Chicago’s comics and activists are dismantling Trump’s “war zone” myth with humor and facts.
Crime in the city is at a historic low — but propaganda keeps fueling fear for political gain.
Comedy, community, and resistance go hand in hand, from stages to protests.
Organizing joy and solidarity is the most Chicago way to fight fascism.
This week’s Punching Up was different — and powerfully so. What began as a one-on-one between
and comedian Steve Tapas became a Chicago roundtable of comics, activists, and candidates pushing back on Trump’s “war on blue cities.” From the “Apocalypse Now” reference in his threat to send troops into Chicago to Fox News’s recycled fear reels, the panel dismantled every layer of the propaganda with humor sharper than politics and pride deeper than fear. It wasn’t just about defending a city’s reputation — it was about exposing how disinformation turns communities into targets.Steve Tapas, opening from “the war zone,” deadpanned that it was actually “a very beautiful day,” with people “out walking their dogs” and the only plan on his mind being “to get a beer on a patio.” His point landed: Chicago is calm, proud, and alive despite the right-wing narrative that says otherwise. Comedian and Marine veteran John McCombs said Democrats need “fighters and communicators” — people who can connect, not just perform. And Janice Rodriguez, fresh from producing the Latina Comedy Festival, called her work “a little thing of resistance … just to laugh and have joy,” especially when her festival opened the same day ICE and local police escalated actions nearby.
Liz Manella, whose suburban organizing helped raise $11 million “in one hour” for Kamala Harris, brought the conversation north of the city limits — to the upscale suburb of Winnetka, where ICE was reported targeting nannies. She described the disbelief among residents “in our perfect bubble that we’ve paid to insulate from the outside world.” For Liz, that moment exposed how fragile the illusion of safety really is — and how quickly communities can turn fear into action. Lauren Lehman Carter, a former wedding planner turned activist, bridged logistics and resistance, now packing a protest backpack with “gas masks, granola bars,” and a solution to “neutralize tear gas.”
Together, they turned Trump’s “war zone” fantasy inside out. What he calls chaos looks a lot like democracy in motion — comedians, candidates, and citizens standing together, fighting fascism with empathy and laughter. Chicago doesn’t just endure; it leads.
Tune in for this fierce and funny episode of Punching Up with
, Steve Tapas, Janice Rodriguez, John McCombs, Liz Manella, and Lauren Lehman Carter.Chicago Knows Donald Trump. He's Like a Crooked Alderman on Steroids.
Donald Trump wants to send troops to Chicago. He says he’s being begged by “beautiful black women” to militarize our streets and make us safe from violent crime. It is a lie that no reporter, not in Chicago, not in Washington, and not on the Sunday news shows, should repeat.
