Lawrence O'Donnell Chokes Up When Detailing Harrowing Impact Of USAID Cuts
MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell fought back tears on air as he attacked 'soulless, mindless' President Donald Trump and Elon Musk for slashing funding that has led to children dying.
On Monday's 'The Last Word,' O'Donnell cited a New York Times column that explores the impact of the Trump administration's demolition of the U.S. Agency for International Development, an organization that in 2023 disbursed more than $43 billion for humanitarian aid, economic development and health programs around the world.
The piece, by columnist Nicholas Kristof, referenced Evan Anzoo, a 5-year-old boy from South Sudan born with HIV. He was 'a child as precious as yours or mine,' Kristof wrote.
The orphan was being kept alive by medicines that cost less than 12 cents per day, Kristof reported, funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. PEPFAR has been credited with saving more than 25 million lives since being launched by President George W. Bush.
But PEPFAR has been a victim of Trump's deep cuts to overseas aid. By early March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the purge of the six-decade-old agency, wrote on social media that 83% of USAID programs had been cut.
O'Donnell noted that Rubio had told Congress that 'no children are dying on my watch' as a result of the cuts.
But Kristof suggested otherwise, reporting that Evan's condition weakened and he died from an opportunistic infection after his medications were cut.
'Evan died on [Rubio's] watch,' said O'Donnell, who soon started to choke up. 'Evans of all ages are dying on Marco Rubio's watch, and no one is counting. And so we don't know as of tonight whether it's tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of Evans, but we know it will be.'
O'Donnell moved on to a New York Times column headlined 'Elon Musk's Legacy is Disease, Starvation and Death,' which cites Boston University research detailing how Musk's cuts to USAID's budget have led to an estimated 300,000 deaths, most of whom are children.
O'Donnell quoted a line from columnist Michelle Goldberg that argues, 'If there were justice in the world, Musk would never be able to repair his reputation, at least not without devoting the bulk of his fortune to easing the misery he's engendered.'
The anchor then went on to compare Musk's butchering of the federal government with the humanitarian efforts of fellow billionaire Bill Gates, who has 'has devoted his life and his billions' to saving children in Africa.
O'Donnell said this means Gates' verdict on the current richest person in the world is 'so important and powerful.'
'Bill Gates, the former richest person in the world, said, 'the picture of the world's richest man killing the world's poorest children is not a pretty one,'' continued O'Donnell.
He added, 'And the picture of the richest person in the world carrying around his drug box of ecstasy, Adderall, psychedelic mushrooms and then taking life-saving drugs away from the poorest people in the world is a picture only Donald Trump could have created.'
O'Donnell ended with a brutal assessment of Musk and Trump as 'soulless, mindless entities.'
Watch the attack on the Trump administration below.
I Am A USAID Worker Who Lost My Job. Here's What Trump And Musk Aren't Telling You About The Cuts.
Ex-USAID Head Says America Will 'Pay The Price' From Musk, Trump Attacking Agency
Secretary Of State Rubio Says Purge Of USAID Complete, Almost All Gone
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why Your Touch Language Might Be More Important Than Your Love Language
Most of us know our love language. We've taken the quiz, dropped it into dating bios, and probably used it to decode arguments. But there's something more primal, more telling, and arguably more important than how you like to 'receive love.' It's how you physically experience connection—your touch language. Touch is the first language we ever learn, and yet as adults, we rarely talk about it. Some of us crave closeness. Others feel smothered. And many are completely unaware of how touch (or lack of it) shapes the emotional climate of their relationships. Here's why it matters more than you think. Long before words or logic, touch told your nervous system whether you were secure or in danger. The way you were held, soothed, or ignored in infancy created your body's blueprint for connection. According to research published in the Attachment Project, touch plays a central role in shaping how your body responds to intimacy. If you flinch, freeze, or lean in—your reactions began long before adulthood. It's not about quantity—it's about the quality and timing of touch. Some people want pressure and grounding, others want light contact or none at all during stress. If your partner hugs you at the wrong time or in the wrong way, it can feel intrusive instead of loving. Touch mismatches create more tension than most couples realize. How you respond to being touched often reveals unprocessed trauma or emotional neglect. It bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the body's memory. As therapist Resmaa Menakem outlines, healing happens in the body—not just through talk. Your touch language can expose where your pain is stored. You're not 'needy.' They're not 'cold.' You just have different touch languages. One partner may crave constant closeness, while the other needs space to regulate their nervous system. This mismatch often gets mislabeled as incompatibility when it's really a failure to communicate sensory needs. What felt good at 25 may feel suffocating at 50. Touch needs evolve, especially during menopause, illness, or high-stress phases. Hormonal shifts can completely change how we process touch. Being aware of this can prevent miscommunication and emotional drift, as highlighted in Psychology Today. Many people assume sexual chemistry is about attraction. In