The Socialist Program

‘Operation Paperclip’: How Nazis Built the US War Machine [Socialist History: S1 Episode 5 Preview] Aug 17, 2026 00:12:29 You may have heard that the US government recruited Nazi scientists to work for NASA, but did you know they also recruited them to experiment on US soldiers? Their recruitment was part of Operation Paperclip, and the scientists were only a fraction of this program. It also recruited Nazi SS spies and unleashed them into the Cold War, installed Nazi generals into top positions in West Germany and N

The Iran War Is Choking Japan’s Economy Aug 12, 2026 00:33:42 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spent billions of U.S. dollars to buy and prop up the Japanese currency, the yen. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker unpack the economic and geopolitical calculations of the Trump White House, and what it means for the US economy. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

Congress Just Subpoenaed BreakThrough News for Doing Journalism Jul 24, 2026 00:30:39 “It's kind of in the DNA of American bourgeois capitalist politics: demonize your enemy, call them a communist, and that's the end of the story. But there's another element, which is the Republican Party, the MAGA project, Project 2025 — the Trump White House is failing.” The House Ways and Means Committee has sent a subpoena to BreakThrough News, demanding internal communications, fin

Trump Admin Won’t Prosecute Corporate Drug Traffickers Jul 22, 2026 00:31:45 The Trump administration is catalyzing a longtime trend in the US where corporate criminals get a fine or nothing, while almost two million working class people sit behind bars. Professor Richard Wolff and producer Nicole Roussell discuss what this shows about the nature of the capitalist system and why we need socialism.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Dem

Repression & Revolution: ICE Kills Again & Bastille Day Jul 15, 2026 00:24:15 July 14 is Bastille Day, when the French stormed an armory and took up arms against the monarchy and opened the gates to a prison during the French Revolution. Guards opened fire and many died—but by August 4th, feudalism was abolished. In the midst of widespread killings by ICE, Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss repression, revolution, and our current moment.Professor Richard Wolff

Trump’s Brazen Corruption and Profiteering Reveal Reality of ‘U.S. Democracy' Jul 8, 2026 00:29:56 New financial disclosure documents reveal the extent of Trump’s profiteering through the office of the presidency. Trump made over $2 billion his first year back in office, including more than $1 billion from his promotion of a Trump cryptocurrency alone. Professor Richard Wolff and producer Nicole Roussell discuss.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy

Supreme Court Hands Trump Sweeping Authority Over Federal Agencies Jul 2, 2026 00:28:08 The Supreme Court just gave Trump the ability to dismiss the heads of supposedly independent agencies — overruling 91 years of precedent — with the exception of the Federal Reserve. Professor Richard Wolff and producer Nicole Roussell discuss the meaning of this ruling, as well as the birthright citizenship and campaign finance SCOTUS decisions this week.Professor Richard Wolff is an author &

Socialist History - Trailer Jun 30, 2026 00:01:22 Socialist History is an in-depth, immersive podcast that uncovers the real story of US imperialism through a socialist lens, told from the perspective of the people who fought back. Hosted by Layan Sima Fuleihan and Brian Becker, each episode reopens a hidden chapter of US imperialism and shows how it still shapes the world today. Don't let the empire whitewash its history. Get the Socialist H

'Project Iceworm': The Secret Nuclear City Under the Ice [Socialist History: S1 Episode 4 PREVIEW] Jun 30, 2026 00:05:56 In 1959 the US Army began building a base beneath the Greenland ice sheet, presented to the press, to Congress, and to the Danish government as a scientific research station. This was a cover story. The real plan, code-named Project Iceworm, was to bury a network of tunnels housing up to 600 nuclear missiles under the ice, invisible to Soviet satellites, on land taken from Indigenous people who we

