Politics and daytime TV don't usually mix, but back in the mid-2010s, the rumor mill was absolutely obsessed with one specific pairing: Tamron Hall and Lawrence O'Donnell.
If you were scrolling through Twitter or checking out media blogs around 2011 to 2016, you probably saw the whispers. Two of the biggest names on MSNBC, both sharp, both incredibly private, and both—allegedly—in a committed relationship. But why did people care so much? And honestly, what was the actual truth behind the headlines?
The MSNBC Connection: More Than Just Colleagues?
The thing about Tamron Hall is that she’s always been a master of the "private, not secret" lifestyle. Long before she became a daytime powerhouse with her own eponymous talk show, she was the face of MSNBC Live. Lawrence O'Donnell, meanwhile, was the cerebral, slightly intense host of The Last Word.
They worked in the same building. They ran in the same circles. Naturally, the rumors started flying that the two were more than just coworkers.
For a few years, it was basically an open secret in the New York media world. They were spotted at events together. They were seen dining out. Yet, neither of them ever went on the record to say, "Yes, we are a couple." It’s kinda fascinating how they managed to keep it so low-key while being on national television every single night.
Why the rumors stuck
People loved the idea of them. You had Tamron, who is vibrant and energetic, paired with Lawrence’s more reserved, academic vibe. It was the ultimate "power couple" dynamic for news junkies. Some reports even suggested they were "long-term" partners, with a few tabloids going as far as to hint at marriage rumors back in 2016.
But as we know now, life took a very different turn for both of them.
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The Turning Point: 2017 and the Big Shift
If there was a "breakup" or a drifting apart, it coincided with one of the most chaotic years in Tamron’s career. 2017 was the year she famously walked away from NBC and MSNBC after the network decided to give her Today show slot to Megyn Kelly.
It was a messy, public exit. And interestingly, that’s right around the time the Lawrence O’Donnell talk started to fade out.
Tamron has since spoken about how that period of unemployment actually changed her life. It forced her to stop being "married to her career" and look at her personal life. She told People that she’d known her now-husband, Steven Greener, for years, but she never really saw him because she was so focused on work.
"With everyone else, it became an issue because work was my real boyfriend," Tamron famously said.
That quote says a lot. It suggests that her previous relationships—potentially including the one with Lawrence—might have taken a backseat to the grueling schedule of a cable news anchor.
Where Are They Now?
If you're looking for a reunion, don't hold your breath. Both have moved on to completely different chapters.
Tamron Hall is now happily married to Steven Greener, a music executive. They tied the knot in 2019 in a very private ceremony (shocker, right?) and welcomed their son, Moses, that same year. She’s currently killing it in daytime TV, winning Emmys and proving that there is definitely life after NBC.
Lawrence O'Donnell remains a staple of the 10 p.m. hour on MSNBC. Since his 2013 divorce from actress Kathryn Harrold, he has kept his dating life almost entirely out of the press. While his name is occasionally linked to other high-profile women in the industry, he's basically the Fort Knox of personal information.
What most people get wrong
The biggest misconception is that there was some big, dramatic falling out. In reality, it seems like two high-achieving professionals had a moment in time together and then moved on when their lives took different paths.
There’s no "bad blood" or public shade. In fact, if you watch old clips, they always spoke of each other with immense professional respect.
The Reality of Celebrity "Privacy"
Tamron Hall and Lawrence O'Donnell are a masterclass in how to handle fame. In an era where every influencer posts their "get ready with me" and every breakup is a ten-part TikTok series, they stayed old school.
They didn't owe the public an explanation then, and they don't now.
Actionable Insights for the Curious:
- Don't believe every headline: Tabloids in 2016 were convinced they were getting married; they weren't.
- Respect the "Private" boundary: Tamron has proven you can be a public figure without selling your soul (or your relationship) for clicks.
- Career shifts change relationships: Sometimes, leaving a high-pressure job is the only way to find the space for a "deepest, greatest love," as Tamron found with Greener.
If you’re still looking for clues, your best bet is to watch The Tamron Hall Show. She occasionally drops nuggets of wisdom about her past dating life, usually framed as advice for her viewers. Just don't expect her to name names—that's just not her style.
Check out the latest schedule for The Tamron Hall Show in your local listings to see how she’s turned her personal evolution into a daytime empire.