The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell Podcast

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.
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Episode's summary

Rachel Maddow examines the geopolitical and domestic tensions surrounding the Trump administration's policies, including a critique of recent military actions in Iran and the economic risks posed by trade wars with Canada. The episode features insights from Senator Chris Coons on the instability caused by unilateral tariffs and the potential loss of American global leadership. The program also covers several legal and political battles, ranging from Supreme Court rulings on White House construction to challenges regarding mail-in voting. Additionally, the discussion explores the controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center's future, legislative efforts for transparency regarding the Epstein files, and the proposal to rename Lake Ontario.

Chapters

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Highlights

It's very limited. Look, they're a failed nation. Their leaders are largely dead.

00:03:06 · Donald Trump describes the scope of the conflict and the state of Iran's leadership.

you can't be the leader if you don't have followers.

00:12:26 · Senator Chris Coons explains his concern regarding the United States losing its global leadership position.

We're not subsidizing Canada. We're shooting ourselves in the foot.

00:15:41 · Senator Coons argues that the trade dispute with Canada is self-destructive for the United States.

I think, first of all, that Donald Trump is a bully. He's trying to intimidate them simply because he didn't get his way.

00:29:50 · Congresswoman Joyce Beatty describes the motivation behind Trump's attacks on judges in the Kennedy Center case.

And now we know that there were a group of rich and powerful men, people I call the Epstein class, who either participated in this abuse or who turned a blind eye to the abuse because they wanted to belong to this Epstein network.

00:39:05 · Ro Khanna describes the social dynamics and complicity involved in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Episodes

2110-

Trump’s Canada trade war could affect midterm elections

Rachel Maddow examines the geopolitical and domestic tensions surrounding the Trump administration's policies, including a critique of recent military actions in Iran and the economic risks posed by trade wars with Canada. The episode features insights from Senator Chris Coons on the instability caused by unilateral tariffs and the potential loss of American global leadership. The program also covers several legal and political battles, ranging from Supreme Court rulings on White House construction to challenges regarding mail-in voting. Additionally, the discussion explores the controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center's future, legislative efforts for transparency regarding the Epstein files, and the proposal to rename Lake Ontario.

Tue, 1 Sep 2026 03:35:48 +0000
2109-

Trump’s trade war & Iran war have cost Americans billions

Este episódio analisa as repercussões das políticas de Donald Trump, focando nas consequências econômicas e políticas de suas guerras comerciais com o Canadá e conflitos com o Irã, que impactam diretamente o custo de vida dos americanos. O debate aborda também a degradação das capacidades militares dos EUA e os desafios enfrentados por porta-aviões em operações no Oriente Médio. A discussão estende-se à crise de direitos de voto nos Estados Unidos e às movimentações políticas para as eleições de meio de mandato. Por fim, o programa aborda temas de saúde pública, como o surto de sarampo e a influência de teorias da conspiração, além de iniciativas governamentais na Califórnia para reduzir custos de medicamentos essenciais.

29 Aug 2026
2108-

Lawrence: Future generations may laugh at Trump’s madness. But first, we will have to survive it.

This episode covers significant legal and political developments, beginning with a court ruling blocking Donald Trump's executive order on the Postal Service and a critique of his decision to rename Lake Ontario. The discussion explores the broader implications of these actions, including legal challenges to election interference and reports of poor conditions aboard the USS Lincoln. The program also examines the human cost of immigration enforcement, featuring discussions on ICE detentions in Texas involving a five-year-old boy and his father. Additionally, the episode addresses the economic impact of Trump's trade war with Canada on Maine, highlighting the consequences of tariffs on working families.

28 Aug 2026
2107-

Lawrence: Attacking voting by mail, Donald Trump wants to take away what Abraham Lincoln gave us

This episode covers the legal battle over USPS mail-in ballot regulations, featuring an interview with California Attorney General Rob Bonta regarding allegations of election obstruction. The discussion also examines Donald Trump's leadership, including criticisms of his lack of a strategic plan for the conflict in Iran and his recent disparaging comments toward Canada. Additionally, the episode explores political strategies for the upcoming midterm elections through an interview with North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper. The program concludes with analysis on the economic consequences of trade policies and the challenges of rising inflation.

27 Aug 2026
2106-

Lawrence: Trump admin.’s childish threat of ‘economic D-Day’ is mocked by Iran as ‘improv night’

This episode examines the shifting political and economic landscape under the Trump administration, beginning with election night updates from South Carolina and Oklahoma that suggest a decline in the influence of Donald Trump's endorsements. The discussion delves into the administration's trade tensions with Canada and the strategic risks associated with escalating conflict with Iran, specifically highlighting how excluded key officials could lead to global financial instability. The program also explores the domestic consequences of these policies, including the economic strain on Iowa's agricultural sector due to tariffs and ongoing legal battles regarding executive orders on mail-in voting. The episode concludes with an analysis of the economic impact of trade wars and a tribute to Dolly Parton's philanthropic efforts.

26 Aug 2026