
The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell
MSNBC
Drawing upon his experience as a former chief of staff on the Senate Finance Committee and as an Emmy-winning executive producer and writer of ‘The West Wing,’ Lawrence O’Donnell examines the compelling and impactful political stories of the day. Join him every weeknight.
Location:
New York, NY
Genres:
US News
Networks:
MSNBC
Description:
Drawing upon his experience as a former chief of staff on the Senate Finance Committee and as an Emmy-winning executive producer and writer of ‘The West Wing,’ Lawrence O’Donnell examines the compelling and impactful political stories of the day. Join him every weeknight.
Language:
English
Episodes
Lawrence: Trump, a 'humiliated clown' who always pretends he never backs down, backed down again
4/22/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The stock market is calmer after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told investors a trade war is not “sustainable.” Also, the White House says Donald Trump “strongly stands” behind Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Plus, three prosecutors on the Eric Adams corruption case resign rather than admit to “wrongdoing.” And Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens launches her Senate bid in Michigan. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Andrew Weissmann, and Rep. Haley Stevens join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:43:22
Lawrence: Trump plunging stock market to its ‘Make America 1932 Again’ moment
4/21/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Stocks tumble as Donald Trump attacks Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Also, Harvard University sues the Trump administration over funding cut threats. Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared sensitive information on Yemen strikes in a Signal chat with his wife and brother. And Pope Frances dies at 88 after a stroke. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Laurence Tribe, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Sister Simone Campbell join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:41:00
Trump DHS challenged on possible imminent deportations
4/18/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump mocks Sen. Chris Van Hollen for meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Also, voters flood town halls with fears and frustrations. Plus, Trump suggests removing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. And the North Carolina Supreme Court race remains undecided after legal challenges. Lisa Rubin, Garry Kasparov, Rep. James Clyburn, Robert Reich, and Justice Allison Riggs join Ali Velshi.
Duration:00:42:39
Lawrence: Sen. Van Hollen outsmarted Trump today helping Abrego Garcia get a step closer to justice
4/17/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and Kilmar Abrego Garcia meet in El Salvador. Also, Donald Trump threatens to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status. And Trump suggests he can fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Rep. Brendan Boyle join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:46:18
Lawrence: As criminal as Nixon was, he had more respect for the Constitution than Trump
4/16/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: California sues Donald Trump, calling his tariffs “unlawful.” Also, a bipartisan bill would end any tariff not passed by Congress in 60 days. Plus, a federal judge finds probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt over deportation flights. And voters flood town halls and rallies fearing DOGE cuts. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sen. Maria Cantwell, Rep. Daniel Goldman, and Rep. Melanie Stansbury join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:44:21
Lawrence: Donald Trump now has ‘constitutional dementia’ about Harvard & deporting American citizens
4/15/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: A judge blasts the Trump Justice Department for its refusal to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Also, Donald Trump escalates his fight with Harvard University. Plus, Trump blames Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war yet again and calls Vladimir Putin’s deadly Palm Sunday attack “a mistake.” And The Washington Post reports a government memo lays out the Trump administration’s proposal to slash State Department and USAID budgets. Andrew Weissmann, Laurence Tribe, and Nicholas Kristof join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:41:15
Lawrence on Trump attacking the rule of law: We are all Harvard. We are all Abrego Garcia.
4/14/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The Trump Justice Department argues courts can’t force Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return. Also, Donald Trump declines to say what imports might be exempt from future tariffs. And Democrats host town halls to amplify voters’ concerns. Andrew Weissmann, Catherine Rampell, Rep. Greg Stanton, and fmr Rep. David Jolly join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:40:22
Velshi: Trump ‘shattering’ status of U.S. as a global superpower
4/11/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The Wall Street Journal reports Donald Trump privately acknowledged his tariffs could spark a recession. Also, a federal judge demands updates on the efforts made to return a deported Maryland man. Plus, Democrats seek to keep the momentum against the Trump agenda with the House and Senate in recess. And Trump sends a special envoy to meet with Vladimir Putin in Russia. Robert Reich, Laurence Tribe, Rep. Joe Neguse, Leah Greenberg, and Amb. Michael McFaul join Ali Velshi.
