Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Rosie O'Donnell Renews Trump Feud in Kimmel Guest-Hosting Debut
Rosie O'Donnell is a famous comedian who used to be on TV a lot.
This week, she is filling in for Jimmy Kimmel, the host of a late-night TV show.
On her first night, she told jokes about Donald Trump, the president of the United States.
She said she moved to Ireland two years ago because she didn't like Trump's plans, including a document called Project 2025.
She also joked that Trump was probably unhappy that she was hosting the show.
O'Donnell and Trump have been arguing for a very long time, since she criticized him on The View in 2006.
Jimmy Kimmel picked O'Donnell and other funny people to host while he takes a summer break.
O'Donnell also talked about actress Hayden Panettiere, who died at the age of 36.
Panettiere was known for shows and movies like Heroes, Nashville and Scream.
O'Donnell said she was heartbroken and that Panettiere was brave for talking about mental health.
Rosie O'Donnell opened her first night as Jimmy Kimmel Live guest host by taking aim at President Donald Trump.
O'Donnell said she moved to Ireland two years ago because of Trump, citing Project 2025.
Jimmy Kimmel called O'Donnell a 'special treat' for Trump in his summer guest-host lineup.
The comedian revived a feud that began in 2006, when she criticized Trump on The View.
O'Donnell paid tribute to Hayden Panettiere, who died at 36 in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Who
- Rosie O'Donnell, guest host of Jimmy Kimmel Live; Donald Trump, the target of her jokes; and Hayden Panettiere, the late actress she honored.
- What
- O'Donnell's first night guest-hosting included jokes aimed at Trump and a tribute to Panettiere.
- When
- Monday night, the first of a four-night stint during Jimmy Kimmel's summer break.
- Where
- On Jimmy Kimmel Live; O'Donnell has lived in Ireland for two years, and Panettiere was found unresponsive in Greenville, South Carolina.
- Why
- O'Donnell opposes Trump and said Project 2025 led her to leave the US; she also honored Panettiere after the actress's death.
Trump's critics
Trump and his supporters
The long-running feud
Trump's critics
O'Donnell says she moved to Ireland because of Trump and Project 2025, and she keeps criticizing the president publicly.
Trump and his supporters
Trump has repeatedly attacked O'Donnell since she criticized him on The View in 2006, treating her remarks as personal attacks.
O'Donnell as Kimmel's guest host
Trump's critics
Kimmel gave O'Donnell a platform and called her a 'special treat' for Trump, framing the booking as comedy aimed at the president.
Trump and his supporters
O'Donnell joked that Trump 'hates' Jimmy Kimmel Live, suggesting the president and his allies view the show's repeated anti-Trump humor as a political campaign.
- Guest host
- Rosie O'Donnell
- Show
- Jimmy Kimmel Live
- Stint length
- Four nights
- Target of jokes
- President Donald Trump
- Feud origin
- 2006, during her time on The View
- On-air joke
- Said Trump is 'in the White House crying because I haven't mentioned him'
- Hayden Panettiere
- Died at 36; found unresponsive in Greenville, South Carolina
- Cause of death
- Under investigation; no foul play suspected