The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell Podcast

The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell is a nightly political news and commentary program that serves as the audio simulcast of the television broadcast on MS NOW. Originating from New York City and Washington, D.C., the show provides a detailed examination of American politics, focusing primarily on legislative developments, constitutional law, and the operations of the United States federal government.

The program’s editorial direction is shaped by the professional background of its host, Lawrence O’Donnell. Before his career in media, O’Donnell served as the chief of staff for the Senate Finance Committee, a role that provides him with direct experience in the mechanics of the U.S. Senate and federal policy-making. Additionally, his experience as an Emmy-winning writer and executive producer for the political drama *The West Wing* informs the show’s structured, narrative-driven approach to breaking news.

Structurally, the podcast typically opens with a lengthy monologue known as the "A-block," wherein O'Donnell analyzes a specific headline with historical and legislative context. This segment is followed by interviews and panel discussions with a consistent roster of guests, including members of Congress, legal experts, historians, and investigative journalists. Frequent topics of discussion include executive branch oversight, landmark judicial decisions, and the internal dynamics of political parties.

As a centerpiece of the MS NOW network—the independent entity established following the 2025 rebranding and spin-off of MSNBC—the program maintains a focus on progressive political analysis and opinion-driven journalism. While O'Donnell hosts the Monday through Thursday editions, the podcast feed also includes Friday broadcasts often led by rotating guest hosts such as Ali Velshi or Jonathan Capehart. The program is designed to offer a final summary of the day’s political events, specifically contextualized through the lens of host-led expertise in the procedural and legal frameworks of Washington, D.C.

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Episode's summary

This episode examines the legal and psychological tensions surrounding the Trump administration, beginning with a lawsuit filed by MSNOW, CNN, and Politico regarding the White House media ban. The discussion explores a deep psychological comparison between Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy, suggesting that Trump's actions are driven by an intense jealousy of Kennedy's historical legacy. The episode also covers the current American political landscape, featuring interviews with Senators Mark Kelly and Sherrod Brown. Discussions focus on economic pressures such as inflation and rising fuel costs, criticisms of political loyalty to special interests, and the impact of trade policies on voters.

Chapters

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Highlights

But once the White House established press access to the White House as a norm for the Washington Press Corps, it became an obvious constitutional violation of the First Amendment to try to ban any news organization because of what may have been said about the president.

00:01:53 · The narrator explains the legal argument regarding why banning specific news organizations constitutes a First Amendment violation.

The feeling of jealousy fills a narcissist like Donald Trump with the feeling of of horrible inadequacy, the feeling that someone is better than he is at something, someone is smarter than he is, wiser than he is, more thoughtful, more articulate, and even for a mind as base as Donald Trump's, more attractive.

00:08:22 · The narrator posits that Trump's resentment toward JFK stems from deep-seated feelings of inadequacy.

When he says this thing at the beginning, at the strong request of the United States military, as soon as I saw that, I thought, OK, when the Democrats get control of the Armed Services Committee, they are going to find out exactly who said what to whom about this.

00:21:55 · Senator Mark Kelly expresses skepticism regarding Trump's claim that the military requested a new military complex.

They know that no matter how hard they work, they simply can't get ahead. That's the rigged system.

00:34:45 · Sherrod Brown describes the economic frustration of working people facing a systemic lack of progress.

And at the end of the day, it's affordability. It's the fact that folks are having to make trade-offs between buying prescriptions or buying groceries, between filling up their grocery cart or filling up their gas tank.

00:37:12 · Kate Connolly identifies economic affordability as the primary issue in her congressional campaign.

Episodes

2125-

Lawrence: Trump’s perverse jealousy of JFK is driving his destruction of the Kennedy Center

This episode examines the legal and psychological tensions surrounding the Trump administration, beginning with a lawsuit filed by MSNOW, CNN, and Politico regarding the White House media ban. The discussion explores a deep psychological comparison between Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy, suggesting that Trump's actions are driven by an intense jealousy of Kennedy's historical legacy. The episode also covers the current American political landscape, featuring interviews with Senators Mark Kelly and Sherrod Brown. Discussions focus on economic pressures such as inflation and rising fuel costs, criticisms of political loyalty to special interests, and the impact of trade policies on voters.

22 Sep 2026
2124-

46 days out, Trump & Republicans face brutal poll numbers in state after state

This episode examines the intensifying political landscape leading up to Election Day, focusing on economic pressures such as inflation and gas prices alongside Republican vulnerabilities in battleground states. The discussion includes an interview with Texas Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa regarding her campaign platform and the state's political climate. The program also investigates allegations of corruption and cover-ups within the Trump administration, specifically concerning veterans, financial ties to foreign interests, and undisclosed military fatalities in the Iran war. Additionally, the episode explores the economic impact of tariffs and immigration enforcement concerns in South Texas.

19 Sep 2026
2123-

Lawrence: Trump never tells the truth, except about protecting billionaires

Rachel Maddow critiques Donald Trump's recent comments regarding his protection of Middle Eastern dictators and his lack of a clear strategy in the Iran war. The episode also features an interview with Senator Ed Markey on the economic impact of inflation, alongside discussions on political instability, election integrity, and potential Republican efforts to block newly elected Democrats from being seated in the House. The program further explores the Wisconsin gubernatorial race, featuring David Crowley's views on trade and governance, and examines allegations regarding Pete Hegseth's potential Hatch Act violations. Additionally, State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott discusses the economic consequences of tariffs and war costs within Iowa.

18 Sep 2026
2122-

Lawrence: Whether on interest rates or the Iran war, Trump proves he’s a ‘pathological liar’

In this episode of The Last with Lawrence O'Donnell, the host examines Donald Trump's recent North Carolina rally, critiquing his disparaging remarks about his own voters and his inconsistent stances on the Federal Reserve and international negotiations. The program also features discussions on the political landscape, including Senator Cory Booker's warnings regarding the politicization of the Justice Department and threats to democratic institutions. Additionally, the episode covers economic debates in Florida, focusing on potential solutions for insurance costs and the cost of living.

17 Sep 2026
2121-

Lawrence: Only Trump could deliver Kash Patel’s bestiality madness into a Senate hearing room

This episode explores the intersection of technological control and political institutional decay. The discussion begins with an examination of 'The Nerd Reich,' focusing on the dangers posed by Silicon Valley billionaires controlling unregulated AI technology and the rise of 'capitalism without democracy.' The program also investigates allegations regarding the degradation of American institutions, specifically addressing Senate testimony concerning FBI hiring standards under Kash Patel and the potential withholding of FBI documents related to Donald Trump and the Epstein files. The conversation concludes with concerns over how concentrated tech power and political interference may threaten election integrity.

16 Sep 2026