The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Trump says Trump’s impossible third term is a desperate diversion from his cruelties
Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC

Overview

In this episode, Lawrence O’Donnell critically examines Donald Trump’s public musings about an impossible third presidential term, highlighting how such talk serves as a smokescreen to divert attention from more pressing and damaging policy decisions, particularly the suspension of food aid to the world’s poorest and to Americans in need. The show also explores the dysfunctionality of the current Congress, the politicization of the Justice Department, the misuse of government resources at high levels, and the campaign dynamics in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, while featuring expert guests and lawmakers who deliver inside perspectives and historical context.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The "Trump Third Term" Diversion

• Timestamps: [02:15] – [10:45]
• O’Donnell calls out Trump’s hints at seeking a third term as a “desperate diversion” meant to distract media and public attention from policies such as cutting off international aid and domestic food stamps.
• Trump finally acknowledges, under pressure from Republicans, that a third term is constitutionally impossible. O’Donnell details the 22nd Amendment's origins, emphasizing Republican authorship after FDR.
• Notable Quote – Lawrence O’Donnell:

  “This program always recognized the Trump third term talk as a diversionary tactic, not to be indulged, but only to be identified as the diversionary tactic that it is.” ([02:15])

• Trump’s claim of having “the highest numbers I’ve ever had” is debunked by O’Donnell with polling history—Trump lags behind every other Republican president in approval ratings.

2. Trump Justice Department's Retaliation Against Honest Prosecutors

• Timestamps: [12:45] – [19:22]
• O’Donnell highlights DOJ actions: Two federal prosecutors were put on leave after submitting a sentencing memo for a January 6 defendant that properly described the Capitol riot and referenced Trump’s actions. The memo was censored, and the prosecutors were removed, signaling the White House’s intolerance for inconvenient truths.
• Guest: Ken Dilanian, MSNBC Justice/Intelligence Correspondent
  Ken provides background on how this memo was altered and how such overt manipulation sends a chilling message through the DOJ.

  “They locked them out of their devices, locked them out of their offices, and escorted them out... It’s the message they wanted to send. You run afoul of the received truth at your peril.” ([17:50])

3. Misuse of the FBI Director’s Jet

• Timestamps: [13:45] – [17:50]
• Reports surface of current FBI Director Kashyap Patel using the government jet for personal trips, notably to see his girlfriend—something described as unprecedented and a stark misuse of taxpayer-funded resources, especially during a government shutdown.
• Ken Dilanian shares:

  “Wherever he decides to go, he’s happy to take the jet, whether it’s a sporting event or an event with his girlfriend. And people are noticing that, particularly at a time when there’s a government shutdown.” ([15:30])

4. New Jersey Gubernatorial Race: Mikie Sherrill Interview

• Timestamps: [20:51] – [29:17]
• Interview with Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Democratic candidate for New Jersey governor, who focuses on affordability and fighting to protect the Gateway Tunnel project critical for NJ commuters, especially after Trump’s administration cuts funding.
• Sherrill sharply contrasts her “fighting” approach to her opponent Jack Ciattarelli’s deference to Trump.
• Notable Quote (Sherrill):

  “On day one, I am getting to work and driving costs down here in New Jersey. This is not a ten year program... On day one, I am getting to work.” ([24:09])

• On education and mental health:

  “We still need to address learning loss, which is why I’ve constantly been focused on things like high intensity tutoring, evidence based to help kids catch up... I'm passing my kids online safety agenda when I get into office.” ([27:28])

5. Congressional Dysfunction & The House Shutdown

• Timestamps: [30:46] – [38:48]
• O’Donnell, quoting Rep. Jim McGovern, calls out Speaker Mike Johnson for essentially “abolishing the House of Representatives” with a six-week break, undermining Congressional oversight and legislative action.
• The discussion centers on the personal abdication of duty by Republican leaders, and specifically John Thune’s move to block funding for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), a program historically supported by Republicans like Bob Dole.
• Notable Quote (McGovern):

  “Mike Johnson ought to tell his Republicans to get their ass on a plane and come back to Washington and get to work. Republicans are big on demanding work requirements for people on SNAP... There ought to be work requirements for Republicans to actually show up and do their job if they want a paycheck.” ([34:10])

• McGovern details the availability of contingency funds for SNAP, and the Trump administration’s willful refusal to distribute aid.

6. Trump’s Misleading Tariff Claims & Congressional Authority

• Timestamps: [38:59] – [44:11]
• Trump repeats false claims to the press about U.S. wealth stemming from tariffs, which O’Donnell meticulously rebuts, explaining that tariffs are paid by Americans, not foreign countries, and do not produce revenue usable for domestic relief.
• O’Donnell decries the press corps’ lack of economic policy understanding, enabling Trump’s misinformation.
• Guest: Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA)—top Democrat on the House Budget Committee—explains Congressional authority over tariffs and the consequences of an idle House.
• Notable Quote (Boyle):

  “So today was actually significant in the Senate because we finally saw... five Republican senators actually break rank and finally end this alleged emergency power that Trump has been abusing. The downside, however, of course, is the bill now has to come over to the House of Representatives, which is apparently closed for business...” ([41:36])

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Lawrence O’Donnell:

  “Donald Trump knows none of that because it lives in a space called history, about which Donald Trump is functionally illiterate.” ([08:44])

• Jim McGovern:

  “Donald Trump ran for president saying that he wanted to put America first... He lied. He’s hurt those very people. He wants to take food away from hungry people... What the hell is wrong with him?” ([35:27])

• On January 6th Prosecutors:

  “This attempt to rewrite history in plain sight as we all see what they've done... you have to do what Donald Trump wants done. And what he wants done is no mention of January 6th as a riot...” (Ken Dilanian, [17:50])

Structure & Flow

• The episode opens with an analysis of the “Trump 3rd term” idea, quickly exposing it as a red herring.
• Shifts focus to institutional issues: DOJ suppression, FBI plane abuse, and Congressional abdication.
• Interviews with Rep. Mikie Sherrill and Rep. Jim McGovern ground the discussion in contemporary electoral and legislative battles.
• O’Donnell closes with a critique of failed press accountability and a final debunking of the Trump tariffs mythology.

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump Third Term Diversion Exposed: [02:15] – [10:45]
• DOJ and Prosecutor Punishment over January 6th: [12:45] – [19:22]
• FBI Director Jet Abuse: [13:45] – [17:50]
• NJ Gubernatorial Campaign (Sherrill Interview): [20:51] – [29:17]
• Congressional Dysfunction – Rep. McGovern: [30:46] – [38:48]
• Tariff Myths & Press Accountability (Boyle Interview): [38:59] – [44:11]

Tone

• O’Donnell’s tone is sharply critical, analytical, and at times sardonic—especially in his references to Trump’s ignorance, Congressional dereliction, and press incompetence.
• The guests provide sober, fact-based perspectives, often mixing exasperation with calls to action and reminders of institutional legacy.

This episode is essential listening for anyone concerned with current U.S. political dysfunction, the dangers of media distraction, and the ways in which diversionary tactics are deployed to mask real policy harm.