'NSC-68': The Blueprint for Permanent War [Socialist History: S1 Episode 3] Jun 30, 2026 01:06:49 Most empires never write their plans down, but the American empire did. In 1950 a top-secret government document called NSC-68 laid out the blueprint for permanent war: a militarized economy, a nuclear buildup without limit, and a posture of global confrontation that would outlast the men who wrote it. It is the founding doctrine beneath every operation in this series.In this episode we take a dee

'Operation Mongoose': Washington's Secret War on Cuba [Socialist History: S1 Episode 2] Jun 30, 2026 00:50:28 In 1961 the United States launched the largest covert operation of the Cold War against a single country, a campaign of sabotage, terror, and assassination aimed at destroying the Cuban Revolution ninety miles from Florida. It was code-named Operation Mongoose. Alongside it, the Joint Chiefs of Staff drew up Operation Northwoods, a plan to stage terrorist attacks on American citizens and blame the

'Operation Ajax' in Iran: The CIA's Original Sin [Socialist History: S1 Episode 1] Jun 30, 2026 00:52:32 In 1953 the CIA secretly organized a coup to overthrow the democratically elected leader of Iran. This was the CIA's first regime change operation — code-named 'Operation Ajax' — becoming the playbook for later CIA operations. Its consequences are still reverberating around the world.In this episode we take a deep dive into how Operation Ajax was planned and executed, its motivations, the politica

Here Comes the Next Capitalist Economic Meltdown Jun 24, 2026 00:20:34 Big Tech stocks lost hundreds of billions in just two days. Prof. Richard Wolff and Brian Becker examine the multiple, cascading crises that are destabilizing the capital system.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 http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to ge

Socialism Is Making A Comeback In The Heart Of Global Capitalism Jun 17, 2026 00:20:21 According to a recent national survey, 62 percent of Americans aged 18–29 say they hold a “favorable view” of socialism, and 34 percent say the same of communism. Why is this happening inside the very center of the world capitalist system? And what does it mean for the future? Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization

Trump Is Stuck In A Foreign Policy Dead End Jun 10, 2026 00:26:37 Iran is outmaneuvering the United States and Trump is furious. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss the current war in Iran and the future of the globe – as Russia, China, Iran, and other countries start to pry control from the United States.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 Soc

Biggest Home Insurance Companies Denied Nearly Half of Last Year’s Claims Jun 3, 2026 00:26:01 A new Wall Street Journal study finds that the five biggest home insurers, Allstate, State Farm, Liberty Mutual, United Services Automobile Association, and Farmers Insurance, denied nearly half of all claims last year. The primary driver is an increase in deductibles, which insurers claim is being done to compensate for an increase in weather-related catastrophes. Professor Richard Wolff and prod

Iran War Causing ‘Fundamental Shift’ In How Resources Are Distributed w/ Prof. Richard Wolff May 27, 2026 00:32:37 According to the International Energy Agency, around 25% of the world's seaborne oil trade is transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, and the options to bypass it are limited. According to the UN Trade and Development Organization, around 30% of global seaborne fertilizer volumes pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Both have been significantly impacted by the US-Iran war. Professor Richard Wol

U.S. Inequality Can’t Be Propped Up By Force Alone w/ Prof. Richard Wolff May 20, 2026 00:32:57 Americans are increasingly struggling to make ends meet, while the rich get even richer. Professor Richard Wolff and producer Nicole Roussell debunk corporate media justifications for this inequality.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 http://www.patreon.com/the

US Claims Cuba Planning Drone Attack, While Actually Planning To Attack Cuba [Preview] May 18, 2026 00:07:13 Trump is planning the next war. The target is Cuba. Trump and his agents in the Pentagon and CIA are claiming that Cuba is threatening military action against the United States. The people in Cuba are preparing to resist and have said that they will fight to the death rather than surrender their independence and national sovereignty. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.This is a preview of a p

Iran: A Bigger Defeat Than Vietnam? [Preview] May 13, 2026 00:06:20 Robert Kagan, a leading architect of the 2003 Iraq invasion and the wider 'neocon' tendency in Washington, published an article this week titled 'Checkmate in Iran.' On today's show, Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss the latest headlines and react to this article, of which an excerpt reads:"The defeats in Vietnam and Afghanistan were costly but did not do lasting dam