truth, it's often about how well your touch styles align. Whether you prefer soft, exploratory touch or firm, grounding contact—your body has a preference. Erotic disconnect often starts with these unspoken differences. If you melt from one shoulder squeeze or tear up during a hug, it's not random. It's likely your body has been touch-starved for far too long. As this New York Times article highlights, chronic touch deprivation can affect mental health as profoundly as emotional neglect. Sometimes the ache isn't for love—it's for contact. If you grew up in a cold or chaotic household, you might associate touch with control or danger. This creates a paradox: craving touch but fearing it. Understanding your touch language helps you decode this confusion and build safety at your own pace. A sudden withdrawal from physical contact is often the first sign something's off. Touch is where emotional distance first shows up—long before words catch up. Pay attention to how you instinctively reach for (or recoil from) your partner. That body language often says what your mouth won't. Knowing your touch language isn't just about others—it's about boundaries. Do you override discomfort because you 'should' be touched? Do you say yes with your body but no with your nervous system? Learning your yeses and no's in the language of touch builds true self-trust. Safe, attuned touch has the power to rewire trauma. It creates new associations in the nervous system—where pain used to live, safety can now take root. Whether through hugs, massages, or simply hand-holding, healing often starts with skin-on-skin presence, not just talking it out. Touch dynamics often mirror control dynamics. Do you flinch when someone reaches out? Do you need to initiate to feel safe? Your touch patterns reveal whether you associate closeness with danger or connection. It's insight most people never realize they need. Touch can instantly calm the nervous system—or spike it. Depending on tone, pressure, and context, a simple gesture can send a message of safety or threat. It's why couples who touch often but poorly still feel disconnected. Co-regulation only works when the touch actually feels good to both people. You can fake words. You can even fake listening. But your body's reaction to touch is real-time touch language is where your emotional history, unmet needs, and secret desires live. And learning to speak it—fluently and compassionately—can transform your relationship far more than any love language quiz.
Time Business News
8 minutes ago
- Time Business News
When to Choose Strattera Over Adderall
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of people worldwide, leading to difficulties with focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While stimulant medications like Adderall are often the first line of treatment, non-stimulant options such as Strattera (atomoxetine) can be a more appropriate choice in certain situations. Understanding when to choose strattera vs adderall involves evaluating factors such as the patient's medical history, potential side effects, risk of substance abuse, and overall treatment goals. When managing depression and anxiety, selecting the appropriate medication is crucial for effective treatment. Both medications in question are popular SSRIs that help balance serotonin levels in the brain, improving mood and emotional stability. In the middle of this discussion, Lexapro vs zoloft often arises as a common comparison due to their similar uses but distinct side effect profiles and dosing schedules. While some patients respond better to one, others may experience fewer adverse effects or more rapid relief with the alternative. Consulting a healthcare provider is essential to tailor the choice to individual needs and medical history. Strattera and Adderall are both approved by the FDA for treating ADHD but function in very different ways. Adderall is a stimulant composed of amphetamine salts that work by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This results in improved attention, reduced impulsivity, and greater overall concentration. On the other hand, Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI), which means it primarily boosts norepinephrine without significantly impacting dopamine levels. Unlike Adderall, Strattera is not a controlled substance and carries a much lower risk of abuse. One of the primary reasons to choose Strattera over Adderall is when there's a concern about substance misuse or a history of addiction. Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and dependency. For individuals with a history of substance use disorder, Adderall may pose a serious risk. Strattera, being non-stimulant and non-addictive, offers a safer alternative. It allows for effective ADHD management without the risk of reinforcing addictive behaviors, making it particularly useful in populations vulnerable to stimulant misuse. Many individuals with ADHD also suffer from comorbid mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. In such cases, Strattera may be a better option than Adderall. Stimulants like Adderall can exacerbate anxiety symptoms in some patients, leading to increased restlessness, jitteriness, or panic attacks. Strattera, on the other hand, has shown some efficacy in improving symptoms of anxiety and may also provide mild antidepressant effects due to its norepinephrine-enhancing properties. Choosing Strattera can help manage both ADHD and accompanying mood or anxiety disorders without worsening either condition. Adderall, especially the immediate-release version, has a relatively short duration of action, requiring multiple doses throughout the day. Even the extended-release versions may wear off by late afternoon or evening. In contrast, Strattera is taken once daily and offers 24-hour symptom coverage. This can be particularly advantageous for individuals who need consistent control over their ADHD symptoms throughout the day and into the evening. Students, working professionals, or parents managing multiple responsibilities might find this steady effect preferable to the peaks and troughs associated with stimulant medications. While stimulants are effective for many people, they also come with a host of potential side effects, including insomnia, appetite suppression, irritability, increased heart rate, and elevated blood pressure. For some individuals, these side effects can be intolerable or even dangerous, particularly if they have underlying cardiovascular issues. Strattera generally has a milder side effect profile and is not associated with the same degree of appetite suppression or cardiovascular stimulation. Although it has its own set of side effects, such as nausea or fatigue, these are often more manageable and tend to lessen over time. In some clinical scenarios, a non-stimulant medication like Strattera is the preferred first-line treatment. For example, in younger children (especially those under six years of age), stimulants may not be recommended due to potential side effects and lack of data on long-term safety. Pediatricians may opt for Strattera as a gentler initial approach. Additionally, parents who are concerned about the stigma or potential long-term effects of stimulant use may feel more comfortable starting their child on a non-stimulant option. Stimulants such as Adderall can interfere with sleep, especially if taken later in the day. Sleep disturbances are a common complaint among stimulant users and can contribute to irritability, mood swings, and worsening of ADHD symptoms. Strattera is less likely to cause sleep disruption and may even help improve sleep quality for some patients. For individuals who already struggle with insomnia or erratic sleep patterns, Strattera may be the better treatment choice. One of the key differences between Adderall and Strattera is how quickly they take effect. Adderall typically produces noticeable results within hours, making it ideal for patients seeking immediate symptom relief. Strattera, however, requires several days to weeks to build up in the system and reach full therapeutic effect. For patients and clinicians willing to adopt a slower, more gradual treatment approach, this delayed onset can be worthwhile, especially given Strattera's longer-term stability and lower side effect profile. Because Adderall is a controlled substance, it comes with regulatory burdens such as limited refills, stricter prescribing rules, and potential stigma. Some patients or caregivers may prefer a treatment that does not involve these complications. Strattera, being non-controlled, can be prescribed more freely and refilled more easily. This can improve medication adherence and reduce the hassle associated with frequent doctor visits or pharmacy restrictions. In some cases, clinicians may not be completely certain whether a patient's symptoms are primarily due to ADHD or another condition such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related disorders. Since stimulants can exacerbate certain psychiatric symptoms or produce euphoria, starting with a non-stimulant like Strattera can be a safer way to assess a patient's response without clouding the diagnostic picture. If symptoms improve with Strattera, it may confirm that norepinephrine imbalance plays a role in the condition, guiding future treatment decisions. Choosing between Strattera and Adderall requires a personalized approach that considers the individual's medical history, lifestyle, comorbid conditions, and treatment preferences. While Adderall remains highly effective for many, Strattera presents a viable and often safer alternative for those with substance abuse risks, anxiety, sleep disturbances, or cardiovascular concerns. It is also a strong option for patients seeking all-day symptom coverage or those who prefer to avoid controlled substances. Consulting with a knowledgeable healthcare provider is crucial in determining which medication best aligns with the patient's needs and long-term goals. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
CNBC
39 minutes ago
- CNBC
Palantir CEO Karp says AI is dangerous and 'either we win or China will win'
Palantir CEO Alex Karp said the artificial intelligence arms race between the U.S. and China will culminate in one country coming out on top. "My general bias on AI is it is dangerous," Karp told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Thursday. "There are positive and negative consequences, and either we win or China will win." Karp has been a vocal advocate for U.S AI dominance. He told CNBC in January that the country needs to "run harder, run faster" in an "all-country effort" to develop more advanced AI models. In a recent letter to shareholders, he also touted Palantir's commitment to equipping and enhancing U.S. defense interests. The billionaire tech CEO said Thursday that the U.S. currently has a leg up in the AI race and Palantir is leading the way in making companies more secure and efficient with its tools. "There is no economy in the world with this kind of corporate leadership which is willing to pivot, which understands technologies, which is willing to look at new things, but also has deep domain expertise," he said. "Our allies in the West, in Europe, are going to have to learn from us." Shares of the Denver-based data analytics and AI software firm outperformed in 2024 and have continued their ascent in 2025 as investors bet on their software and work with key government contractors and agencies. The stock is up 74% this year, but investors have to shell out on a higher earnings multiple than its tech peers. "You don't like the price, exit," Karp said on Thursday in response. Karp also asserted that the company is "not surveilling Americans" in response to recent New York Times report that Palantir is helping the Trump administration gather data on Americans.
