Steve Benson, former cartoonist for the Arizona Republic, a fierce critic of the Mormon Church despite his family’s prominence within it, and a notable creator of controversial cartoons during the 1990s and 2000s, has passed away. Born in 1954, Benson began his career at the Arizona Republic in 1980, where he won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1993. His work sparked debate, reflecting his acidic stance on political and social issues, including his public critiques of the Mormon Church, which led to personal shunning and professional tensions. On the “DMZ America Podcast,” fellow political cartoonists Scott Stantis and Ted Rall discuss Benson’s life as they knew their colleague, both professionally and personally.

For Scott, who was deeply wronged by Benson, this news carries a complexity that those left behind are rarely permitted to acknowledge, let alone discuss publicly. On DMZ, we explore that strange feeling when someone who passes leaves behind a mixed legacy.

Tune in for a thoughtful, intelligent discussion about humanity and death.

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The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com

Hey Elon! You’re going to need this history lesson. On the “DMZ America Podcast, Ted Rall (Left) and Scott Stantis (Right) consider the prospects for Elon Musk’s “America Party” and the wild ride of third parties in U.S. politics! On Saturday, Musk, the billionaire disruptor, announced the launch of his “America Party” after blasting Trump’s $3.3 trillion spending bill as “criminal.” Promising fiscal restraint and liberty, his party has MAGA World furious, with critics like Steve Bannon seriously annoyed. Third parties, like Perot’s Reform Party, Greens, Prohibition Party and Eugene Debs’ Socialist Party often shake things up but tend to crash against America’s winner-takes-all electoral college system. Can Musk’s cash and clout change the game, or will it fracture the Right? Does this flaky dude have the followthrough necessary to see this project through? Ted and Scott dive into the facts, the beef, and the history without pulling punches. This ain’t your average political chat—expect straight-up analysis off why third parties have an uphill battle under our system!

Plus:

Texas floods devastate communities, with relief efforts lagging amid chaos. And there’s little to reason to think it won’t happen again.

The Trumpies’ embrace of cruelty, especially against trans soldiers and migrants, sparks debate: can America heal from this?

Support Civilized Discourse on the DMZ America Podcast!

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The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com

In a stunning upset, 33-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani clinched the Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a centrist heavyweight backed by billionaire donors. Mamdani’s victory, declared on June 24, 2025, after Cuomo conceded, marks a seismic shift in the city’s politics, fueled by a progressive surge and ranked-choice voting. His grassroots campaign, emphasizing rent freezes, free public transit, and affordability, resonated with young and marginalized voters, drawing endorsements from figures like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Despite Cuomo’s early lead and establishment support, including from Bill Clinton and Michael Bloomberg, Mamdani’s momentum—bolstered by over $7 million from 16,000+ donors—overturned expectations.

The race was volatile, with incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, indicted on corruption charges, opting to run as an independent after exiting the Democratic primary. Adams’ unpopularity and the dismissal of his charges in April reshaped the contest, setting up a potential four-way general election in November against Mamdani, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and independent Jim Walden. Mamdani’s lead in the primary, where over 1 million voted, signals a generational revolt against the Democratic old guard. His platform, rooted in social justice and affordability, could redefine New York’s future, though his progressive stance may polarize voters in the general election. This upset underscores the city’s appetite for change amid rising costs and political disillusionment.

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The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com

Get ready for an explosive episode of the “DMZ America Podcast,” where Left-leaning editorial cartoonist Ted Rall and Right-wing cartoonist Scott Stantis tackle the hottest geopolitical mess of the moment: Should Donald Trump throw the U.S. into Israel’s unprovoked air war against Iran? The past 24 hours have been wild—Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear sites, Iran retaliated with missiles that struck an Israeli hospital, and Trump’s White House announced that the president will decide within two weeks whether to join the war against Iran with 30,000 megabombs. With global powers like Russia and China both sides to de-escalate and Congress pushing to limit Trump’s war powers, insiders like DNI Tusli Gabbard warn that World War III could happen any moment. Ted and Scott break down the situation, slicing through the noise with their no-holds-barred takes and deep dives into historical precedent. Expect a raw, unfiltered clash of perspectives as two friends with very different views of Israel grapple with Trump’s next move and what it means for America and the world. Tune in for a convo that’s as intense as the headlines!