Spirit Is Gone, But We Could Build A People’s Airline In The United States May 13, 2026 00:25:46 Low-cost Spirit Airlines has gone bankrupt and closed, and the idea of nationalizing the airline has become hugely popular. Professor Richard Wolff and producer Nicole Roussell discuss the mainstream media’s reaction, the feasibility of a nationalized airline, and how it could look and improve workers’ lives.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Wor

US Debt Surpasses GDP Due to War Spending: How Will Working People Be Affected? w/ Richard Wolff May 6, 2026 00:34:58 The ratio of U.S. government debt to GDP (gross domestic product) is now over 100% – meaning the U.S. government is in more debt than the size of the entire U.S. economy. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker break down why the U.S. government has gone into so much debt, and how it affects the working class.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at W

Iran Now Striking Gulf States as US Plans Ground Invasion w/ Prof. Mohammad Marandi May 4, 2026 00:46:29 As the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, and a US ground invasion of Iran seems imminent, Iran has now responded by striking US-allied countries in the region. Will Trump continue this profoundly unpopular war that is upending the global economy? Will it spiral out of control?Brian Becker is joined by Professor Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies who teaches at the U

Big Tech’s War Against Tech Workers Apr 29, 2026 00:25:55 Tech companies are laying off tens of thousands of workers — all while investing tens of billions of dollars into AI tech. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss the effects on the workforce and economy, and how a socialist society could handle new technology.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

US Corporations Are Getting Even Richer From The Iran War [Preview] Apr 27, 2026 00:05:37 The Military-Industrial-Tech Complex is using the Iran war to consolidate its power over US society and reap huge profits, even though the war is a strategic failure for the US. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.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 m

Iran War Sparks Global Energy Shock Apr 22, 2026 00:28:21 The Iran war has closed the Strait of Hormuz almost completely. The head of the International Energy Agency said that the war is causing the biggest energy crisis in history. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.

How Iran Really Views Trump's Erratic Statements and Threats [Preview] Apr 20, 2026 00:05:29 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 make this show possible.

Is It Trump Or Is It The System? w/ Prof. Wolff Apr 15, 2026 00:25:53 As highlighted by a New York Times report this week, the debate about Trump’s mental health has been revived. Trump posting memes of himself and Jesus and starting a regional war with Iran are certainly indicative that something is wrong. But polling across issues shows that U.S. residents are unhappy with this system as a whole. Professor Richard Wolff and producer Nicole Roussell discuss. Profes

Iran Will Not Surrender to Trump’s Gangster-Style Threats [Preview] Apr 13, 2026 00:05:00 The Islamabad talks collapsed. Twenty-one hours of negotiations in Pakistan, the first face-to-face between the US and Iran since 1979, and it ended with nothing. Oil futures jumped seven percent. And the President of the United States did all of this from a golf club in Florida after spending Saturday night at a UFC fight in Miami where the crowd booed him. And starting today, Monday, April 13th,

Trump’s Failed Fantasy In Iran [Preview] Apr 4, 2026 00:05:56 On Wednesday night, President Trump addressed the nation and issued what can only be described as a genocidal threat against Iran, saying: “We’re going to bring them back to the Stone Ages, where they belong.” He also claimed that the US is winning the war and that it should be over “very shortly”Today, a US F-15E fighter jet was shot down over Iran. Editor's Note: This episode was recorded a

Trump's Fake War Briefings and the $1.5 Billion 'Bet' [Preview] Mar 27, 2026 00:05:29 Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss what's happening behind the scenes in Trump's war room. This includes the Trump administration's possible collusion with a massive insider trading scheme.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 make this sho

