The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

Episode: Trump knows Homan can't survive if video of him with undercover FBI agents becomes public
Airdate: September 24, 2025
Host: Lawrence O’Donnell

Brief Overview

In this episode, Lawrence O’Donnell unpacks explosive new reporting on Tom Homan, Donald Trump’s appointee as "border czar," who was allegedly captured on FBI video accepting a $50,000 cash bribe from undercover agents. O’Donnell draws parallels to the infamous Abscam stings of the 1970s, explores ongoing Congressional demands for the release of the “Homan files,” and interrogates the Trump administration’s silence. The episode then shifts to Trump’s abrupt policy pivot on the Ukraine war, his latest legal troubles, and the broader implications for American democracy, featuring expert analysis from lawmakers and historians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tom Homan Bribery Allegations and the “Homan Files” (01:29–12:36)

• MSNBC and NYT Confirm Story:
  Reporting led by MSNBC’s Carol Lennig and Ken Dilanian, now corroborated by The New York Times, claims Tom Homan—appointed by Trump to a non-Senate-confirmed role—was videotaped by the FBI accepting $50,000 in cash as a bribe while running a consulting firm advising government contractors.

• White House Responses:
  The White House has been mostly silent. The Press Secretary inadvertently admitted on record that Homan met with undercover FBI agents, although she insists he did not actually take the money (08:57).

  “Mr. Homan never took the $50,000 that you're referring to, so you should get your facts straight, number one… You had FBI agents going undercover to try and entrap one of the President's top allies.”
  — White House Press Secretary (08:57)

  • O’Donnell highlights that this confirms at least part of the story: the meeting with FBI agents.

• Tom Homan’s Defense:
  On Fox News, Homan denies illegal behavior but does not categorically deny accepting the cash or meeting with the FBI (11:33):

  “Look, I did nothing criminal. I did nothing illegal… there’s a hit piece on me every two weeks. But keep coming, because you know what? Tom Homan isn't going anywhere.”
  — Tom Homan (11:33)

  O’Donnell points out what Homan didn’t say:

  “Tom Homan has not disputed a single thing reported by MSNBC. He did not deny taking the $50,000 in cash.”
  — Lawrence O’Donnell (12:36)

• Congressional & DOJ Demands:
  Both House (led by Rep. Jamie Raskin) and Senate Democrats (Sen. Klobuchar et al.) officially demand the FBI and DOJ release the Homan files, including recordings (06:20–07:40, 26:10–27:53).

  “We demand that both of you immediately turn over all recordings from Mr. Homan's meeting, as well as all files from this investigation of purported bribery involving Mr. Homan. This is an untenable situation.”
  — House Judiciary Committee, quoted by O’Donnell (07:13)

• Historical Context – Abscam Parallels:
  O’Donnell plays Abscam sting video and describes its impact (15:51–19:02):

  “…No criminal defendants have been able to convince juries they are not guilty after the juries have seen FBI videotape of the defendants taking cash from undercover FBI agents.”
  — Lawrence O’Donnell (19:02)

  He asserts that Trump and Homan fear similar footage surfacing.

2. Political and Legal Implications

With Rep. Eric Swalwell (20:07–24:10)

• FBI Evidence Practices:
  Swalwell explains the existence and security of the FBI’s electronic evidence (ELSUR) system, noting the impossibility of quietly destroying such evidence.

  “For a bribe this large, there's no deleting or unseen this. It's just a matter—does it take a Democratic House to subpoena this and show the American people…?”
  — Rep. Eric Swalwell (20:38)

• Broader Corruption Risks:
  Swalwell emphasizes why the conduct matters for public trust and fair business (22:37):

  “Small businesses and medium-sized businesses work very hard to earn government contracts… when you're competing against a guy like Homan who is saying he's got an inside track… that hurts everyone.”

With Sen. Amy Klobuchar (26:10–33:16)

• Republican Liability:
  Klobuchar links Homan’s appointment outside Senate confirmation to prior internal awareness of the bribery scandal (28:09):

  “100%. Because we would get that information if we were pursuing that… You just can’t allow this kind of corruption to occur in a high-ranking government official.”

