The Ben Joravsky Show

Trump declares war on Taylor Swift. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson, the country’s foremost authority on Trump, explains what he’s up to. Also, a few words from Yolanda, aka the nosy senior citizen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should the state hang portraits of officials who have dishonored their office. Like Speaker Michael Madigan. Rummana Hussain weighs in. Also a few words about the Epstein list. Which is not really a list. And why is it that Ben knows so much about football and nothing about fashion? Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategist Peter Cunningham talks crime in Chicago. Shootings and homicides are down. Why aren’t we celebrating? Mayor Johnson gives police a raise. Why aren’t they celebrating? And he tackles the Justin Fields question. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Committeeman Anthony Beale may be kicked off the ballot while MAGA cries Trump should remain on ballot, even if he breaks the rules. Ben riffs. Candis Castillo talks ballot access, Claudine Gay, MAGA’s blindness regarding slavery and much more. Including…was Mayor Rahm a better politician than Mayor Lightfoot? Candis is the political director for SEIU Healthcare. The views she expresses are strictly her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA loves Jeffrey Epstein. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks former Harvard president Claudine Gay, white people love affirmative action for white people, and Justin Fields. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The new year starts with so much potential and pain. Ben riffs. Marc Sims returns to talk crime, schools and integration. One thing all Chicagoans apparently agree on…they don’t want anything to do with anyone who doesn’t look like them. Marc is a podcaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bucks tell what looks to be a, uh, falsehood about firing their coach. Ben riffs. Monroe riffs on Ben’s riff, explaining the difference between lies and spin. Which brings us to Trump and Clinton and other liars in politics. Which leads to Monroe translating Nikki Haley’s latest dog whistle into plain English, just in case you missed the point. Also, a few thoughts on Tim Scott’s embarrassing grovel. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Darren Bailey shoots off his mouth and his guns, Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb talks all things politics. Including Trump, Biden, Claudine Guy and more. Much more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nikki Haley “forgets” that the south waged civil war to preserve slavery. Ben reminds her. Chris Scott talks politics as 2023 moves towards 2024. Are Democrats ready for the challenges ahead? Will America support an insurrectionist? The pros and cons of contested primaries. And more…Chris is the co-founder and president of Advance the Electorate PAC. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Ricky O'Donnell take the deep dive on everything you need to know about Bulls fans booing former general manager Jerry Krause at the recent Ring of Honor ceremony. It's basically Mean Girls, set at the United Center with grown ups, mostly men, doing the dirty deed. Ricky O'Donnell is the basketball editor at SB Nation. He also hosts his own podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain explains the dilemma Nikki Haley faces. In order to win MAGA votes she needs to declare that the US is racist free. Even as Trump plays the racist card to turn MAGA against her. Also, a look back on the joke that was Vivek’s wanna be MAGA presidential campaign. And several words in praise of E. Jean Carroll. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donald Trump release his bat-shit crazy Christmas greeting. Ben riffs. Sergio Vicente returns to talk Trump, Joe Rogan, Colby Covington and other lunatics. Aldo, why he wants Democrats to replace Biden with Newsom. Why he’d vote for Biden over Trump. And a few words about basketball, Sergio hosts The Fight Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana and Ben consider the twisted saga of Bridget and Christian Ziegler, the psycho MAGA couple in Florida—where else? She helped create the Moms for Liberty, a hate group. He’s been accused of rape. Also, a few words about Reservation Dogs and the Bulls. Yes, Rummana is going to a Bulls-Lakers game. Rummana Hussain is a columnist/editorial writer for the Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA caucus voters in Iowa toss around ballots like their confetti. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains why MAGA feels free to be so shamelessly hypocritical. Then Monroe asks the question: If almost 50 percent of GOP voters oppose Trump, why are almost all the GOP elected officials supporting him? Short answer—they’re scared. Finally, the great debate. Is Trump too incompetent to destroy democracy? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tuesday December 5 was First Tuesdays at the Night Hawk bar in Albany Park. The last First Tuesdays, at least for awhile. Maya and Ben welcomed Mick Dumke--who started the show with Ben back at the Hideout in 2014. Maya, Mick and Ben talk Chicago politics, then and now. And Mick addresses the Maya question--so named cause she came up with it. A great ending, at least temporarily, to a fabulous run. Maya Dukmasova is a reporter for Injustice Watch. Mick Dumke is a reporter for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.