Trump: Losing in Iran, Losing on Tariffs, Losing Public Opinion Mar 25, 2026 00:26:00 The U.S. economic crisis is worsening as Trump requests $200 billion more dollars to fund his war against the Iranian people, which has already killed at least 3,230 people in Iran and 13 U.S. soldiers. Trump is facing legal battles against his tariffs and public opinion is turning against him. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder o

The Human and Economic Toll of the War Is Mounting [Preview] Mar 20, 2026 00:04:20 More than fourteen hundred people have been killed in Iran, including over two hundred children. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed. Countries across Asia are rationing fuel, canceling thousands of flights, and closing schools to conserve energy. The Pentagon has asked the White House to approve a two hundred billion dollar funding request to Congress. The president told a rally crowd the

Trump's Iran War Has No Plan, No Exit, and No Victory in Sight Mar 13, 2026 00:30:27 Two weeks ago, the United States and Israel launched a massive bombing campaign against Iran, killing the Supreme Leader and many other political and military senior officials on the very first night and striking thousands of targets across the country. The administration said the war would be over in weeks. Trump said it was won in the first hour. Driven by extreme hubris, Donald Trump and his en

Trump’s War Is a Disaster for the Economy and Humanity, w/ Prof. Wolff Mar 11, 2026 00:37:59 Huge oil prices are hitting U.S. residents as Trump and Netanyahu’s war on Iran rages. This is the second time in recent history that Iran has been attacked while in negotiations with the U.S. or Israel, and officials are indicating they’re no longer interested in negotiations that lead nowhere.Professor Richard Wolff and Nicole Roussell, a producer of the show, discuss the consequences for worker

‘I Can Destroy The Country’ Trump Lashes Out After Tariffs Rebuked Feb 25, 2026 00:27:45 On Friday the right-wing Supreme Court delivered a stinging blow to Trump, ruling that his unilateral tariffs were unconstitutional. Trump claims he’s going ahead with more tariffs anyway, but economist Richard Wolff explains that they’ve already failed at their central economic premise.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his wo

Trump Guts EPA: ‘Make America More Polluted Again’? Feb 18, 2026 00:21:17 The Trump administration has revoked the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases, a major cause of climate change and millions of premature deaths from air pollution every year. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss why this is happening, and the even more dire level of air and water pollution in the United States before the EPA.Professor Richard Wolff is

How Capitalist Media Hides U.S. Imperialism in Plain Sight [Preview] Feb 17, 2026 00:17:45 Brian and Layan take a deep dive into how the capitalist-owned mainstream media conceals the truth about what motivates U.S. war-makers – and what they are hiding – by debunking the recent New York Times article titled: ‘Trump's Oil Grab in Venezuela Shatters an American Taboo’This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear the full

Despite Trump’s Total Fuel Blockade, Cuba Won’t Surrender Feb 12, 2026 00:32:30 Cuba is running out of fuel to power hospitals, schools, harvest crops, and transport basic goods — because Donald Trump has implemented a total fuel blockade against the island nation.Brian Becker is joined by Manolo De Los Santos, the executive director of The People’s Forum in New York, to discuss why Trump and the U.S. empire have targeted Cuba, and why people in Cuba are refusing to surrender

How US Capitalism Uses the Banking System to Coerce the Rest of the World Feb 11, 2026 00:28:00 More than 30% of countries around the world are facing severe US economic sanctions causing mass suffering, hunger, and death. From Cuba, to Venezuela, to the DPRK, and now even to traditional US allies who are being targeted with tariffs and other economic threats unless they bow to the demands of the Trump administration. Richard Wolff explains that these are the efforts of an empire that is in

Hidden Histories of Rebellion: How America Changed and Why Trump Will Fail [Preview] Feb 6, 2026 00:18:43 The Trump administration’s agenda has become unmistakable: attack the living legacy of the Civil Rights Revolution – both by trying to erase the historical memory of it, and by reversing the expansion of democracy that it won. Why are Trump and his billionaire backers so threatened by this legacy? What lessons does it have for us today? How does social change happen?This episode is built around a

