The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

The Trump administration is cancelling $400 million in contracts with Columbia University because it says the university is not protecting Jewish students, and students who were protesting Israel’s genocide in Gaza are being targeted in a new wave of repression. We discuss this and more breaking news.Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, a popular educator, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content including live Q&A seminars with Brian Becker, and help keep this show on the air.

In his address to Congress yesterday, Trump declared war on immigrants, civil rights reforms, Mexico, Canada, Denmark, Panama, social service programs, and more. Meanwhile, the Democrats only put up nominal, performative resistance — in keeping with their “play dead” strategy. Brian is joined by Dr. Nazia Kazi, a professor of Anthropology at Stockton University, and author of the book “Islamophobia, Race, and Global Politics.”Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join and submit questions to the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

On today's episode, Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the decline in the economy, the increase in the cost of basic goods like eggs, the major downward shifts in the European economies, and the impact of Trump's tariffs on U.S. workers.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent, high-quality shows. All Patreon donors of $5 a month or more are invited to join the monthly Q&A seminar with Brian.

Trump and Netanyahu are working together to sabotage the ceasefire agreement and block all humanitarian aid to Gaza, while Palestinian children are freezing and starving to death. Brian and Layan also discuss the latest wave of wildfires in the Carolinas and how Musk’s mass firings created a crisis in a nuclear weapons facility.Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer with the Shut It Down for Palestine coalition, a popular educator, the Education Director at The People’s Forum, and an editor at 1804 Books.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content including live Q&A seminars with Brian Becker, and help keep this show on the air.

Eugene Puryear, an author and political organizer, dives into the implications of recent Trump administration policies in this engaging conversation. He discusses the controversial wealth redistribution favoring the wealthy at the expense of social services, leading to rising discontent among everyday Americans. Puryear highlights town hall frustrations and the adverse effects of budget cuts on working-class families. He also sheds light on the manipulation of social issues by elites, the importance of collective action, and the intertwining struggles for justice and equality.

In this discussion, Professor Richard Wolff, an economic analyst and co-founder of Democracy at Work, dives into the recent German elections. He highlights the decline of traditional left-center parties and the surprising rise of the far-right AFD. Wolff also examines the shifting dynamics of U.S. influence on Germany, revealing how American billionaires affect political sentiments. Additionally, he explores the economic contributions of young migrants and the evolving support for leftist parties among younger voters in Europe.

Richard Wolff, a Professor and co-founder of Democracy at Work, dives into the alarming cuts to the federal workforce under the Trump administration. He critiques the capitalist system that prioritizes profit over essential services, linking rising credit card interest rates to increasing consumer debt and financial strain. The discussion reveals how political alliances favor elite interests while ignoring the needs of the public. Wolff also highlights the broader implications of America's shifting global stance, particularly in light of rising tensions with China.

Layan Sima Fuleihan, a Palestinian organizer and educator, sheds light on urgent issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She and Brian discuss the fragile ceasefire and Trump's provocative threats about Gaza. The conversation delves into the complexities of hostage negotiations and how recent U.S. rhetoric contrasts with Egyptian public sentiment regarding Palestinian displacement. They also explore the class divide within the Arab world and the regional responses to ongoing tensions, highlighting solidarity amidst political challenges.

The hosts delve into the far-right billionaire agenda represented by figures like Trump and Musk, exploring their potential influence on U.S. policies. They discuss alarming propositions regarding Gaza and the implications for the Middle East. The impact of Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance is analyzed alongside a critique of USAID cuts. Additionally, they examine the idea of a shadow cabinet among Democrats and highlight Zohran Mamdani's mayoral run in New York, all while addressing the threats to civil rights in today’s political landscape.

Economics guru Richard Wolff joins to discuss Elon Musk's controversial influence on federal policy and the alarming trend of corporate power overreach. He critiques Musk's push against federal workers and agencies, highlighting the potential threats to democracy. The conversation shifts to the growing grassroots resistance and the urgent need for systemic change as people band together against political power grabs. Wolff also warns of a dangerous consolidation of wealth and the implications of economic monopolies for democracy.