Another tense moment occurred during the afternoon’s second panel when Andrea Mitchell alluded to the Israel-Hamas war—a subject that remains a lightening rod in progressive circles. The Andrea Mitchell Reports host acknowledged both sides of the debate, emphasizing the horror of the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel by Hamas, while also calling attention to the ongoing human rights crisis in Gaza.
Apart from some scattered applause, Mitchell’s comments were largely met with stony silence and panel emcee Jen Psaki quickly pivoted to other topics. The issue wasn’t addressed again for the rest of the afternoon.
Leave it to Brooklyn’s own Joy Reid to get BAM’s pulse racing again. Taking the stage with Alex Wagner, The ReidOut host received a Luke Skywalker-style hero’s welcome, with multiple audience members leaping up from their seats and shouting her name.
The pair rewarded the crowd with the loosest and most laugh-filled panel of the afternoon, recapping their experience at the 2024 Democratic National Convention—including that famous potato chip pic—and lavishing praise on President Joe Biden for choosing to step down from the race and handing the baton to Harris.
Reid’s rock star status in her home borough was confirmed in a jam-packed meet-and-greet session with fans held after the afternoon session wrapped up. “I watch your show every night!” one devoted viewer could be heard hollering at Reid over the din of the crowd.