U.S. General Strike Signals a New Day w/ Prof. Wolff Feb 4, 2026 00:20:52 On the heels of the Minnesota general strike on January 23rd, and a nationwide shutdown the following week in which millions participated, Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss the general strike tactic. How has it been used in the United States and elsewhere? Can it tip the scales against the Trump administration's attempts to roll back the gains of the Civil Rights Movement?Profes

Why The Ruling Class Fears A General Strike Jan 31, 2026 00:40:45 One week ago, there was a general strike in Minneapolis against ICE Terror. The following morning, ICE agents executed ICU nurse Alex Pretti. They wanted to intimidate this new mass movement. But that failed. Today hundreds of thousands marched and millions participated in a nationwide shutdown against ICE; no work, no school, no shopping. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss, recording this ep

Workers Shut Down the Twin Cities and Say No to ICE [Preview] Jan 24, 2026 00:10:17 The United States may be entering a new era of labor militancy. A general strike led by labor, community organizations, small businesses, student groups, and faith-based leaders has shut down Minnesota, in protest against the terror campaign launched by thousands of ICE agents in recent weeks. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https:/

Trump Threatens Greenland: The Start of World War 3? w/ Richard Wolff Jan 21, 2026 00:26:36 Imperialism in the 21st Century is starting to look like the imperialism of the early 20th century as Donald Trump ramped up his demand to seize Greenland from Denmark. Professor Richard Wolff and Brian Becker discuss how capitalist competition led to two catastrophic world wars in the first half of the 20th Century, and how similar competitive pressures are taking shape today. Professor Richard W

Minneapolis Fights Back While Trump Threatens To Invoke The Insurrection Act [Preview] Jan 16, 2026 00:11:06 As thousands of ICE agents continue their rampage in Minneapolis, the people are preparing for an even larger fightback that could reshape politics in the United States. Elon Musk endorses a call for martial law, and President Trump threatens the Insurrection Act to deploy the US military against the people of the United States. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.This is a preview of a patron

Trump Says Cuba Is Next After Venezuela Attack. Population Armed to Defend Country Jan 16, 2026 00:31:38 Trump ordered the massive bombing of Iran in June. Next he bombed Venezuela and kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026. Is Trump now setting his imperial sights on Cuba?Brian Becker is joined by Manolo De Los Santos, the executive director of The People’s Forum in New York.Join the The Socialist Program community at http://www.patreon.com/thesocialistprogram to get exclusive

ICE Terror Is a Sign of Trump's Desperation. A General Strike Can Turn the Tables w/ Richard Wolff Jan 13, 2026 00:23:31 The United States is at a boiling point after the ICE killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Cities across the country are under attack from Trump’s federal ICE agent police force, and hundreds of thousands protested this ICE invasion this past weekend. Brian and Prof. Wolff discuss the struggle that is heating up.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy a

Why The War Powers Resolution Won't Stop Trump By Itself [Preview] Jan 10, 2026 00:10:11 Masked ICE agents are on a rampage in Minneapolis, in Portland, and throughout the United States. The Trump White House and the Pentagon have seized the fifth oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil. Brian Becker and Layan Fuleihan discuss.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 co

‘Venezuela’s Revolution Still Stands,’ Even With Gun to Its Head Jan 8, 2026 00:51:38 After the January 3rd bombing of Venezuelan neighborhoods, military facilities and the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, the Trump White House and Pentagon are still imposing a full scale naval blockade against Venezuela. The Trump administration is claiming they’ve fundamentally changed the Venezuelan government but the facts don’t bear this out. Many of the o

Attacking Venezuela is a Repeat of 1930s History w/ Richard Wolff Jan 7, 2026 00:30:00 Trump, Steven Miller, and other top administration officials are claiming that they are “running Venezuela,” taking over the country and its vast oil reserves. That’s not true, the Venezuelan government remains intact, but they are imposing a full naval blockade on the country in an effort to completely shut down Venezuela’s economy. The Trump admin also intends to conquer Greenland by one means o

