MSNBC‘s Lawrence O’Donnell was solely purported to be taking per week off, however a well being subject has seen the veteran information anchor sidelined from his nightly present, The Final Phrase, for longer than anticipated.
O’Donnell shared an replace with followers final Thursday (March 27), revealing that an an infection had put him out of motion. “Due to @msnbc workforce @CapehartJ @AliVelshi @jrpsaki for filling in for me. My week off changed into 2 weeks after I picked up an an infection,” he wrote on X.
He added, “Anticipate to be again @TheLastWord subsequent week.”
Due to @msnbc workforce @CapehartJ @AliVelshi @jrpsaki for filling in for me. My week off changed into 2 weeks after I picked up an an infection. Anticipate to be again @TheLastWord subsequent week.
— Lawrence O’Donnell (@Lawrence) March 27, 2025
Whereas O’Donnell mentioned he anticipated to be again this week, he was nonetheless lacking from Monday’s (March 31) episode. As an alternative, MSNBC reporter Symone Sanders crammed in for the absent host.
Followers shared their nicely needs with O’Donnell, with one X consumer writing, “Really feel higher @Lawrence, see you subsequent week.”
“I’m glad that you’re caring for your self. All of us sit up for seeing you again once you’re prepared,” mentioned one other.
“Lawrence take care of- this nation wants you to assist us perceive the reality / thanks sir your efforts are superb,” one other added.
One other wrote, “Sorry the holiday changed into sick days. You’ve been missed!”
“Get nicely. Lawrence. Your voice is way missed and wanted,” mentioned one consumer.
The 73-year-old O’Donnell has anchored The Final Phrase since 2010, internet hosting Mondays to Thursdays, with reduction presenters on Fridays. Final month, he revealed on air that he was taking per week off as a result of all of the President Trump information had “exhausted” him.
Talking to his MSNBC colleague Rachel Maddow, O’Donnell mentioned on the March 12 broadcast, “Right here’s the factor, that is day 52 [of Trump’s term]. I believed it was day 92. It seems it’s day 52, Rachel, and I’m exhausted at day 52, and so, I’m going to take subsequent week off.”
“I’m telling you that now as a result of I do know you don’t prefer it once I simply drift away,” he continued. “I’m simply taking subsequent week off, then I can come again and go along with you all the way in which to the hundred days.”
Maddow returned to internet hosting her present 5 nights per week following Trump’s return to the White Home. She agreed to cowl the primary 100 days of the presidency nightly earlier than returning to her common Monday slot.
O’Donnell’s absence comes amid a number of shake-ups at MSNBC over the previous few months. In February, the community parted methods with long-time anchor Pleasure Reid, dropped Alex Wagner from her nightly prime-time slot, and eliminated Katie Phang from her weekend slot. Phang and Wagner will each stay with the community in new roles; Wagner as a senior political analyst and Phang as a authorized correspondent.
The Final Phrase With Lawrence O’Donnell, Weeknights, 10/9 c, MSNBC