Few people have the sharpness and directness necessary to dissect the chaotic nature of Donald Trump’s current campaign as well as MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell. In a scathing segment, O’Donnell tore into Trump’s latest incoherent public appearances, exposing the flaws in Trump’s claims about economic policy and the absurdity of his campaign’s messaging. As Trump continues to bumble through speeches and interviews, his strategy is increasingly reliant on empty rhetoric, a tactic that O’Donnell brilliantly dissects for what it is: a desperate attempt to maintain relevance.

O’Donnell’s takedown began with Trump’s recent speech at a meeting of New York’s elite, where the former president offered nonsensical statements about child care and tariffs. In a now-infamous clip, Trump rambled through a response on child care, barely managing to make a coherent point. “Child care is child care,” Trump stammered, before shifting to a bizarre tangent about taxing foreign nations. Trump’s speech was a jumble of disconnected thoughts, and O’Donnell rightfully pointed out that Trump’s inability to articulate a clear economic policy is not only embarrassing but dangerous.

O’Donnell’s scorn didn’t stop at Trump’s speech itself. He turned his attention to the audience—the wealthy elites who sat and applauded Trump’s incoherent musings. “The guy talking isn’t the problem,” O’Donnell said. “It’s those people clapping that have brought this country to this crisis point in its history as a democracy.” The host underscored the troubling dynamic of Trump’s support base, which seems willing to accept his nonsensical statements without question, simply because of his wealth and status.

This is where O’Donnell’s critique becomes especially poignant. He emphasizes the disconnect between Trump’s wealth and his competence. The assumption that being rich equates to being fit for leadership is a deeply flawed notion, one that O’Donnell expertly debunks. Trump inherited his wealth and, as O’Donnell points out, has largely failed upward throughout his career. “When you inherit enormous wealth, you have the luxury of bankrupting your way to a business that finally works,” O’Donnell said, highlighting the privilege that Trump has enjoyed throughout his life—something most Americans will never experience.

O’Donnell isn’t the only one calling out Trump’s economic incompetence. During the same segment, MSNBC aired clips of other commentators and financial experts, including analysts from Goldman Sachs, who highlighted the flaws in Trump’s economic proposals. Trump’s tariff policies, in particular, came under heavy criticism. Tariffs, which Trump claims will save the American economy, are essentially taxes on consumers, driving up the cost of goods and exacerbating inflation. Yet Trump touts them as a silver bullet for the nation’s economic woes.

In fact, Goldman Sachs recently released an analysis that found Kamala Harris’ economic plans would likely lead to greater economic growth than Trump’s tariff-heavy proposals. O’Donnell cited the report as further evidence that Trump’s supposed expertise on economic matters is nothing more than a facade. The idea that Trump is a savvy businessman who can fix the economy is contradicted by his actual track record, which includes tripling the national debt, leaving office with fewer jobs than when he entered, and failing to manage the COVID-19 pandemic effectively.

The critique of Trump’s handling of the economy extended beyond O’Donnell’s sharp words. Other experts noted that Trump’s policies are inherently inflationary. His plans to impose a 10% tariff on all imports would not only increase the cost of goods but also lead to retaliatory tariffs from other countries, further harming the U.S. economy. Trump’s insistence on pursuing such disastrous policies reveals either a deep ignorance of economics or a cynical willingness to mislead his supporters.

Throughout the segment, O’Donnell didn’t just focus on Trump’s economic failures; he also addressed the broader implications of Trump’s leadership. Trump’s inability to provide coherent answers on major policy issues, such as child care, highlights his lack of preparation and understanding of the challenges facing ordinary Americans. Instead of offering solutions, Trump relies on vague promises and deflections, hoping that his bluster will be enough to carry him through. This approach worked in 2016, but as O’Donnell and other commentators have pointed out, the American public is starting to see through the facade.

Moreover, O’Donnell criticized Trump’s strategy of using wealth as a shield against accountability. Trump, according to O’Donnell, benefits from a form of “affirmative action for the rich,” where his failures are overlooked or excused simply because of his financial status. This dynamic allows Trump to avoid the consequences of his poor decision-making, whether in business or politics. It’s a luxury that most Americans—who don’t have the safety net of generational wealth—will never enjoy.

O’Donnell’s takedown of Trump is more than just a critique of one man’s campaign; it’s a broader indictment of a political culture that equates wealth with competence. Trump’s repeated failures, from his mismanagement of the pandemic to his incoherent economic policies, have had real consequences for millions of Americans. And yet, because of his wealth and status, he continues to be propped up as a viable candidate by certain segments of the population and media.

Ultimately, O’Donnell’s message is clear: Trump is not fit to lead, and his supporters’ willingness to overlook his glaring deficiencies is part of the problem. As O’Donnell said, “The assumption that his wealth somehow equates to intelligence or even more so him being fit for the presidency” is a dangerous misconception that has brought the country to the brink. It’s a misconception that O’Donnell and others are working to dismantle, piece by piece.

As the 2024 election approaches, it’s more important than ever for voters to critically evaluate Trump’s claims and his record. O’Donnell’s scathing takedown serves as a stark reminder that Trump’s wealth and bluster should not be mistaken for competence. If anything, his wealth has allowed him to fail without consequence—a luxury that most Americans can’t afford.