Jimmy Kimmel announces longtime Trump nemesis Rosie O’Donnell as host during two-month hiatus
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Jimmy Kimmel is taking a two-month hiatus from his late-night show and is hiring none other than comedian and Donald Trump’s longtime nemesis Rosie O’Donnell as one of the few guest hosts to take over during his time off.
“I hope you’ll pay attention this summer because I’m going to take the next two months off, this time willingly,” he joked on Thursday night’s episode. Jimmy Kimmel Live! – referring to ABC pulling his show last September over comments he made about the death of Charlie Kirk.
Kimmel said a “powerful executive team” will begin filling in starting July 6, including Colman Domingo, Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson and Jelly Roll.
“And as a special treat to our headliner, I’ve asked one of his all-time favorites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to cover the hits,” he said, prompting laughter and cheers from the audience.
O’Donnell and Trump have been at loggerheads since the former host Watching criticized him in 2006 on a daytime talk show.
This rivalry seemed to reach a new height at the beginning of 2025 when the actor revealed that he had moved to Ireland, becoming one of the few celebrities who left the United States after winning the second election of Trump. O’Donnell cited the pressure of Trump’s political presence and his threats to strip her of her US citizenship as reasons for her departure.
In July 2025, months after his second inauguration, the US president wrote about stripping O’Donnell of his citizenship.
“He is a menace to Humanity, and should stay in the wonderful country of Ireland, if they want him,” he wrote in part for Truth Social. “GOD BLESS AMERICA.”
O’Donnell responded to the applause on Instagram, writing, “The president of the USA has always hated the fact that I see him for what he is – a criminal who sexually assaults a liar to hurt our nation to work for him – that’s why I moved to Ireland.”
Trump doubled down that September, sharing a distorted photo of O’Donnell’s face and other captions on Truth Social.
“As previously stated, we are seriously considering removing Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship,” he wrote. “He is not a Great American and, in my opinion, he cannot be!”
O’Donnell fired back with a scathing Instagram post, accusing Trump of using her as a diversionary tactic.
“You’re kicking me out again? Logan Roy.” I would be so proud,” he wrote under a screenshot of Trump’s post, referring to one of the lead characters in the drama series. Succession. “I’m a distraction – EPSTEIN SURVIVORS is your reckoning and golden lampthe throne is melting.”
As for Kimmel’s imminent departure and the “special treatment” of the host, the late-night host closed his announcement with one final message to Trump.
“All I’m asking you, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m not here, okay?” he laughed.
