MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell reacted strongly after a federal trade court stopped Donald Trump from putting huge tariffs in place. He said what Trump tried to do wasn’t just wrong—it was totally illegal and went against the U.S. Constitution. O’Donnell didn’t mince words, calling the plan “constitutionally insane,” meaning it made no legal or logical sense under the rules that guide how the country is supposed to work.
O’Donnell explained that the court didn’t just say no to Trump’s plan—they completely shut it down in the strongest way possible. The judges issued what’s called a “summary judgment.” That means they felt the case was so clear, there was no need for a trial or more arguments. The decision was unanimous, and not one of the judges, including one who was appointed by Trump himself, agreed with Trump’s reasons for the tariffs. None of them believed a word of his explanation.
O’Donnell said this ruling would likely have a big impact on the stock market. He predicted that once the news spread, stocks would shoot up the next day because the world would feel more stable again. He said the market would react positively to the fact that law and order were being restored in international trade. In his view, the ruling didn’t just stop a bad policy—it also embarrassed Trump on a global stage.
He also said this moment was proof that Trump failed in yet another attempt to twist the rules of the Constitution for his own benefit. O’Donnell was firm in saying that Trump keeps trying to act like he’s above the law, but this ruling showed that the courts are still working and still strong enough to block him when he crosses the line.
Even though Trump plans to appeal the decision, O’Donnell believes the message is clear: Trump’s ideas, when they go too far, can still be stopped. And for O’Donnell, this was not just about trade or politics—it was about protecting the very system of laws that the country is built on.