Support Civilized Discourse on the DMZ America Podcast!

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The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com

Time for the “DMZ America Podcast,” where best friends from opposite politics come together. Left-wing firebrand Ted Rall and right-wing sharp-shooter Scott Stantis dive headfirst into the wild revelations about Joe Biden’s mental acuity and physical state, as exposed in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s explosive book, “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.” Joined by political scientist Charles Lipson, the trio unpacks the alleged cover-up that hid Biden’s condition from voters, donors, and even insiders, fueling a political scandal that’s rocking the nation.

This no-BS discussion cuts through the spin, exposing the raw truth behind a deception that tanked Biden’s campaign and reshaped America’s trust in its leaders. With Lipson’s expert insight, Rall’s progressive grit, and Stantis’ conservative edge, expect a fierce, bipartisan takedown of a constitutional crisis that’s got everyone talking. The “DMZ America Podcast” is your go-to for unfiltered takes on news, politics, and culture, recorded weekly by two cartoonists who don’t mess around. Don’t miss this electrifying episode—it’s a must-listen for anyone who cares about truth in politics!

Support Civilized Discourse on the DMZ America Podcast!

Support the show

The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com

It's time for a payback episode of the "DMZ America Podcast"! Hosts Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) dive into the jaw-dropping revelations of Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.

The book confirms what Ted and Scott have been shouting from the rooftops for years: Joe Biden’s mental and physical decline started as early as 2015, after Beau’s death, with telltale signs like forgetting aides’ names, losing focus, and even blanking on George Clooney at a 2024 fundraiser. Despite being mocked and slammed as “conspiracy nuts,” Ted and Scott stuck to their guns, and now Tapper’s exposé backs them up, detailing a calculated cover-up by Biden’s family and aides to hide his condition from voters, donors, and even Cabinet members.

This deception propped up Biden’s doomed reelection campaign, crashing in a debate disaster that paved the way for Trump’s comeback. Critics now blast Tapper for cashing in on a story some say he soft-pedaled before the election, while Biden’s team calls the claims overblown, insisting he led effectively. Ted and Scott unpack the facts, the vindication, and the fallout for America’s political trust. This ain’t just a podcast—it’s a no-BS reckoning of a scandal that’s got the nation buzzing. Tune in for a raw, bipartisan take that cuts through the spin!

The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com

This week’s DMZ America podcast delivers a compelling deep dive into the Supreme Court’s high-stakes oral arguments on national stays, separation of powers, and the 14th Amendment. Hosts Ted Rall and Scott Stantis, joined by legal expert Ricardo Aparicio, unpack a case that could reshape the core of American governance. The Court is grappling with the controversial use of nationwide injunctions that halt federal policies, the boundaries of authority between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and the 14th Amendment’s role in safeguarding rights in today’s polarized climate.

These arguments strike at the heart of how power is balanced and how laws are enforced across the nation. With the potential to set precedents that will echo for decades, the outcome could redefine judicial reach and constitutional interpretation. What’s at stake for democracy when the justices weigh these monumental issues? How will their rulings impact the fabric of American law? Tune in for an incisive, serious discussion that cuts through the complexity, offering sharp insights into a defining moment for the nation’s highest court.

The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com

Join Ted Rall and Scott Stantis as they dive into the enduring lessons of the Vietnam War, marking 50 years since the fall of Saigon. This episode unpacks America’s failure to learn from defeat, exploring the universal value of self-determination, the pitfalls of military hegemony, and the staggering costs of war—$1 trillion in today’s dollars, millions of lives lost, and a legacy of PTSD and neglected infrastructure. From the haunting parallels in Iraq and Afghanistan to the historical ramifications of colonial powers like the Netherlands and France, who turned defeat into domestic renewal, Rall and Stantis challenge us to rethink America’s global role. Tune in for a raw, thought-provoking left-vs-right dialogue on how the U.S. can finally accept defeat and invest in its own future.

The DMZ America Podcast is recorded weekly by political cartoonists Ted Rall and Scott Stantis.

Twitter/X: @scottstantis and @tedrall

Web: Rall.com