The Socialist Program with Brian Becker

For the past year, Elon Musk and Donald Trump have functioned as a team. Musk financed Trump's presidential campaign. They worked together after Trump's election to fire hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, to attack all vestiges or reforms from the Civil Rights movement, to carry out a huge transfer of wealth from the working class and poor people to billionaires. Yesterday, their partnership blew up, at least temporarily, as they launched public attacks against each other. Brian and Layan discuss the Trump-Musk fallout, the escalation of the Ukraine war, and reports that Israel is financing ISIS in Gaza.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 www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.

6 Kesä 11min

Are enormous cuts to Medicaid and food stamps coming? The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would make historically large cuts to both programs, which will result in millions losing access to health insurance and food stamps, now known as SNAP. These cuts will also effectively slash subsidies to retailers, farmers, food producers, and the health care industry—while the economy is already floundering from tariffs, as shown by a new financial forecast from the OECD.Nicole Roussell and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the horrendous effects this will have on people, the economy, and our society, and what could stop them from happening.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.

4 Kesä 29min

The Trump Administration is demanding the revocation of visas for all Chinese students. The courts challenge Trump’s tariffs. Is a ceasefire in Gaza coming? Can a general strike happen in the US? Brian and Layan take listener questions and discuss these topics and more.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 https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full episode, get access to all our patrons-only content, and help keep this show on the air.

31 Touko 12min

Trump threatened Europe with tariffs and stocks plummeted. He paused them and stocks climbed. Now the EU says they are ready for “fast track talks.” Is Europe bowing to Trump?Brian Becker and Professor Richard Wolff discuss what’s going on between the Trump Administration, Europe, the elites, and what it means for workers.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join the The Socialist Program community at www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.

28 Touko 37min

Congressman Randy Fine calls for Gaza’s nuclear annihilation, the Trump administration tries to bar international students from going to Harvard, Trump threatens even more tariffs, NATO leader calls for an even stronger NATO, and more.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, and help keep this show on the air.

24 Touko 12min

College graduation ceremonies are turning into hotbeds of protest against the complicity of university administrations and the U.S. government in suppressing dissent on college campuses. Project 2025 outlined the plan to repress and suppress pro-Palestinian protest as part of their larger project to crush democracy inside the United States. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan field questions from listeners on these topics and more in this episode.Have your own question for the show? Send us a voice memo on Telegram @TheSocProgram or leave a voicemail at +13028034804 and you might hear your question on air!Join the The Socialist Program community at www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.

22 Touko 46min

Trump went to the Middle East this week, securing trillions in investment commitments that will line the pockets of the capitalists but do nothing to solve the dire crises in the United States. He also publicly denounced U.S. intervention in the Middle East, but then declared his intention to turn Gaza into a US-controlled “freedom zone.” Brian and Layan discuss Trump's Middle East trip, the dangerous chaos at Newark airport, and more.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, and help keep this show on the air.

17 Touko 12min

Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan field questions from listeners on the AI hype, Trump charting a new U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, a socialist view of organizing tactics, and more. Have your own question for the show? Send us a voice memo on Telegram @TheSocProgram or leave a voicemail at +13028034804 and you might hear your question on air!Join the The Socialist Program community at www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive content and help keep this show on the air.

15 Touko 1h 11min