‘I Am the President of Venezuela,’ a Defiant Maduro Appears in NYC Court Jan 6, 2026 00:51:51 Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared in a U.S. court in New York City earlier today following the illegal kidnapping of Venezuela's president. Donald Trump has now acknowledged that he consulted with U.S. oil monopolies before and after the attack on Venezuela. The U.S. Congress did not authorize this attack, and Trump, while consulting with the oil company executives, refused to

How Trump Promised Peace But Ramped Up Militarism at Home and Abroad [Preview] Dec 30, 2025 00:10:21 Brian and Layan review the year of 2025 under the Trump regime – including his lies about being a ‘peace president’ – and what to expect in 2026. 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 make this show possible.

From the Palmer Raids to COINTELPRO: The War Against American Socialism and Communism Dec 26, 2025 00:48:58 Brian speaks with author and historian Aaron Leonard about his book "Menace of Our Time: The Long War Against American Communism.” Leonard’s book is a riveting account of the extraordinary efforts by politicians. At the moment that the Trump White House is issuing Executive orders deeming people with anti-capitalist views as domestic terrorists it is important to learn about the history of a

Inside Trump's Venezuela War and Year One Failures [Preview] Dec 23, 2025 00:13:47 Donald Trump and the Pentagon are at war, once again, this time against Venezuela, and this war is widening. As the year 2025 comes to an end, Donald Trump is taking to the airwaves to talk about his “wonderful achievements.” But what really happened in 2025? And what’s next for the Trump administration and the people’s movement for social justice?This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subsc

Venezuela to Trump’s ‘Total Blockade’: You Will Never Colonize Us Dec 17, 2025 00:24:50 Brian Becker is joined by Manolo De Los Santos of The People’s Forum to discuss Trump’s “total blockade” against Venezuela — an “act of war” targeting oil tankers and ports, according to members of Congress as they vote on a War Powers Resolution to prevent the president’s attacks from escalating even further. De Los Santos also reviews Venezuela’s response to Trump’s attacks, as well as its histo

Exposing Trump’s Latin America Policy and Why It Will Fail w/ Richard Wolff Dec 17, 2025 00:29:46 Economist Richard Wolff joins Brian Becker to discuss President Trump’s resurrection of the Monroe Doctrine and pivot to Latin America, aimed squarely at pushing China out of the Western hemisphere — and why the strategy will fail.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 communit

‘A+++++’ for Whom? Trump's Week of Delusions [Preview] Dec 12, 2025 00:14:11 The Trump White House engages in straight out piracy by seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker on its way to Cuba. Donald Trump says he’s giving the economy an “A+++++” grade under his administration. Millions of people are about to lose healthcare, and Trump’s approval rating is headed towards the basement. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Fuleihan to discuss.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode.

Trump Seizes Oil Tanker — ‘No War on Venezuela!’ [Preview] Dec 11, 2025 00:10:22 In the wake of the powerful Nationwide Day of Action for "No War on Venezuela" where over 65 cities mobilized to demand an end to the US war drive on Venezuela, we gather again to assess the current moment and chart the path forward.This is a podcast version of last night's webinar, providing a space to evaluate the impact of our mobilizations against a potential war with Venezuela a

Same Empire, New Rhetoric: Inside Trump's Security Strategy [Preview] Dec 9, 2025 00:10:04 Every four years, the U.S. government releases something called a ‘National Security Strategy’ (NSS). The Trump administration released its NSS in the last few days, and the media in the U.S. and all over the world is buzzing about what this strategy means. Today, we will talk about some of its key positions and answer the question: do they constitute a new foreign policy for the United States? Br

