The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell Podcast

Lawrence O'Donnell, MS NOW

2081 - Lawrence: Trump’s ‘demented’ speech showed how ready he is to interfere in the election
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.
2081 - Lawrence: Trump’s ‘demented’ speech showed how ready he is to interfere in the election
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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.

Episode's summary

Lawrence O'Donnell and Congressman Jim Himes critique Donald Trump's recent speech, characterizing it as an attempt to use misinformation regarding the SAVE Act and foreign interference to delegitimize upcoming election results. The discussion features insights from Senators Jim Himes, Alyssa Slotkin, and John Ossoff on threats to election integrity, including potential use of federal agents to seize ballots. The episode also covers Senator Ossoff's focus on maintaining Senate checks and balances through victory in Georgia, the implications of Todd Blanche's meeting with Epstein survivors, and legal analyst Andrew Weissman's concerns regarding political posturing and threats to the Department of Justice.

Chapters

Click on a chapter to go directly to that moment

Highlights

It was really a 25-minute basically begging to pass a bill that Republican senators have said they will not vote.

00:00:37 · Lawrence O'Donnell describes the primary purpose of Donald Trump's recent televised address.

The president of the United States lied to the American public today. It was a bald face, 180 degree, obviously provable lie.

00:11:31 · Congressman Jim Himes reacts to Trump's claims regarding foreign interference in U.S. elections.

That is the moment in which American democracy dies.

00:17:10 · Himes identifies the loss of chain of custody over ballot boxes as a fatal threat to democracy.

I heard a failed president desperately casting about for excuses to meddle in the upcoming election if he can or to discredit the result when he loses decisively as I expect he will.

00:25:31 · Senator Ossoff characterizes Trump's actions as an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming election.

It is such an indictment. of the lack of character of the person who's seeking to be the attorney general.

00:37:42 · Andrew Weissman critiques the lack of character shown by the nominee based on his handling of the meeting with survivors.

Episodes

2081-

Lawrence: Trump’s ‘demented’ speech showed how ready he is to interfere in the election

Lawrence O'Donnell and Congressman Jim Himes critique Donald Trump's recent speech, characterizing it as an attempt to use misinformation regarding the SAVE Act and foreign interference to delegitimize upcoming election results. The discussion features insights from Senators Jim Himes, Alyssa Slotkin, and John Ossoff on threats to election integrity, including potential use of federal agents to seize ballots. The episode also covers Senator Ossoff's focus on maintaining Senate checks and balances through victory in Georgia, the implications of Todd Blanche's meeting with Epstein survivors, and legal analyst Andrew Weissman's concerns regarding political posturing and threats to the Department of Justice.

17 Jul 2026
2080-

Lawrence: Blanche confessed who he really serves when he said of Trump ‘I’m his lawyer’

This episode examines the Senate confirmation hearings for several key nominees, focusing heavily on the allegations of misconduct and conflicts of interest surrounding Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General. The discussion analyzes Blanche's past legal work for Donald Trump and his evasive testimony regarding judicial findings and the release of Epstein-related documents. The program also covers the scrutiny faced by Jay Clayton and other nominees, including Senator Mark Kelly's critique of intelligence leadership candidates. Additionally, the episode features discussions with Senators Mark Kelly and Sherrod Brown regarding the political stakes of upcoming elections and legislative inaction on housing affordability.

16 Jul 2026
2079-

Lawrence: Cowardly Susan Collins did nothing to protect Maine from Trump’s invasion forces

This episode examines the fallout from a fatal shooting by ICE agents in Maine, featuring interviews with Representative Shelley Pingree on community fear and criticism of Senator Susan Collins' leadership. The discussion extends to broader political dynamics, including Donald Trump's retracted maritime economic proposals and shifting Senate race landscapes. The program also explores high-stakes Democratic campaigns, with insights from Iowa Senate candidate Josh Turek on the impact of ICE operations and agricultural tariffs, and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms on housing affordability and voting rights.

15 Jul 2026
2078-

Lawrence: Trump sued himself - and lost.

This episode examines Donald Trump's claims of pre-authorized military orders to attack Iran in the event of his assassination, a concept the speaker argues is constitutionally impossible. The discussion also delves into a federal judge's ruling regarding a 'fake' lawsuit where Trump appeared to be suing himself to secure a massive settlement, highlighting potential corruption and bad faith litigation within his administration. Additionally, the episode features insights from legal analyst Andrew Weissman and Congressman Jamie Raskin on the misuse of the judicial system. The program concludes with an interview with North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Roy Cooper, who discusses campaign finance challenges following recent Supreme Court decisions and his platform regarding the cost of living.

14 Jul 2026
2077-

Trump reiterates claim that U.S.-Iran ceasefire is ‘over'

This episode examines Donald Trump's ongoing impact on domestic and international stability, from escalating tensions with Iran and criticisms of NATO to his efforts to influence election rules by withholding bipartisan housing legislation. The program also explores the erosion of political norms through an interview with Robert Reich and investigates the financial waste caused by the 'Deferred Resignation Program'. Additionally, the episode features an interview with Congresswoman Joyce Beatty regarding the legal battle over the Kennedy Center and covers the investigation into the death of Nolan Wells.

11 Jul 2026