The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell - Oct. 28 | Audio Only

Government Shutdown & Political Strategy - The program will not cover Donald Trump's potential third term, focusing instead on the issues he is trying to distract from, such as the Epstein files and government shutdown [1] - Speaker Mike Johnson fears public talk of a third term for Donald Trump, believing it hurts Republicans' chances of reelection to the House of Representatives [1] - House Republicans have been given a long vacation during the government shutdown, now in its 28th day [1] - Republicans are accused of weaponizing hunger by blocking funding for food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP), which affects 40% children [2] Healthcare Crisis & Policy - A Republican healthcare crisis is looming, with potential healthcare costs skyrocketing for millions of Americans [2] - There is no Republican healthcare plan in Congress, and Republicans have repeatedly tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act [2][5] - A $536 billion cut to Medicare is possible if Congress doesn't act due to the "one big ugly bill" [5] Tariffs & Trade - A majority of US senators, including five Republicans, voted against Donald Trump's tariffs on imports from Brazil [6] - The president imposed a 40% tariff tax on Brazil [6] - Tariffs are considered taxes on the American people, not paid by foreign countries [10][11] - Donald Trump imposed a new tariff on everything imported from Canada because Canada showed a TV ad quoting Republican President Ronald Reagan [14] Food Aid & SNAP Benefits - Money is running out for food stamps, potentially cutting off 40 million people, including 16 million children, from nutrition [34][35] - A standalone bill to keep food stamps going could easily pass with bipartisan support, but the House Speaker is not calling the House back into session [35][36] - 37% of residents are on SNAP in a county in Kentucky where 88% of votes were cast for Trump [39]