About this episode
In this in-depth "Basement Series" interview, Joy Reid sits down with former Congresswoman Cori Bush for a powerful and personal conversation about her time in "The Squad," the monumental forces that worked to oust her, and why she's running to reclaim her seat. Cori opens up about the $15 million Apac-backed campaign that defeated her, revealing the direct threats she received for advocating a Gaza ceasefire and the pressure from within her own party to stay silent. She details her complicated relationship with Wesley Bell, who assured her he wouldn't run against her before a pro-Israel-backed primary challenge. Bush also addresses the DOJ investigation into her husband and security services, her activism rooted in the Ferguson uprising, and the urgent need for a Democratic Party that fights unapologetically for the poor and marginalized. This is a raw look at the realities of power, money, and resistance in modern American politics. SUBSCRIBE to never miss a moment!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJoyReidShow?sub_confirmation=1#JoyReidShow #JoyAnnReid #TheJoyReidShow #JoyReid #JoyReidYouTube #CoriBush #APAC #thesquad Chapters: 0:00 Introduction: The Political Legacy of MO's 1st District 4:20 Cori Bush's 2026 Campaign Announcement 7:06 Interview Start: Why She's Running Again 9:22 The Implied Contrast with Current Rep. Wesley Bell 12:45 The Recorded Phone Call with Wesley Bell 17:36 The Gaza Ceasefire Resolution and Death Threats 25:16 Wesley Bell's Pivot and Apac's $15 Million Campaign 33:11 The Inside View of Apac's Power and Tactics 39:04 The 2021 Infrastructure Bill and Betrayal of Build Back Better 44:49 The Democratic Party's Disconnect from Poverty 54:16 Meeting Her Husband and The Security Ethics Investigation 59:40 The Weaponized DOJ Investigation Under Trump 1:01:58 Rapid Fire Policy: Tariffs, Blue Cities, Immigration 1:12:26 Abortion Rights, the ERA, and Biden's Legacy on Gaza 1:16:00 The Gaza Ceasefire Deal and Lasting Damage 1:19:33 Rebuilding for Black Women and Flipping the Tables 1:23:54 First Priorities if Re-elected in 2026 1:24:23 Lightning Round: Walk-On Songs and St. Louis Ribs 1:29:16 Closing Remarks ABOUT JOY REID: Joy-Ann Lomena Reid (AKA Joy Reid) is a best-selling American author, political journalist and TV host. She was a national correspondent for MSNBC and is best known for hosting the Emmy-nominated, NAACP Award-winning political commentary and analysis show, The ReidOut, from 2020 to 2025. Her previous anchoring credits include The Reid Report (2014–2015) and AM Joy (2016–2020). STAY CONNECTED WITH THE SHOW: Website: https://www.joyannreid.com Substack: https://substack.com/@joyannreid Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Joy-Reid-Show/61576759980854/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyreidshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thejoyreidshow Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/joyannreid.bsky.social FOLLOW JOY ON SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyreidofficial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyannreid/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joyreidofficial Want to hear more of our theme song? Check out the Foodchain page on BandCamp: https://thefoodchain.bandcamp.com/track/the-foodchain-basically-ft-jd-era ============================= Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contains content that is property of The Joy Reid Show, a production of Image Lab Media Group. You are authorized to share the video link and channel, and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to this YouTube Channel is provided. © 2025 The Joy Reid Show https://www.youtube.com/@TheJoyReidShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices