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Lawrence O’Donnell’s Extended Absence from MSNBC’s The Last Word Due to Health Issues

MSNBC anchor Lawrence O’Donnell, known for his incisive commentary on The Last Word, has found himself out of action for a longer duration than originally anticipated due to health complications. Initially planned as a one-week break, O’Donnell’s time away has been extended following the onset of an infection.

On March 27, O’Donnell took to social media to inform his followers about his situation, thanking colleagues for stepping in during his absence. “Thanks to @msnbc team @CapehartJ @AliVelshi @jrpsaki for filling in for me. My week off turned into 2 weeks after I picked up an infection,” he shared on X, expressing hope for a return to the show the following week.

His message conveyed optimism as he anticipated returning to The Last Word soon, yet he was noticeably absent from the episode on March 31, which was instead hosted by MSNBC reporter Symone Sanders.

Support has poured in from fans expressing their well wishes. Comments on social media reflected a genuine concern for O’Donnell’s health, with users encouraging him to focus on recovery and reiterating the importance of his insights during these tumultuous times. One fan wrote, “Feel better @Lawrence, see you next week,” while another noted, “I’m glad that you are taking care of yourself. We all look forward to seeing you back when you’re ready.” Comments ranged from appreciation for his work to expressions of hope for his swift recovery.

At 73, O’Donnell has been a fixture of MSNBC since he began hosting The Last Word in 2010, typically airing Monday through Thursday with guest hosts on Fridays. His recent break comes on the heels of a particularly taxing political landscape, which he openly addressed last month when announcing his brief hiatus from the show due to feeling “exhausted” by the news cycle surrounding former President Trump.

During a March 12 broadcast, he revealed to his colleague Rachel Maddow that he had mistakenly thought he was on day 92 of Trump’s presidency, commenting, “It turns out it’s day 52, Rachel, and I’m exhausted at day 52, and so, I’m going to take next week off.” He assured viewers that this break was a proactive decision to recharge ahead of the demanding coverage expected over the coming weeks.

O’Donnell’s hiatus coincides with notable changes at MSNBC, with the network undergoing significant personnel shifts in recent months. Notably, longtime anchor Joy Reid departed, and Alex Wagner was removed from her prime-time spot, though both remain with the network in different capacities. Meanwhile, legal correspondent Katie Phang also saw changes to her role.

The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell, Weeknights, 10/9 c, MSNBC

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