Monroe Doctrine 1823 To Trump Doctrine 2025 [Preview] Dec 6, 2025 00:13:55 Donald Trump this week went on an all-out racist tirade against Somali Americans as ICE agents descend on Minneapolis, New Orleans, and other cities to carry out mass arrests of immigrant workers. People all over the United States are taking to the streets on Saturday December 6 in protest against a new US war, this time in Latin America against the people of Venezuela. Brian Becker is joined by L

‘You DON’T Want Lower Prices’? Economist Richard Wolff Rips WaPo Propaganda Dec 3, 2025 00:26:05 Billionaire Jeff Bezo’s Washington Post published a jaw-dropping article this week with the headline: ‘Why you may not want lower prices as much as you think you do.’ Economist Richard Wolff joins Brian Becker to debunk this claim. 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 communi

Trump Escalates Lies and War Threats On Venezuela; Plans Mass Deportations After DC Shooting [Preview] Nov 30, 2025 00:12:55 Following the targeted shooting of two National Guard members in Washington DC, Donald Trump pledges to end all immigration from the so-called “third world.” Trump has also declared Venezuela’s airspace to be off-limits to all airlines as the US threatens a new war, this time, in Latin America. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Fuleihan to discuss.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscri

U.S. Capitalism Born in Blood: From the First Thanksgiving to Today w/ Dr. Gerald Horne [Preview] Nov 27, 2025 00:15:40 Karl Marx wrote in Capital that capitalism came into the world “dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and dirt.” The Thanksgiving holiday is built around an insidious and false creation myth -- that the so-called “settling” of North America was a peaceful and amicable process. But in reality, the genocidal expansion of colonialism across the continent led to unspeakable suffering

Millions Set to Lose Health Care in USA, w/ Professor Wolff Nov 26, 2025 00:29:33 Millions of working class people in the U.S. will lose their health insurance coverage in the coming weeks. Brian and Professor Wolff discuss how both ruling-class parties are acting as agents of corporate capitalism while millions of people have been evicted from Medicaid and 22 million more are facing a doubling of their monthly premium costs which will leave 37 million Americans unable to see

How Trump Got The UN To Approve U.S. Control of Gaza [Preview] Nov 22, 2025 00:08:51 The Trump White House has pushed a new resolution UN Security Council hands control of Gaza to an international body that will be chaired—according to Donald Trump—by Donald Trump. Meanwhile, as winter approaches, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza remain without shelter and without food.Layan Fuleihan is joined by Taher Dahleh, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, to discu

How an AI Bubble Crash Could Be Worse Than the Great Depression w/ Prof. Wolff Nov 19, 2025 00:29:57 The stock market has plunged several days in a row due to fears of the overinvested AI bubble bursting. Nicole Roussell, a producer of the show, and Professor Wolff discuss how the next stock market crash could cause an economic collapse even more devastating than the worst in capitalism’s history: the Great Depression.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democ

The Economic Motives Driving the US Toward War Against Venezuela [Preview] Nov 14, 2025 00:10:16 The Trump administration and the pro-imperialist Venezuelan opposition are making plans for war against Venezuela. Behind the scenes, corporate capitalism is salivating over the possibility of seizing Venezuela’s vast natural resources. Brian Becker is joined by Layan Fuleihan to discuss.This is a preview of a patrons-only episode. Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/TheSocialistProgram to hear t

Government Shutdown or General Strike? How to Fight Trump’s Agenda Nov 12, 2025 00:30:50 Democrats caved and health insurance premiums could more than double on average. Brian and Professor Wolff discuss the aftermath of the government shutdown, why it happened, and why it failed.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 http://www.patreon.com/thesocialis

Practical and Theoretical Implications of Mamdani’s Victory for the Socialist Movement [FULL] Nov 8, 2025 00:39:07 Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani received more than a million votes as he won the New York city mayoral election this week. Today we will talk about the practical implications of Mamdani's victory, how the ruling class in New York is likely to react to his election, and some of the strategic and theoretical questions for socialists as it regards elections and what political power actually m

