Mika Brzezinski chokes up on 'Morning Joe' after heartbreaking eulogy by Hersh Goldberg-Polin's mom

WASHINGTON, DC: Mika Brzezinski became visibly emotional on ‘Morning Joe’ after hearing the heart-rending eulogy delivered by Rachel Goldberg, the mother of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was tragically killed by Hamas.

During an attempted rescue by the Israeli Defense Forces in Rafah, Goldberg-Polin, a dual Israeli-American citizen, was murdered.

Mika Brzezinski gets emotional after heartbreaking eulogy by Hersh Goldberg-Polin's mother

In her poignant address, Rachel Goldberg expressed deep sorrow, saying her “sweet boy” was now “finally” free from the clutches of his captors.

“If there was something we could have done to save you and we didn’t think of it, I beg your forgiveness,” she implored, with a voice full of anguish. “We tried so very hard, so deeply and desperately… Finally, my sweet boy, finally, finally, finally, finally, you’re free.”

Rachel Goldberg also vowed her enduring love and grief, stating, “I will love you and I will miss you every single day for the rest of my life,” while visibly struggling to hold back tears.

As the emotional tribute aired, Mika Brzezinski was clearly moved. Once the segment ended, she spoke about the ongoing efforts by Israeli leaders to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Her voice quivered as she noted, “News of the killings has led to renewed criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.”

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of six hostages killed in Gaza, was celebrating his 23rd birthday on October 7, 2023 when he was kidnapped near the Nova music festival.

His body, along with others, was recovered by Israeli forces on Saturday. The funeral, held in Jerusalem, saw thousands of mourners pay their respects, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

'Morning Joe' lightens the mood with Donald Trump’s 'weave' explanation

In contrast to the emotional weight of the eulogy, another segment on Morning Joe took a lighter turn as the hosts discussed Donald Trump’s latest explanation for his speaking style.

Trump had described his approach as the “weave,” claiming that his tendency to touch on multiple topics simultaneously eventually ties together in a brilliant way. In a campaign speech in Pennsylvania, the former president explained, “Friends of mine that are English professors, they say, it’s the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen.”

Trump added, “But the fake news, you know what they say? He rambled.” He defended his style by insisting, “It’s not rambling.”

The panel, however, couldn’t resist mocking Trump’s description. After the clip from the campaign speech aired on 'Morning Joe', cohost Joe Scarborough couldn’t hold in his laughter.

“That is Donald Trump in front of a crowd in Pennsylvania, rambling incoherently. Part of a brilliant strategy he calls ‘the weave,’” Willie Geist quipped. “I like how he sort of lays it out like it’s from ‘A Beautiful Mind,’” Geist joked, suggesting that Trump perceives a coherence that others do not.

Scarborough humorously compared Trump’s speaking style to tripping while walking and then claiming it was intentional. “Well, I mean, it only makes sense,” Scarborough shot back. “His great, great uncle went to MIT”.

Geist added, “It also gets to the truth. Everything is in his head. He hears the criticism that he’s rambling.” He continued, “He projects and tries to explain it away to a crowd who doesn’t know what he is talking about.”

'Morning Joe' panel discusses Trump’s reaction to criticism

Jonathan Lemire pointed out that Trump feels he has to “respond to everything written or said about him,” adding, “He is undoubtedly watching right now, angry we’re talking about ‘the weave.’” Scarborough disagreed, asserting, “Donald Trump doesn’t hate that we’re talking about ‘the weave,’” he said.

“He loves that we’re talking … Because it, of course, underlines his theory that everything is together.”

Lemire compared Trump’s justification to “a stand-up comedian with a multi-part act, bringing home the punch line three jokes later, referring to the old one, the callback.”

“I’m still waiting for it,” Mika Brzezinski quipped.