What To Know
- Jimmy Kimmel made the surprise announcement that he recruited Donald Trump foe Rosie O’Donnell to guest host.
- Here’s what we know about it so far.
The guest list for Jimmy Kimmel Live!‘s summer season has grown by one … and it’s bound to irk the president. Jimmy Kimmel announced on his show Thursday (June 18) night that he has recruited President Donald Trump‘s longtime insult target, Rosie O’Donnell, to sub in for a week during his summer break, specifically because Trump dislikes her so.
“As a special treat for our commander in chief, I asked one of his all-time favorites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming. So you’re welcome. And all I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone,” he said.
Entertainment Weekly later confirmed that O’Donnell’s guest stint will begin on Monday, August 17.
O’Donnell shared the news on her Instagram, captioning a screengrab of the headline with, “And I can’t wait!!!” To that, the show’s channel responded, “We’re so excited!!!”
Her post was flooded with support from the likes of Bette Midler, Kristin Chenoweth, Natasha Lyonne, Rosanna Arquette, Randy Rainbow, and former CNN host Jim Acosta, among others. Some commenters predicted Trump would absolutely be watching the episodes, since he has a longstanding history of disliking O’Donnell.
In the past, Trump has referred to the comedic actress as “fat” and “a slob,” and the feud reportedly stems from his prior appearance on The View in which she, then a cohost, criticized him for his hair, accent, and history of bankruptcies, among other things. O’Donnell, in turn, has mocked Trump with derogatory photos in her Instagram feed and other places, and she famously relocated to Ireland before Trump’s second inauguration, citing political reasons.
Given the history of contemptuousness between O’Donnell and Trump, and the fact that the president has publicly demanded that Jimmy Kimmel Live! be shuttered by ABC — and came close to succeeding in 2025 when ABC’s affiliates refused to carry the show, prompting its suspension by the network, under pressure from the FCC — we can likely expect her to mock Trump during her tenure as guest host for JKL.
Other guest hosts who are lined up to fill in for Kimmel this summer include Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson, Ike Barinholtz, Colman Domingo, and Jelly Roll.
Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Weeknights, 11:35/10:35c, ABC