer and colonialism, Caitlin Clark and MAGA, Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson’s take down of Clarence Thomas and Trump’s desecration of Kevin’s beloved hometown of Washington, DC. Kevin is a writer, TV commentator, and journalism professor.

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A listener gently chides Ben for not giving DSA enough credit for congressional wins in NYC—in other words, it wasn’t just Mamdani. Ben riffs. Mick Dumke explains the latest chapter in the Parking Meter Debacle. As Mayor Johnson looks into buying back the control of our streets that Mayor Daley foolishly sold for a relative pittance. Learn about the Investment Bros, the mayor’s “dream team” of advisors, the non-disclosure agreement, the letter from Webb, Andre’s mic drop and more. It’s all so pathetic, it’s funny. If you don’t mind getting fleeced. Stick around for Mick’s life advice to Ben. Mick is a writer and editor for Block Club. 

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As the World Cup comes to America, a judge makes Trump remove his name from the Kennedy Center. Ben riffs. Serena Mathews—soccer analyst extraordinaire—tells you everything you need to know about the politics of the World Cup. The imperialistic model of FIFA. How Infantino sucked up to Trump. How Trump stole FIFA’s soccer trophy. How soccer sportswashes the hate of MAGA. How some rich guys in the USA passed the hat to bring in a coach, who’s already looking for his next job. Why, despite it all, she loves the game so much. Stick around for her predictions. Originally dropped June17.

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Chicago aldermen debate the latest parking-meter debacle. Ben riffs. Christian Mitchell, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, returns. Talking Supreme Court ruling in Haitian deportation case, state police in Broadview, Darren Bailey and abortion, JB’s possible presidential run, Bears stadium, lefties and centrists and more. A former state rep, Christian is Governor Pritzker’s running mate in November’s election. 

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Just when you thought the Trumps couldn’t get any greedier, Jared and Ivanka invade Albania. Ben riffs. Rummana—aka, Chicago’s foremost authority on Mayor Mamdani—talks…Mayor Mamdani! He went 3 for 3 in Tuesday’s congressional primaries. What does that say about the future of American politics? Also, Rummana makes a prediction about the two sports known as football. Rummana is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Her views are her own.

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Trump’s wading-pool follies offer a needed laugh as the idiocy is high and the stakes are relatively low. Ben riffs. David Faris talks Trump’s War in Iran. Years of U.S. blundering and bullying and miscalculations leading to Trump’s inability to consider the consequences of bombing Iran. Finally, a few thoughts about George W. Bush, who has most definitely not earned a rehabilitation. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation. His views are his own.

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The NBA champion NY Knicks have a choice—follow their Trump-loving billionaire owner to the White House or stay far away and let the world know what they think of Trump. Ben riffs. Sergio predicts they won’t go. Then he tells you what you need to know about how Trump uses the UFC and the UFC uses Trump. It’s not pretty. Learn about Dana White, Ari Emanuel, Josh Hokit and that end-of-the-empire spectacle Trump threw for himself on the White House lawn. In contrast, there’s Mayor Mamdani’s speech at the Knick’s rally. Sergio hosts the Fights and Culture With Serg podcast. 

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The Supremes love reefer, though not as much as they love guns. Ben riffs. Attorney Jim Coogan updates us on the latest mis-justice of Trump’s “Justice” Department. Including…Broadview 6. IRS “settlement.” E Jean Carroll retribution. Also, Jim confronts the Bears question. Jim is managing partner Coogan Gallagher.

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