Duration:00:42:12
Justice Sotomayor: Trump admin. had no ‘basis in law for Garcia’s warrantless arrest’
4/10/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The Supreme Court orders the Trump administration to “facilitate” the return of a mistakenly deported Maryland man. Also, Democrats demand an inquiry around the timing of the Trump tariff pause. Plus, seven GOP senators defy MAGA and back a bill to curb Trump tariff powers. And Donald Trump wants the Justice Department to investigate two first-term officials who criticized him. Andrew Weissmann, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Sen. Maria Cantwell join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:42:00
Lawrence: Trump backs down on tariffs after a day of fearing Elon Musk might call him a 'moron'
4/9/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: House Republicans cancel Wednesday night’s budget vote. Also, Trump’s tariff pause comes after markets lose trillions. Plus, House Democrats launch an inquiry of Trump aides’ Signal use. And GOP senators up in 2026 face Trump tariff backlash. Rep. Brendan Boyle, Jason Furman, Rep. Stephen Lynch, and fmr. Rep. Wiley Nickel join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:42:35
Lawrence: Musk called Navarro a 'moron.' What does Musk think of Trump who follows Navarro’s advice?
4/8/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Seven GOP senators back a bill to curb Trump tariff power. Also, the Trump administration targets hundreds of federal buildings for a potential sale. And a Trump-appointed judge orders the White House to lift the Associated Press ban. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Jason Furman, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:42:11
Lawrence: Elon Musk is the biggest loser in Donald Trump's world war on economic sanity
4/7/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Elon Musk speaks out against Trump tariffs. Also, fired Justice Department attorneys speak out against the Trump administration. Plus, “Hands Off” protests demand action against the Trump agenda. And the Supreme Court pauses the deadline to return a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Catherine Rampell, Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Maxwell Frost, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:40:25
Schumer on Trump’s tariffs: ‘This man is a menace’
4/4/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Trump tariffs drive the stock market down 2,200 points. Also, Senate GOP and Democrats introduce a bill to limit Trump tariffs. Plus, Donald Trump fires the head of the NSA after meeting with 9/11 conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer. And former President Obama speaks about the Trump 2.0 era. Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Sen. Mark Warner join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:40:39
Trump tariffs spark biggest stock losses since 2020
4/3/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Consumers and businesses brace for the impact of Trump tariffs. Also, a federal judge considers holding Trump officials in contempt. And Rep. Chris Pappas launches his U.S. Senate campaign in New Hampshire. Rep. Gabe Amo, Michele Norris, Rep. James Clyburn, Adam Klasfeld, and Rep. Chris Pappas join Jonathan Capehart.
Duration:00:42:21
Lawrence: Trump's 'biggest tax increase in history' makes Republicans admit 'tariffs are taxes'
4/2/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Four GOP senators vote against Donald Trump’s Canada tariffs. Also, Sen. Cory Booker’s 25-hour Senate speech gave Democrats a voice of resistance against the Trump administration. Plus, Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow enters the U.S. Senate race. And the Trump-Musk cuts to USAID intensifies the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, MI State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, and Declan Walsh join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:41:55
Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election, NBC News projects
4/1/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: NBC News projects Susan Crawford wins the Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, beating Trump-Musk candidate Brad Schimel. And Sen. Cory Booker makes history with a 25-hour Senate speech. Shaq Brewster, House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, and Ben Wikler join Lawrence O’Donnell.
Duration:00:50:14
Tuesday special elections test voter anger at Trump, Musk
3/31/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Sen. Cory Booker is “disrupting business as usual” with a marathon Senate speech. Also, Vladimir Putin escalates the war in Ukraine. Plus, The Wall Street Journal reports Mike Waltz had other national security Signal chats. And Kentucky Democrats eye retiring Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat. Rep. Mark Pocan, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Melissa Murray, David Rothkopf, Rep. Marilyn Strickland, and Col. Pam Stevenson join Symone Sanders.
Duration:00:42:32
Stock market falls amid Trump trade war fears
3/28/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Social Security recipients worry Elon Musk’s changes could affect the payout of benefits. Also, federal courts block Trump executive orders targeting law firms. Plus, toxic masculinity is rampant online in the age of Trump. And the USAID cuts endanger global tuberculosis programs. Leah Feiger, Rep. Robert Garcia, Elie Mystal, Chloe Combi, and Maria Smilios join Jason Johnson.
Duration:00:41:26
Trump & allies make excuses for Signal leak
3/27/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats call for Pete Hegseth to resign over the Signal leak. Also, the race for the House seat vacated by Mike Waltz is closer than expected. Plus, Elon Musk is pouring millions into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. And Republicans are scrambling as Democrats win special elections. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Barbara McQuade, Josh Weil, Ben Wikler, Pennsylvania State Sen.-elect James Malone, and Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton join Symone Sanders.
Duration:00:41:25
Trump team deflects and lies as leaked plan is published
3/26/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The leaked attack plans detail exact times and weapons used. Also, Republicans begin to voice concerns over the intel leak. And Democrats demand answers from the Trump team over the leak. Ned Price, Mark Zaid, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill join Jen Psaki.
Duration:00:42:33