MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell ‘fighting for $25m contract like Rachel Maddow’s’

The Last Word anchor has begun early discussions to renegotiate his contract, but execs at the network are reluctant to agree to his terms, it is claimed

Lawrence O’Donnell reportedly was a $25m contract (Image: Getty)

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell is trying to negotiate a $25 million contract, just like his colleague Rachel Maddow – on the condition that he is given a long break from his show, it is claimed.

The Last Word anchor reportedly has begun early discussions to renegotiate his contract, but execs at the network, which has seen its ratings plunge recently, are reluctant to agree to his terms.

It comes after Maddow, who hosts The Rachel Maddow Show, took a $5 million pay cut when she agreed to $25 million-a-year a-year five years contract in November.

An insider exclusively told The U.S. Sun that Lawrence, who has not presented The Last Word since March 13 “has been trying to renegotiate his contract”, adding: ”and what he wants is what internally everyone’s calling ‘The Rachel Maddow Deal’.”

The source claimed the deal he is calling for is akin to Rachel’s megabucks contract, which only requires her to appear on air once a week on Monday nights, but they do not think execs will give in to his demands.

Lawrence wants the same contract as Rachel Maddow, it is claimed (Image: Getty)

They said: “That’s working about one day a week and recording a podcast, which will never happen again.

“The fact Rachel got away with it under the old regime is one of the reasons the regime changed – it was just a crazy, silly contract.

“So, Rachel’s got this golden parachute, and they all want it.

“The overall ratings have been down and once [President] Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office are over, Rachel’s going back to one day a week.

“She’s Lawrence’s lead-in, so without Rachel, his numbers are going to go down as well.”

In his last appearance on the show, Lawrence announced he would be taking a break from his anchor duties.

Rachel, 51, has pledged to host her show every night for the first 100 days of the Trump administration.

In his last appearance Lawrence joked he did not make the same pledge as Rachel – but said he was taking next week off.

He said: “I know you’ve pledged to cover and be here for the first 100 days of the Trump presidency. I hope you noticed that I did not make that same pledge when you did.

“This is day 52. I thought it was day 92. 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.

“And I’m telling you that now because I know you don’t like it when I just drift away. I’m just taking next week off, then I’m going to come back and go with you all the way to the 100 days.”

Lawrence has not been on air since March 13 (Image: Getty)

If Lawrence stuck to his pledge he would have been back on air by Monday the 24th

The insider said the veteran newsman is concerned that once Rachel, whose show airs before his 10pm programme, has ended her 100 day stretch, his ratings might plummet and this could impact his negotiations unfavorably.

They said: “Lawrence’s thinking is that it’s not fair his numbers will take a hit when Rachel leaves again. He believes execs will blame him, and that that will ultimately be bad for his upcoming contract.”

The insider said that execs have told they will only offer him full-time anchor desk contract.

They also warned him that he should be careful with the new boss, MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler, who has sacked many of the network’s well-know on-air staff since being appointed to the role earlier this year.

The source added: “He might cut off his nose to spite his face. If they can survive without Rachel, they can survive without Lawrence.”