Rosie O'Donnell Guest-hosts “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and Takes Aim at President Trump

Jimmy Kimmel announced that Rosie O’Donnell would fill in as a week-long guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” while he is on summer vacation. The former “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” and “The View” host appeared onstage in a bright pink suit, greeted a cheering audience, and opened her monologue with a direct jab at President Donald Trump, warning viewers that the show would be “buckle[d] up.” Throughout the episode O’Donnell delivered jokes about her two-year residence in Ireland, referenced “Project 2025,” and paid tribute to the late actress Hayden Panettiere, who had died the previous night at age 36.

Variety Magazine

The guest-hosting arrangement revives a long-standing rivalry that began in 2006 when O’Donnell mocked Trump’s bankruptcies on “The View.” Trump has repeatedly targeted Kimmel’s program, once launching a campaign to have the show cancelled over jokes he disliked. O’Donnell said she accepted the hosting offer in part to support Kimmel’s “First Amendment” stance and to counter Trump’s “relentless campaign.”

Variety Magazine

O’Donnell told Variety she was “surprised” by the invitation given the “adversarial relationship” with Trump but felt “thankful” to stand with Kimmel. She framed her appearance as a defense of free speech for entertainers and citizens. After the broadcast, Trump’s official accounts posted angry messages condemning the segment, though no formal statement was released. The episode also featured guest appearances by “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham and “Schmigadoon!” actress Ana Gasteyer, both expressing enthusiasm for O’Donnell’s return to late-night television.

Variety Magazine

• “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,” — Rosie O’Donnell

Variety Magazine

O’Donnell will continue hosting “Jimmy Kimmel Live” for the remainder of the week, after which Kimmel is scheduled to resume his regular duties. No further public comments from the White House have been announced.

Variety Magazine