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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

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
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Trump claims leaked war plans were ‘not classified’

3/25/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: A massive Trump team leak rattles the intelligence community. Also, voters voice their concerns about Elon Musk’s Social Security cuts. And Democrats slam Trump-Musk cuts impacting American farmers and low-income families. Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Adam Smith, Mark Zaid, Tim Miller, Sen. Ed Markey, and Rep. Angie Craig join Jonathan Capehart.

Duration:00:42:23

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Dems call for probe into extraordinary ‘war chat’

3/24/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Trump national security officials accidentally leak military plans to a journalist over an unclassified chat app. Also, Democrats hold town halls in GOP districts. Plus, the Trump administration refuses to answer a federal judge’s questions about obeying a court order and invokes the state secrets privilege. And Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff says Vladimir Putin is not a “bad guy.” Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Jen Psaki, Rep. Chris Pappas, Rep. Ro Khanna, Joyce Vance, and Timothy Snyder join Jonathan Capehart.

Duration:00:41:14

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Ocasio-Cortez & Sanders attract 34,000+ to Denver rally

3/21/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats hold town halls in swing districts. Also, voters pack “empty chair” town halls to voice their anger when GOP Congress members skip out. Plus, Donald Trump escalates his fight with the federal courts. And USAID cuts cause more disease and starvation in Africa. Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Dave Min, Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Ezra Levin, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Nicholas Kristof join Ali Velshi.

Duration:00:42:19

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Ocasio-Cortez & Sanders rally against unpopular Musk

3/20/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Voters are fired up at town halls across the country. Also, a federal judge says details on Donald Trump’s deportation flights are “woefully insufficient.” Plus, the stock market falls again amid economic woes. And Democratic attorneys general sue over the gutting of the Department of Education. Nnamdi Egwuonwu, Rep. Kelly Morrison, Rebecca Cooke, Barbara McQuade, Mark Zandi, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison join Ali Velshi.

Duration:00:41:47

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Trump & allies escalate fight with federal courts

3/19/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Democrats call on Donald Trump to reinstate the fired FTC commissioners. Also, GOP lawmakers are confronted about Trump and Musk cuts. Plus, The Wall Street Journal reports Trump is struggling to see Vladimir Putin for the aggressor he is. And Trump ramps up attacks on journalists during his second term. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Eric Swalwell, Rep. Andrea Salinas, Mikhail Zygar, and David Enrich join Jonathan Capehart.

Duration:00:41:00

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Chief Justice Roberts rebukes Trump’s threat to impeach judge

3/18/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: A federal judge rules the dismantling of USAID likely violated the Constitution. Also, early voting begins in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Plus, Donald Trump fails to convince Vladimir Putin to accept a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. And frustrated voters confront GOP lawmakers at town halls. Judge J. Michael Luttig, Judge Susan Crawford, Ben Rhodes, and Rep. Emilia Sykes join Ali Velshi.

Duration:00:41:47

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Fired CDC workers in turmoil after Musk’s DOGE cuts

3/17/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Trump-Musk cuts are creating chaos inside the federal government. Also, Donald Trump invokes the Alien Enemies Act for the fourth time in history. Plus, Democrats issue a warning over possible GOP Medicaid cuts. The Black Lives Matter Plaza is removed amid Trump funding cut threats. And Tulsi Gabbard says Trump and Putin are “very good friends.” David Fahrenthold, Barbara McQuade, Rep. Paul Tonko, and Amb. Michael McFaul join Jonathan Capehart.

Duration:00:41:05

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Senate votes to avert government shutdown

3/15/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump’s trade war creates global unease and market chaos. Also, Trump gives a politicized speech inside the Justice Department’s Great Hall. Plus, Vladimir Putin launches new strikes despite ongoing peace negotiations. And Republicans are advised to avoid in-person town halls. Sen. Peter Welch, Andrew Weissmann, Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (ret.), and Jane Kleeb join Ali Velshi.

Duration:00:42:19

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Senate to hold key vote on GOP budget Friday

3/14/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: A federal judge halts the Trump-Musk mass federal firings. Also, The Wall Street Journal reports the Trump family held talks to buy a stake in Binance following the crypto exchange’s guilty plea. Plus, Vladimir Putin casts doubt on the ceasefire deal with Ukraine. And Democrats win big in an important special election in Minnesota. Sen. Tina Smith, Sen. Jeff Merkley, Rebecca Ballhaus, Ben Rhodes, and Minnesota State House Rep.-elect David Gottfried join Jonathan Capehart.

Duration:00:41:21

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Lawrence on Trump's 'vile, antisemitic' attack on Schumer: Trump's mind is gone. It is shattered.