Practical and Theoretical Implications of Mamdani’s Victory for the Socialist Movement [Preview] Nov 8, 2025 00:11:38 Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani received more than a million votes as he won the New York city mayoral election this week. Today we will talk about the practical implications of Mamdani's victory, how the ruling class in New York is likely to react to his election, and some of the strategic and theoretical questions for socialists as it regards elections and what political power actually means

Mamdani’s Campaign and Socialism’s Comeback in the USA Nov 4, 2025 00:27:25 The ruling class mainstream media and the the Trump White House are “warning” of the dangers of Zohran Mamdani’s socialist politics. In spite of the ruling class pushback, many of his policies, like taxing the rich, are wildly popular—and not just in New York City.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Join

The World Stands With Cuba, Trump Prepares For War On Venezuela [Preview] Oct 31, 2025 00:11:25 The United Nations voted overwhelmingly, again, 165 to 7, to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba, with the U.S. and Israel voting against. This is as the one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit Cuba causes massive destruction but no deaths due to the country’s organization.Plus, the Miami Herald is reporting that the Trump administration has approved military strikes on Venezuela, which could com

Will Trump Invade Venezuela? + Debunking Pro-War Lies w/ Zoe Alexandra Oct 30, 2025 00:40:50 Trump has sent an aircraft carrier, ten thousand troops, and eight warships into the Caribbean to terrorize Venezuela – and now Colombia – into submission. Will Trump actually launch a full military invasion?Brian Becker is joined by Zoe Alexandra, the Editor-in-Chief of Peoples Dispatch (peoplesdispatch.org), and co-host of the podcast Give the People What They Want!Join the The Socialist Program

What is Socialism? Part 3: The 4 Waves of Socialism w/ Prof. Wolff Oct 29, 2025 00:26:54 This is part three of our Explaining Socialism Series. In this episode, Prof. Richard Wolff and Brian discuss how socialism has evolved as a concept, doctrine, and guide to action over a longer historical period.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 http://www.pat

The Secret Legal Office Giving Trump the Green Light for Murder [Preview] Oct 25, 2025 00:08:37 Since early September, U.S. forces have carried out nine strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing as many as 40 individuals. Donald Trump says the strikes are legal, and that the boats were trafficking drugs, but he has not offered evidence to make his claim. This is an act of lawlessness. Is it a precursor to a bigger war with Venezuela? Brian Becker is joined by Layan Fuleihan to d

What Is Socialism? Part 2, w/ Prof. Richard Wolff Oct 22, 2025 00:33:09 The anti-socialism that the U.S. elite have instilled is breaking down, especially among young people. As the Trump administration tears away our democratic rights, it’s becoming ever more clear that we need a new system where our rights can’t be taken away. What is socialism? What is communism? Prof. Richard Wolff & Brian discuss what socialism and communism are, democratizing the workplace a

The Mass Movement will Defeat Trump’s Agenda: Can There be a General Strike in the US? [Preview] Oct 17, 2025 00:07:58 On Saturday, October 18, millions of people are expected to take to the streets for what is known as No Kings Day. The Trump White House and right wing governors around the country are treating people in the United States who engage in protest and dissent against the government’s policies as enemy combatants rather than people exercising their First Amendment right to free speech. Brian and Layan

Lee Camp on Why American Jews Have Turned Against Israel Oct 16, 2025 00:43:26 After two years of horrific and criminal genocide and assault on Gaza, there is now a ceasefire. Israel is committing more crimes against Palestinians, but mass public opinion has majorly shifted, changing the balance of forces. On the home front, the Trump White House is waging a war against immigrant families, and basic democratic rights. Brian Becker is joined by Lee Camp, a comedian, political

What Is Socialism? Puncturing Anti-Communist Myths w/ Prof. Wolff Oct 15, 2025 00:30:16 What is socialism? Did it fail? Prof. Richard Wolff & Brian discuss what socialism means, compare government systems like China, Cuba, and the USSR, and consider what elements constitute socialism.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 http://www.patreon.com/th

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