MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell criticized President Donald Trump’s second term, describing it as the stupidest presidency in American history, during his show on Tuesday night, July 8, 2025. O’Donnell also remarked on what he perceives as the incompetence of the White House press corps covering this administration.
On “The Last Word,” O’Donnell shared his views following a Cabinet meeting conducted by Trump earlier that day. O’Donnell, who has been vocal in his criticism of Trump for years, had previously taken a break from his show in March, expressing that he was exhausted at Day 52 of covering Trump’s presidency.
O’Donnell likened Trump’s presidency to scripting a television drama, suggesting that a fictional president lacking intelligence would depend on capable staff and avoid media interactions to prevent exposure by the press.
However, O’Donnell argued that this is not the case with the current administration. He contended that Trump’s presidency represents the stupidest presidency in U.S. history, yet the journalists covering it fail to thoroughly address his errors.
He cited an instance during the Cabinet meeting when CNN’s Kaitlan Collins inquired about who authorized the pause in military aid to Ukraine without Trump’s knowledge. Trump’s response was, “I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” before moving to another question.
O’Donnell noted that previous American presidents would not have provided such a dismissive answer to a significant question. He accused Trump of intimidating the White House press corps to the extent that they do not challenge his inadequate responses.
He further criticized reporters who support Trump and have joined the White House press corps, stating that their presence undermines the press corps’ integrity.
This criticism arises amid increased attacks by Trump’s team on media organizations. The White House has threatened to reduce federal funding for NPR and PBS, barred Associated Press journalists from events, and exerted control over the media pool, typically managed by news organizations.
The most significant dispute involves the Associated Press, which refuses to adopt Trump’s new name for the Gulf of Mexico. Despite Trump’s order renaming it the Gulf of America, the AP continues to refer to it as the Gulf of Mexico while acknowledging Trump’s change.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended excluding AP reporters from events, stating that covering the White House is a privilege, and outlets disseminating falsehoods will face repercussions. Leavitt maintained it is a fact that the waters off Louisiana’s coast are termed the Gulf of America.
The Associated Press has filed a lawsuit against the government, arguing that these restrictions infringe upon the First Amendment. AP Executive Editor Julie Pace alleged that the White House is penalizing the news organization for its editorial choices, which contravene constitutional principles.
Trump has also targeted public broadcasting by signing an order to cut funding for NPR and PBS. The administration claims these organizations use taxpayer money to spread radical left-wing propaganda under the guise of news and wants to halt all federal funding.
Congress has already approved $535 million for public broadcasting this year, with allocations extending through September 2027. The House voted in June to support Trump’s proposal to eliminate $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funding over two years, but the Senate has yet to vote.
PBS President Paula Kerger described Trump’s order as illegal, asserting that Congress established public broadcasting to be independent of presidential control. NPR CEO Katherine Maher argued that the funding cuts would breach federal law and the First Amendment.
The administration has also acted against other news outlets, including removing eight news organizations from Pentagon offices and Trump’s lawsuit against CBS News concerning the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris.
Simultaneously, the White House has granted access to pro-Trump outlets such as the Epoch Times and One America News. Officials claim this inclusion brings diverse perspectives, but critics argue it rewards favorable coverage while penalizing critical reporting.
Trump asserted that the Associated Press has been incorrect about the 2020 election and unfair to him and the Republican Party. He stated that restrictions will persist until news organizations comply with his demands.
O’Donnell’s criticisms of Trump are not new, as the TV host has consistently questioned Trump’s intelligence and decisions, with occasional retractions or apologies.
The White House Correspondents Association condemned the administration’s actions against the Associated Press, emphasizing that the government cannot dictate how news organizations report stories or penalize journalists for editorial decisions.
Press freedom organizations have denounced the administration’s tactics. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression stated that penalizing journalists for not adhering to government-approved language undermines press freedom and violates the Constitution.
These ongoing conflicts raise significant questions about the balance of power between the government and press independence during Trump’s second term. O’Donnell’s critique of both the administration and the media covering it reflects broader concerns about changes in political journalism under substantial government influence.
