Lawrence O'Donnell has made a promise to his viewers

[senseandsensibility]

Last edited Wed Sep 17, 2025, 02:27 PM - Edit history (1)

A couple of nights ago, Lawrence vowed that he was not going to cover what trump wants him to cover. Trump wants the media to cover the Kirk murder and to blame Democrats. So he barely covered it that night except to point out that Democrats were not to blame and that Rs are responsible for more violence than Democrats. Then on to Epstein and other stories.

Last night he covered the self-dealing story that was featured in the NYT, about how the Trump family is enriching themselves with the help of the UAE. It was (is) a huge story that was largely ignored on other cable shows. Really mind blowing, and well documented. It is the story that prompted trump's ridiculous lawsuit. Lawrence interviewed the reporter.

Lawrence knows that you cannot let trump determine what should be the story of the day. Unfortunately, most of the WH press corps is more than willing to do so. But the stories that he doesn't want covered are the real stories that make a difference in the lives of the American people.

[malaise]

1. Gooo Lawrence

Rec

[senseandsensibility]

4. One thing you really have to give him credit for

is that he does original shows. It's much easier to just follow along with whatever narrative is being told on all the cable shows. But he does original reporting, makes his own decisions about what's newsworthy, and criticizes his peers when it is necessary. All of these things take more effort and courage than what most others do.

[malaise]

6. Lawrence is a bro with decades

of experience

[CBHagman]

47. He focuses on how things work and separates talking points from real-life results.

Those traits distinguish his coverage from so much that is out there.

[malaise]

48. Great point

Rec

[3catwoman3]

15. And he is a master of the cold, steely-eyed quiet rant...

…that drips with contempt.

[senseandsensibility]

16. Yes, it's kind of fun to watch him switch from his "toss" with Rachel

(those two excel at it) to his rant persona.

[benfranklin1776]

18. Yes 🙌🏼 He's a treasure!

Others need to emulate his good example. 👏🏼👏🏼

[OLDMDDEM]

2. I have been hooked on Lawrence form the beginning.

[young_at_heart]

26. You're not alone!

I remember the first time I saw him (same with Rachel) and I immediately noticed a difference. Everything about his delivery was exceptional and I have to say......that has not changed. I only wish the MAGATs would watch (and really listen) him! Unfortunately, they wouldn't listen with an open mind.

[Moostache]

3. It would be nice if anyone cared about Russia invading Polish airspace 1/1,000 th as much as Kirk or Epstein...

Just sayin'... one set of priorities are geopolitical and massively important and the other are culture-warrior horse shit and manure that used to be the sole province of The National Enquirer level outlets. I half expect the media to run a 30th anniversary of the "BatBoy" cover and spend a few weeks ignoring everything else.

[senseandsensibility]

5. That is a huge story

It definitely deserves much more attention. But IMO the media doesn't want to cover it because it reflects poorly on trump.

[zorbasd]

7. UAE, this time

[calguy]

8. Unfortunately, as much as we love and admire Lawrence

a very low percentage of Americans actually watch his show.

[senseandsensibility]

10. I agree

Still, I do what I can to promote him and I hope others do too. You can watch his show online, so he reaches more people that way.

[ancianita]

36. Perception is NOT perspective! Lawrence is THE reason Americans in red states bitch at their reps re prices & tariffs,

because four nights a week he got the damn word out about what tariffs really are and how stupid this prez and his henchmen are AND think their base are.

Now they've been getting blowback. And there's nothing good trump does to offset that new DISTRUST of his mental and political competence and leadership.

May 2024, reporter Brian Stelter noted that O'Donnell's program was among the top 10 highest-rated cable news shows, with viewership around 1.6 million viewers per night.

In March 2024, Nielsen data cited by Adweek showed The Last Word as MSNBC's most-watched show in terms of total viewers, with 1.65 million viewers.

In June 2025, an uptick in ratings for O'Donnell's show was attributed to the feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk. On one Thursday, the program drew nearly 1.5 million viewers.

Sure, he's got time slot competition. The Last Word at 10 p.m. ET consistently beats CNN in total viewership but typically faces tough competition from Fox News' Gutfeld!.

Demographics: O'Donnell's audience is strongest among older viewers (Baby Boomers) and men. But so what. Boomers VOTE.

