Full Breakdown
Rosie O'Donnell Open to Guest-Hosting “The View” and Tapped for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Guest Spot
6/20/2026, 12:22:01 PM
Potential Return to “The View”
During a June 18 appearance on *Watch What Happens Live* with Andy Cohen, Rosie O’Donnell said she would be willing to guest-host *The View* if asked, but noted that the network has not yet extended an invitation. She framed the prospect in the context of the current political climate, suggesting that former co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck “is the perfect person they want on TV spouting their rhetoric” during the Trump era.
History of O’Donnell’s Tenure on “The View”
O’Donnell first joined *The View* as a moderator in 2006, leaving after one season following a heated on-air dispute with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck over the Iraq war, which culminated in a split-screen segment that O’Donnell later described as “a set-up.” She returned in 2014 as part of a revamp that emphasized less politics, but exited again in early 2015, citing stress after a prior heart attack and concerns about her health. Sources differ on the length of this second stint, reporting either five months or an eleven-month contract.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Summer Guest-Host Lineup
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announced a two-month voluntary hiatus beginning in July 2025 and revealed a rotating roster of guest hosts: Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, Jelly Roll, and Rosie O’Donnell. Kimmel described O’Donnell’s inclusion as “a special treat for our commander-in-chief” and added, “And all I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”
Political Feud Context
O’Donnell’s willingness to appear on *The View* and her selection for Kimmel’s lineup intersect with a long-standing public feud with former President Donald Trump. At a recent awards ceremony she labeled Trump “a conman, a narcissist, and a psychopath.” Trump, in turn, has publicly criticized Kimmel, calling him a “lowlife” and “seriously unfunny,” and has attacked O’Donnell’s presence as a “special treat” for him.
Criticism & Opposition
Trump’s remarks target both Kimmel’s show and O’Donnell’s involvement, framing the guest-host arrangement as a political provocation. O’Donnell has described Trump’s commentary as “the most bullying I ever experienced,” noting that it has affected her personally and professionally.
Data & Statistics
- *The View* tenures: 2006-2007 (1 season); 2014-early 2015 (5 months or 11 months per differing reports).
- Kimmel’s guest-host roster: 6 named personalities, including O’Donnell.
- O’Donnell’s prior television experience: six-season run of *The Rosie O’Donnell Show* (1996-2002) and two separate co-hosting periods on *The View*.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources disagree on the duration of O’Donnell’s second *View* stint—some cite a five-month departure, while others reference an eleven-month contract. No official statement from ABC clarifies the exact timeline.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I would be up to guest host, but they haven’t asked me.” — Rosie O’Donnell, Comedian
- “In the time of Trump, I think she’s the perfect person they want on TV spouting their rhetoric.” — Rosie O’Donnell
- “Ya, I’m still annoyed. Believe me, a mommy knows how to hold a grudge.” — Rosie O’Donnell
- “And all I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.” — Jimmy Kimmel, Host
- “He is a conman. He is a narcissist. And he is a psychopath, if you ask me,” — Rosie O’Donnell, Comedian
- “I think Kamala won.” — Rosie O’Donnell, Comedian
What’s Next
ABC has not confirmed an invitation for O’Donnell to guest-host *The View*. Kimmel’s summer schedule lists O’Donnell as a guest host, though exact air dates remain unspecified. Observers will watch whether O’Donnell’s expressed openness leads to a formal invitation from *The View* and how her appearance on *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* influences the broader media-political dynamic.