• Other Administration Failures:

  • Trump’s avoidance of Democratic-proposed health care reforms and rural hospital funding.
  • Suppression of USDA hunger statistics, with Klobuchar noting:

    “Hunger is still there. It’s getting worse, and it’s not going to get better just because you stop measuring it.” (30:46)

3. Trump’s Ukraine Policy Reversal (34:27–40:04)

• Trump’s Stunning Admission:
  Trump reverses his longtime stance, now echoing Biden’s support for Ukraine:

  “After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine, Russia, military and economic situation… I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win…”
  — Lawrence O’Donnell quoting Trump (34:27–34:57)

• Analysis by Prof. Timothy Snyder:
  Snyder explains the new statement's significance and limitations:

  “The basis of our wrong-headed policy has been the assumption that Russia is a great power, it can’t be defeated, whereas history shows that various incarnations of Russia lose wars all the time.”
  — Prof. Timothy Snyder (37:14)

  But he notes Trump’s statement lacks specifics about U.S. aid, and that “statements are not action.”

4. Trump Lawsuits & Media Suppression (41:40–46:19)

• Trump’s Legal Diversions:
  Trump’s defamation lawsuits against the New York Times and Wall Street Journal thrown out, largely for lack of merit. O’Donnell and Barbara McQuaid agree these are strategic distractions:

  “It does seem that lawsuits are being used more as a weapon than a means of achieving justice.”
  — Barbara McQuaid (45:51)

• Suppression of Critics:
  Prof. Snyder draws attention to government efforts to sideline comedian Jimmy Kimmel, warning:

  “Comedy matters a lot. People get to truth by way of comedy… In Russia in the 2000s or in Germany, 1930s, when the comedians went, other things went after that.”
  — Prof. Timothy Snyder (40:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• O’Donnell on Trump’s general assembly speech and corruption:

  “Donald Trump is now the only president in history who decided to appoint someone… after that person had been recorded on video by the FBI accepting $50,000 in cash.” (03:44)

• O’Donnell on the consequences of evidence surfacing:

  “Donald Trump knows, and Tom Homan knows, that Tom Homan cannot possibly survive this story if the FBI videotape… becomes public.” (19:02)

• Swalwell on Congressional oversight:

  “It's all coming out, Lawrence. It's just a matter of time.” (20:07, 23:26)

• Klobuchar summarizing rural health crisis:

  “These Affordable Care Act premiums are going to go up 75%. 75% for 20 million Americans in rural [areas].” (29:33)

• Snyder on the power of public protest:

  “We need to protest in large numbers, call things out for what they are, and we can win issues of this size.” (41:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Homan Bribery Allegations and White House Response:

  • 01:29–09:36

• Tom Homan’s Fox News Interview:

  • 11:33–12:36

• Congressional Demands for Files:

  • 07:13–07:40; 26:10–27:53

• Abscam Historical Parallels:

  • 15:51–19:02

• Swalwell Interview (FBI Evidence & Corruption):

  • 20:07–24:10

• Klobuchar Interview (Confirmation & Healthcare):

  • 26:59–33:16

• Trump Ukraine Policy Reversal & Analysis:

  • 34:27–40:04

• Snyder on Comedy and Repression:

  • 40:32–41:35

• Barbara McQuaid on Lawsuits as Distraction:

  • 44:24–46:13

Episode Tone & Language

• The episode features O’Donnell’s signature mix of investigative sharpness, arch political critique, and historical perspective, with guests—lawmakers and scholars—matching his direct, occasionally wry, style.

Summary

This packed episode delivers a thorough, damning appraisal of new evidence suggesting corruption at the highest levels of Trump’s administration, specifically implicating Tom Homan. O’Donnell and guests expose the administration’s strategy of obfuscation and distraction, connect today’s scandals to historic moments of congressional bribery, and underline the mechanisms available for oversight and possible exposure of wrongdoing. The second half follows the ripple effects on both domestic and foreign policy—from corruption warping government contracts to a whiplash Trump pivot on Ukraine. Legal analysis and the dangers of suppressing critics round out a show deeply concerned with the fragility—and resilience—of American accountability.