In April 2025, his program was one of only two MSNBC shows to appear in the month's top 15 cable news programs for total viewers

Do not shortchange the best thinker on cable news. Americans are paying attention and spreading his knowledge.

[RussBLib]

11. help spread the word, then

https://russblib.blogspot.com

[JI7]

33. Clips of him get high views on social media

we can help increase that.

[ancianita]

34. Not true. He's got high numbers.

[calguy]

35. High numbers for his cable news timeslot

but as a percentage of the population, not that many tune into cable news.

[ancianita]

38. His numbers are competitive.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20651870

[erronis]

9. It's also important to note that the White House Press Corp was totally reconstructed by this empire

It's become a convent of the consort press. And if one reporter strays, they and their owners are ex-communicated -- perhaps until several million$ are exchanged.

[senseandsensibility]

12. And that will continue until they stand up for themselves

I'm afraid. They should have done so in the beginning when the AP was banned. But they have rolled over at every opportunity.

[calimary]

23. "The consort press." I like that!

And the more I think about it, the more I like it. It’s rapidly turning from like into LOVE.

[erronis]

24. I ain't the first to use these terms to talk about the press concubines.

Thanks!

(Just as some background, I have some real historical experience with the WH press corps.)

[H2O Man]

13. Recommended.

Lawrence is the best.

[bluestarone]

37. 100% agree!!

[BHDem53]

14. The Last Word is the only show I watch on MSNBC.

[ancianita]

40. Same here. I read subtitles and put on audio when an expert appears, but generally do other stuff here

while waiting for Lawrence. But I'm still sure to give MSNBC my nightly viewership time.

[proud patriot]

17. I love Lawrence

He calms me like Dan Rather used to .

[dobleremolque]

19. "Journalism is printing something that

someone does not want printed. Everything else is public relations."
George Orwell

[senseandsensibility]

20. Perfect!

That is exactly right.

[ancianita]

21. Lawrence has been ON it, totally disdains the stupid WH press, & slams media for its anti-Democratic bias

start 11:12

[senseandsensibility]

22. Thanks for posting those!

[Quanto Magnus]

25. When Lawrence took over

for Keith Olbermann so many years ago, I was skeptical. He has really done a great job!!

[Hassler]

27. This would be the same O'Donnell who didn't

Quit MS Whatever it is over the firing of Dowd for his accurate critique about violent speech leading to violence. But then, neither did Maddow or Hayes. "Liberal" MS was the first network to fold to censorship. They are all rich, how much money do they need to do the right thing?

[badhair77]

29. Just a thought -

If they quit who will take their places? Perhaps it is best to keep them with a voice on other causes we care about?

Do you think the network would hire other firebrands?

[ancianita]

39. And somehow that whatever-you're-referring-to event offsets their long term strengths?

MSNBC isn't losing in the federal courts for LYING.

Considering today's state of media bias, don't make the perfect the enemy of the good.

[BComplex]

28. Lawrence is GREAT! I also love Chris Hayes. I really miss Joy Reid.

MSNBC right wing management screwed everything up so badly.

[quakerboy]

30. It aint just the press corps

Its here too. Epstein is all but wiped from the front pages so we can discuss the distraction of the day.

Its very discouraging to see it work here. lets get back on topic.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

31. I loved the coverage last night on the trump lawsuit against the NYT

.

[yellow dahlia]

32. Lawrence's opening segments are must watch tv.

He brings honesty and stern reality, and delivers it with intelligent eloquence.

[SunSeeker]

41. Yes, and tonight also was no exception. He was on fire! nt

[yellow dahlia]

45. The fire and the sternness have increased over recent months,

as warranted by the times..

[Bengus81]

42. So...he basically said the same thing that got Kimmel fired

MSNBC would never fire him or the whole crew would walk along with I would say most ALL of their viewers. Corporate at MSNBC knows that more than anyone.

[Upthevibe]

43. Kick. N/T

[dlk]

44. If more judges awarded fees in meritless lawsuits

There wouldn’t be quite as many filed.

The goal is as much for political grandstanding in the press, and to bankrupt defendants, for spite, as it is for any legitimate legal purpose.

[GoodRaisin]

46. K&R