Jimmy Kimmel’s announcement that Rosie O’Donnell would take over as a week-long guest host for “Jimmy Kimmel Live” during his summer break was accompanied by a playful nod to Donald Trump. Kimmel hinted that this could be an unexpected “special treat” for Trump, who has maintained a 20-year grudge against O’Donnell after she mocked his bankruptcies on “The View” in 2006.
O’Donnell shared with Variety that she was “surprised” by the invitation to guest host, given her historically “adversarial relationship” with Kimmel and the fact that she had never been a guest on his show. Nonetheless, she was “thankful” and accepted the offer, influenced by her support for Kimmel amid Trump’s persistent attempts to cancel his late-night show over unfavorable jokes.
“I support [Kimmel] in what he’s doing with the First Amendment, and our ability as entertainers and citizens to speak out against our government that’s enshrined in the Founding Fathers’ writings about our government, so I think he’s fantastic,” O’Donnell stated. “And I wish that Stephen Colbert had the same kind of support when it happened to him, because he shouldn’t be gone either.”
On Monday night, O’Donnell kicked off her stint on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” by confidently walking onstage in a striking bright pink suit decorated with flowers. She was met with prolonged applause and chants of “RO-SIE! RO-SIE!” before she quipped, “If you thought the president hated ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ when it was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel? Buckle up, people! Buckle up.”
During her monologue, the former host of “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” and “The View” continued to target her long-time rival, joking, “I’ve been living in Ireland for the past two years because of ‘Mango Mussolini.’ I read that Project 2025 and said, ‘Gotta get myself out of here!’ and I decided to go to Ireland where people are driven to drink regardless of who’s running their country.”
At one point, she turned to the camera to directly address Trump, saying, “Hi! I know you’re watching!”
O’Donnell appeared poised and in control as she returned to late-night TV hosting, sharing humorous anecdotes about her time in Ireland, including the friendliness of strangers compared to New York City, their passionate drinking habits, and her attempt to ask out her (straight) pharmacist. She also enjoyed delightful interactions with her guests, such as “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham, who expressed her admiration by saying, “I can’t believe I’m talking to Rosie O’Donnell… I’m losing my mind!” and “Schmigadoon!” star Ana Gasteyer.
In a touching moment between guest segments, O’Donnell became emotional as she paid tribute to the late Hayden Panettiere, who sadly passed away on Sunday at the age of 36. Panettiere had often appeared as a child actress on “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.”
Expressing her sorrow, O’Donnell said, “I’m just heartbroken over the passing of Hayden Panettiere last night. She was on my show many times as a little girl, and I got to know her as a grown woman. And she was so brave talking about mental health before people were really ready to hear about it, and very sad. My love to her family and friends, and she will be missed. Godspeed, Hayden.”
Overall, O’Donnell seemed to handle her role as a late-night host with ease. Cue the anticipated Trump reactions.
