Podcast Summary: "Trump Lashes Out at Fox Poll with Low Approval Ratings"
The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell
Release Date: June 20, 2025

1. Declining Approval Ratings for Donald Trump

The episode opens with a detailed analysis of recent Fox News polls indicating a significant drop in President Donald Trump's approval ratings. Contrary to his campaign focus on the economy, Trump faces substantial disapproval:

• Inflation: "64% of registered voters disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation" [02:15].
• Overall Economy: "58% disapprove of how he's handling the economy overall" [02:20].
• Foreign Policy: "57% disapprove of his foreign policy" [02:30].

The overall job approval stands at 46%, revealing a 54% disapproval among surveyed voters [02:45].

2. Trump's Reaction to Polls and Fox News

In response to the unfavorable polls, President Trump took to social media to criticize Fox News, accusing the network of bias:

• "Fox has been biased against me for years. They are always wrong and negative. It's why MAGA hates Fox News." [03:10].

Lawrence O’Donnell comments on the predictability of Trump's outbursts and his tendency to dismiss media criticism.

3. Congressional Investigations into Trump's Pardons

Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin sheds light on the repercussions of Trump's extensive pardon spree:

• "Not only has President Trump issued an unprecedented number of pardons in his second term, he has used his clemency powers to take an estimated $1.3 billion away from victims and survivors of crime." [04:30].

These actions have allowed criminals to evade restitution, undermining the rule of law and impacting both victims and taxpayers.

4. FBI's Role in Senator Alex Padilla's Detention

The episode delves into the controversial detention of Senator Alex Padilla, with Congressman Raskin demanding accountability from the FBI:

• "This assault on Senator Padilla... is another vivid episode of authoritarian tactics..." [07:00].

Senator Padilla recounts his harrowing experience of being forcibly detained without explanation [04:30].

5. Trump's Immigration Policies and National Impact

The discussion transitions to Trump's stringent immigration measures, highlighting their broader effects on America:

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Statement: "We're going to continue doing worksite enforcement operations even on farms and hotels..." [16:02].

Catherine analyzes how these policies not only target immigrants but also harm various industries:

• "These decisions hurt not only immigrants... but also harm America's global influence, national security, and the broader economy." [16:55].

Former Ambassador Patrick Gaspard emphasizes the negative economic and diplomatic consequences of Trump's immigration stance [21:12].

6. Economic Policies: Tariffs and Federal Reserve Independence

President Trump's imposition of new tariffs on steel and aluminum has sparked concerns about economic stability:

• Impact on Industries: "Cans are likely to be more expensive after President Trump's move to double tariffs on imported steel." [28:00].

Ron Insana discusses the potential degradation of the Federal Reserve's independence due to Trump's attacks on Chair Jerome Powell:

• "It's degrading the independence of the Fed in such a way that... investors will demand higher interest rates." [29:27].

7. US Steel Deal and Golden Share Arrangement

A groundbreaking deal involving U.S. Steel grants the White House a "golden share," granting unprecedented control:

• Lauren Hirsch Reports: "The structure would give President Trump and his successors a permanent stake in U.S. Steel." [34:17].

Ron Insana warns of the implications for future foreign investments and the blurring lines between government and private enterprises [35:52].

8. Foreign Policy: Russia-Ukraine War and Trump's Influence

The episode concludes with an examination of Trump's limited leverage in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict:

• Missile Strike in Kyiv: "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it deliberate terror." [39:34].

Bridget Brink, Democratic candidate for Michigan's 7th district, criticizes Trump's absence from the G7 meeting and underscores the need for robust U.S. support for Ukraine [40:35].

Conclusion

The episode paints a comprehensive picture of President Trump's waning popularity, controversial policies, and their far-reaching impacts domestically and internationally. Through expert interviews and insightful commentary, Lawrence O’Donnell underscores the challenges facing the current administration and the broader implications for American democracy and global standing.