Comedian Rosie O'Donnell is slated to join the roster of guest hosts for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this summer, filling in for the titular host during his annual two-month hiatus. The announcement was made by Jimmy Kimmel himself during Thursday night's episode, where he detailed his plans to step away from the show. Kimmel indicated his departure would be "voluntary" this time, before revealing the lineup of celebrities set to take his place.
"And I asked one of his all-time favorites — Rosie O’Donnell — to be here to keep the hits coming." — Jimmy Kimmel, Host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Among the notable figures announced to guest host are Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll. Kimmel reserved one name for a dramatic reveal, eliciting a strong reaction from the studio audience. "And I asked one of his all-time favorites — Rosie O’Donnell — to be here to keep the hits coming," Kimmel stated, directly referencing President Donald Trump. The mention of O'Donnell sparked loud applause from the audience, to which Kimmel added, "You’re welcome."
This upcoming guest-hosting stint marks a return for O'Donnell to a prominent television hosting role, and it is widely anticipated to draw significant attention due to her well-documented, decades-long public feud with President Trump. The contentious relationship between the two public figures stretches back nearly two decades, originating from an incident in 2006. During an appearance on the daytime talk show "The View," O'Donnell publicly criticized President Trump's personal life and various business dealings. Her comments ignited a protracted war of words that has persisted for years, often playing out in media and public statements.
The rivalry gained national political prominence during President Trump's first presidential campaign. During a Republican primary debate, when confronted with accusations of having used derogatory language toward women, President Trump famously retorted, "Only Rosie O’Donnell." This comment, which drew laughter from the debate audience, further solidified their public animosity and became a memorable moment of the campaign trail. Since that time, both President Trump and O'Donnell have frequently exchanged criticisms, utilizing interviews, social media platforms, and television appearances as their respective platforms.
Kimmel, who has established himself as one of President Trump's most outspoken critics within the late-night television landscape, framed O'Donnell's guest-hosting role as a deliberate, tongue-in-cheek gesture aimed squarely at the President. He also light-heartedly urged President Trump to refrain from generating any major controversies while he was away. "All I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone," Kimmel quipped to his audience.
This summer break will be Kimmel's sixth consecutive extended hiatus from his program, a practice he initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued each summer, typically lasting approximately two months. As of now, ABC has only released the specific hosting schedule for Tiffany Haddish, who is set to appear during the week of July 6. The precise dates for O'Donnell's episodes have not yet been disclosed by the network. Kimmel is expected to resume his hosting duties shortly after Labor Day.
O'Donnell has maintained her vocal criticism of President Trump in recent years. Following the commencement of President Trump's second presidential term in 2025, she reportedly relocated to Ireland. More recently, earlier this month, O'Donnell attended the Tony Awards in New York City, where she once again publicly criticized President Trump during a red-carpet interview. Speaking to Variety, O'Donnell stated, "If you grew up in New York, you knew he was an asshole and a liar from day one." She further characterized President Trump as a "conman," a "narcissist," and a "psychopath."
With Rosie O'Donnell now integrated into the summer guest-host rotation for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", her long-running feud with President Trump appears poised to reclaim a prominent position on late-night television. This development is likely to generate renewed media interest and public discussion surrounding their enduring rivalry in the coming weeks.
