The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

August 5, 2025, 10pm; Tonight on The Last Word: The House Oversight Committee issues subpoenas for Epstein documents. And Donald Trump defends firing a labor official after a weak jobs report. Rep. Ro Khanna, Andrew Weissmann, and Paul Krugman join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Ghislaine Maxwell is moved to a lower-security prison after meeting with the Trump Justice Department. And Texas Democrats flee the state to block a gerrymandered GOP map. Andrew Weissmann, Texas Rep. Mihaela Plesa, and Texas Rep. Erin Zwiener join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The U.S. economy adds just 73,000 jobs in July. Also, international outrage over starvation in Gaza is growing. Plus, Democrats pledge to fight Donald Trump and the GOP on gerrymandering. And the Smithsonian removes references of Trump’s impeachments from an exhibit. Dan Osborn, Ben Rhodes, Colin Allred, and Garrett Graff join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: The family of Virginia Giuffre speaks out against a potential Trump pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell. Also, Donald Trump unveils a wave of new tariffs hours before the August 1 trade deadline. Plus, a new Gallup poll shows momentum moving towards Democrats. And Trump escalates a war of words with a top Russian official. Rep. Robert Garcia, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Suzan DelBene, and Amb. Michael McFaul join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats eye an obscure law to force the release of the Epstein files. Also, Donald Trump pushes Texas gerrymandering to help House Republicans. Plus, the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid is marked by deep Trump-GOP cuts. And a former Navajo president launches a campaign to unseat Arizona GOP Rep. Eli Crane. Harry Litman, Heather Long, Rep. Julie Johnson, Rep. Glenn Ivey, Norm Ornstein, and Jonathan Nez join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: The House Oversight Committee rejects Ghislaine Maxwell’s immunity request. Also, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper launches his U.S. Senate bid. Plus, Trump fails to “make America affordable again.” And Democratic attorneys general sue to block Trump’s SNAP data order. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Barbara McQuade, Jennifer Rubin, Anderson Clayton, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown join Jonathan Capehart.

Tonight on The Last Word: Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell is granted limited immunity during meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Also, Axios reports Nevada swing state voters are turning on Donald Trump. Plus, the Trump administration backs down and releases over $5 billion in Education Department funds. And a Republican congressman is caught misrepresenting his grandfather’s “legal” immigration story. Lisa Rubin, Rep. Wesley Bell, Margaret Talev, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, and Chase Woodruff join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: A Trump Justice Department lawyer meets with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Also, Sen. Ruben Gallego calls out Donald Trump and the Justice Department for the Epstein “coverup.” And The New York Times reveals Ghislaine Maxwell’s letter to Jeffrey Epstein in the birthday book. Andrew Weissmann, Christopher O’Leary, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Barry Levine join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Bradley Edwards, an attorney for over 200 of the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, joins Lawrence O’Donnell for an exclusive interview and reveals that he believes the Jeffrey Epstein birthday book with a letter bearing Donald Trump’s name as reported first by The Wall Street Journal is in possession of the Epstein estate. Rep. Ro Khanna and Andrew Weissmann also join to react to the breaking news.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats back the push to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Also, the Senate advances Emil Bove’s federal judge nomination. And a recent poll finds Americans are opposed to Donald Trump’s economic agenda. Rep. Ro Khanna, Mimi Rocah, Tim O’Brien, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump remains silent today on the Epstein files scandal. And Harvard University argues in court that Trump’s funding cuts are illegal. Rep. Daniel Goldman, Rep. Ro Khanna, and Laurence Tribe join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump sues the Wall Street Journal over the story on the alleged letter sent to Jeffrey Epstein bearing Trump’s name. Also, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden is investigating Epstein’s financial network. And the White House dodges one reporter’s question after Trump tells an imagined story about his uncle and the Unabomber. Mimi Rocah, Tim O’Brien, Matthew Goldstein, and Andrew Feinberg join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: The Wall Street Journal reports a letter bearing Donald Trump’s name was sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Also, Senate Democrats demand Emil Bove explain his involvement in the Justice Department withholding Epstein files. And the House Rules Committee approves of a non-binding resolution on the Epstein files. Harry Litman, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Rep. Brendan Boyle join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats call for a Congressional hearing on the Epstein files. Also, Donald Trump denies he’s planning to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell. And Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro endorses Janelle Stelson for Congress. Rep. Jamie Raskin, Paul Krugman, and Janelle Stelson join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Emil Bove’s judicial nomination is under intense scrutiny. Also, Donald Trump imposes a 17 percent tariff on Mexican tomatoes. And a new film, “Sovereign,” explores the rise of far right-wing political ideology. Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Greg Stanton, and Nick Offerman join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Rep. Ro Khanna offers an amendment to release the Epstein files. Also, Donald Trump is starting to lose his own voters on his tariff policy. And Democrats look to campaign on tariffs and Trump’s economy. Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Mark Pocan join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Trump-Musk cuts are still wreaking havoc on the federal government. Also, Donald Trump deregulates crypto while his family profits. Plus, U.S. munitions shipments to Ukraine resume after a pause. And Benjamin Netanyahu returns from Washington, D.C. without a ceasefire deal. Brandy Zadrozny, Rep. Robin Kelly, Ken Vogel, Rep. Eugene Vindman, and Noga Tarnopolsky join Ali Velshi.

Tonight on The Last Word: A federal judge blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship ban. Plus, the Emil Bove confirmation vote is set for July 17. Also, FEMA’s Texas flood responded was reportedly delayed by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. And Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson says “the state of our democracy” keeps her up at night. Cody Wofsy and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump threatens John Brennan and James Comey with Justice Department investigations. Also, the Trump tariff policy is headed to a federal appeals court. And cuts to hurricane data will leave forecasters in the dark. Rep. Eric Swalwell, Lisa Rubin, and Michael Lowry join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Tonight on The Last Word: Stocks are down as Donald Trump threatens new tariffs on allies. Also, Trump-GOP Medicaid cuts put rural Georgia hospitals at risk. And Trump turns on Vladimir Putin and calls for the end of the war in Ukraine. Jason Furman, Sen. Jon Ossoff, and Amb. Michael McFaul join Lawrence O’Donnell.