3/12/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The New York Times reports ICE returned all migrants from Guantánamo Bay to stateside facilities. Also, Vladimir Putin attacks Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown and still hasn’t accepted the U.S.-proposed ceasefire deal. And Republicans remain silent on Donald Trump’s antisemitic attack on Sen. Schumer. Rep. Sara Jacobs and Timothy Snyder join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:41:07

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Lawrence on Wharton's worst student: Trump is mentally incapable of doing the job he was elected to

3/11/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump backs down from his latest tariff threat on Canadian metal. Also, Elon Musk won’t say Social Security won’t be interrupted. Plus, Ukraine agrees to the United States’ proposal of a 30-day ceasefire. And The New York Times reports tuberculosis is resurgent as Trump’s USAID cuts disrupt treatment globally. Catherine Rampell, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, and Dr. Atul Gawande join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:41:25

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Lawrence: Trump is gleefully taking billions from you and everyone in the United States

3/11/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Ontario imposes a 25% tax increase on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to Donald Trump’s trade war. Also, Elon Musk attacks Sen. Mark Kelly’s visit to Ukraine. Plus, a federal judge partially blocks Trump from defunding USAID. And The New York Times reports a Justice Department official was fired after opposing restoring Mel Gibson’s gun rights. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Adam Schiff, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:37:42

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What really happened in the Trump-Musk Cabinet meeting

3/7/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The New York Times reports Elon Musk berated Cabinet secretaries for not firing enough civil service workers. Also, Democrats fiercely criticize Donald Trump for caving to Vladimir Putin. Plus, Trump’s Treasury Secretary downplays the stock market drop. And Elon Musk is spending millions to try and flip the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Kurt Andersen, Rep. Adam Smith, Robert Reich, and Ben Wikler join Ali Velshi.

Duration:00:42:36

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Lawrence: Trump humiliates himself by backing down again and again

3/6/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump retreats on Mexico and Canada tariffs again. Also, Trump is criticized globally for turning on Ukraine. Plus, a federal judge rules Trump’s firing of a labor board member is illegal. And Democrats hear testimony on the dangers of GOP Medicaid cuts. Amb. Bob Rae, Sen. Jon Ossoff, and Rep. Robin Kelly join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:41:31

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Lawrence: Canada's Trudeau humiliates 'cowardly' Trump who backs down on tariffs. Again.

3/6/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: The Supreme Court rejects Donald Trump’s bid to stiff USAID contractors. Also, Elon Musk’s DOGE layoffs are causing chaos for federal workers. And American farmers brace for harm from Trump’s tariffs. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and Michele Norris join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:41:53

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Lawrence: In siding with Russia’s dictator, Trump abandons U.S. position as ‘leader of the free world’

3/3/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump orders a pause on military aid to Ukraine. Also, The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board says Trump is taking “the dumbest tariff plunge.” Plus, a USAID memo says the Trump aid cuts will threaten lives on a “massive scale.” And a top FBI official is forced out over Trump January 6 cases. Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Gary Peters, fmr. Amb. Samantha Power, and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:39:35

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Trump’s attacks on Zelenskyy reverberating globally

2/28/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump and JD Vance berate an American ally in the Oval Office. Also, a top Trump U.S. attorney demotes January 6 prosecutors. Plus, House Democrats back a lawsuit against Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And NBC News reports House GOP leadership are urging lawmakers to avoid town halls. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Laurence Tribe, Rep. Joe Neguse, and Rep. Madeleine Dean join Jonathan Capehart.

Duration:00:42:08

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Lawrence: Trump humiliated again on the world stage by British PM Starmer after France's Macron

2/27/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Five former defense secretaries protest the firing of generals. Also, Donald Trump is forced to confront reality on camera. Plus, Elon Musk urges Republicans to impeach the judges blocking Trump. And Jonathan Capehart writes about a “powerful Black history moment.” Sen. Ruben Gallego, Andrew Feinberg, Rep. Daniel Goldman, and Jonathan Capehart join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:41:51

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Lawrence: Elon Musk got caught lying and Donald Trump made the lie bigger

2/27/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s lies go unchecked in the first Cabinet meeting. Also, Democrats grill Trump’s solicitor general nominee. Plus, Chief Justice John Roberts blocks a ruling ordering the Trump administration to pay USAID contracts by midnight on Thursday. And Musk lies about USAID funding cuts in the Cabinet room. Robert Reich, Sen. Adam Schiff, Andrew Weissmann, and Jeremy Konyndyk join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:41:21

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Lawrence: Trump and House GOP taking health care away from poor people so Elon Musk can be richer

2/25/2025
Tonight on The Last Word: House Republicans narrowly adopt Donald Trump’s budget resolution with deep Medicaid cuts. And the Trump-Musk cuts to USAID threaten the world’s most vulnerable people. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Del. Stacey Plaskett, and Erin Boyd join Lawrence O’Donnell.

Duration:00:41:24