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The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

Lawrence O'Donnell, MS NOW 206 Episodes Aug 22, 2026

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.

Episodes

Trump rallies voters for Graham in SC GOP Senate runoff
Trump rallies voters for Graham in SC GOP Senate runoff Aug 22, 2026 00:42:25 Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump and JD Vance try to sell an unpopular agenda to voters. Also, Democrats campaign on economic woes from Donald Trump’s war. Plus, the Supreme Court lets Trump keep building his ballroom for now. And Trump’s FDA nominee claimed abortion pills are “dangerous.” Dr. Annie Andrews, Brian Poindexter, David Jolly, Barbara McQuade, and Mini Timmaraju join Jonathan Cap
Lawrence: Trump’s Treasury Secretary said ‘we don’t know when’ Trump’s war will end.
Lawrence: Trump’s Treasury Secretary said ‘we don’t know when’ Trump’s war will end. Aug 21, 2026 00:42:17 Tonight on The Last Word: The USS Lincoln begins its journey home after a record deployment. Also, Democrats are investigating Jared Kushner’s Middle East business ties. Plus, the Trump Justice Department was warned of the Reflecting Pool’s peeling liner in June. And the data center debate hits the Wisconsin governor’s race. Rep. Jason Crow, Rep. Robert Garcia, Andrew Weissmann, and David Crowley
Lawrence: Trump’s ‘lust for vengeance’ could cost Republicans in the House and Senate
Lawrence: Trump’s ‘lust for vengeance’ could cost Republicans in the House and Senate Aug 20, 2026 00:42:15 Tonight on The Last Word: The Iran war and the economy plague Donald Trump’s GOP 76 days from the midterms. Also, Trump downplays reports on the USS Lincoln living conditions. Plus, Sen. Jon Ossoff questions Trump’s leadership during the war. And a new fiction novel explores a hypothetical American split. Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Jon Ossoff, and Kurt Andersen join Lawrence O’Donnell. To listen to thi
Lawrence: Trump-endorsed primary losses show Trump might not pick the next GOP presidential nominee
Lawrence: Trump-endorsed primary losses show Trump might not pick the next GOP presidential nominee Aug 19, 2026 00:42:38 Tonight on The Last Word: A recent poll finds Democrats leading Republicans on the economy heading into the midterms. Also, a whistleblower reports the Trump Justice Department’s antisemitism probes lacked legal basis. And Donald Trump contradicts son-in-law Jared Kushner on Iran negotiations. Ali Velshi, Bale Dalton, Sherrod Brown, Laurence Tribe, and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling join Lawrence O’Donnel
Trump & officials downplay concerns about USS Lincoln
Trump & officials downplay concerns about USS Lincoln Aug 18, 2026 00:41:57 Tonight on The Last Word: Donald Trump’s war in Iran drags on with no clear strategy. Also, Trump claims Kim Jong Un treats him with “great respect." Plus, Todd Blanche refuses to pledge the Justice Department’s independence from the White House. And a recent poll finds most Americans say they’re worse off financially under Trump. Rep. James Walkinshaw, Rep. Mark Pocan, Barbara McQuade, and Rep. B
Trump dismisses concerns over conditions on the USS Lincoln
Trump dismisses concerns over conditions on the USS Lincoln Aug 15, 2026 00:42:33 Tonight on The Last Word: Trump votes to inscribe his name on the Kennedy Center. Plus, Trump plans his next big Washington D.C. renovation. And with 81 days until midterm elections, the GOP is on defense in... Texas. Rep. Mike Levin, Rep. Joyce Beatty, Dorothy Robyn, and Katy Padilla Stout join Antonia Hylton.  To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium o
Lawrence: Aircraft carrier morale crisis is result of Trump’s failure.
Lawrence: Aircraft carrier morale crisis is result of Trump’s failure. Aug 14, 2026 00:41:57 Tonight on The Last Word: Iran could prolong the war until Donald Trump is out of office. Also, The Washington Post reports Trump’s White House projects are now at least $900 million. And Trump called into the Kennedy Center virtual meeting where the board voted to “inscribe” his name on the building. Rep. Chris Deluzio, Sarah Blaskey, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse join Lawrence O’Donnell. To listen
Lawrence: With Air Force One switch, Trump fails his self-imposed Hollywood Hero Test
Lawrence: With Air Force One switch, Trump fails his self-imposed Hollywood Hero Test Aug 12, 2026 00:42:34 Tonight on The Last Word: Polls show voters are frustrated with Donald Trump’s Iran war. Also, Trump hints at a national emergency over the passage of the SAVE Act. Plus, Nick Kristof reports on the effects of Trump’s cuts and economic policies. And Rep. James Walkinshaw wants Elon Musk subpoenaed after the DOGE report. Ali Velshi, Ben Rhodes, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Nick Kristof, and Rep. James Walkin
Lawrence: Donald Trump has lost control – even his choice of airplane
Lawrence: Donald Trump has lost control – even his choice of airplane Aug 11, 2026 00:41:03 Tonight on The Last Word: An Iranian assassination threat reportedly forced Donald Trump to leave Turkey in secret. Also, Trump pressures Jeanine Pirro to revisit the Reflecting Pool case. Plus, an appeals court halts Trump’s $600 million White House ballroom. And a Pennsylvania Democrat highlights data centers in a new political ad. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, Andrew Weissmann, and Mayor Paige Cognet
‘YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BREATHE’: Exasperated voters bash Trump who claims they aren’t mad at him
‘YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BREATHE’: Exasperated voters bash Trump who claims they aren’t mad at him Aug 8, 2026 00:42:50 Tonight on The Last Word: Trump voters sound off about high prices, the Iran war, and more. Also, a federal appeals court blocks Donald Trump’s $600 million ballroom project. Plus, a government watchdog finds Elon Musk’s DOGE inflated savings. And Todd Blanche vows to fight mail-order abortion drugs. Mayor Chaz Molder, Dr. Annie Andrews, Barbara McQuade, Rep. James Walkinshaw, and Michele Goodwin
Democrats see midterm momentum as Trump approval tanks
Democrats see midterm momentum as Trump approval tanks Aug 7, 2026 00:42:20 Tonight on The Last Word: Iowa emerges as a surprise midterm battleground state. Also, Oman and Iran reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplays the inflation toll on lower-income workers. And the Senate Homeland Security Committee votes to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. Iowa State Rep. Josh Turek, Keisha Lance Bottoms, Tom N
Lawrence: The mystery of what Trump’s agents were doing in Michigan may make sense on Election Day
Lawrence: The mystery of what Trump’s agents were doing in Michigan may make sense on Election Day Aug 6, 2026 00:42:20 Tonight on The Last Word: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will face a Trump-backed Republican in the governor’s race. Also, 25 Democratic-led states sue over the latest Trump tariffs. Plus, The Washington Post reports Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth clash over U.S. missile depletion due to the Iran War. And Trump fights the Smithsonian and tries to whitewash U.S. history. Secretary Jocely

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