Summary (tl;dr)

Rosie O'Donnell is trending after Jimmy Kimmel announced she would be a guest host on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" this summer, a move that has garnered significant attention due to O'Donnell's long-standing and public feud with former President Donald Trump.

Essential Background

The public animosity between comedian Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump dates back to 2006, originating from O'Donnell's criticisms of Trump on "The View" concerning his handling of the Miss USA pageant. This feud has continued for nearly two decades, intensifying through political cycles, with Trump frequently attacking O'Donnell in the press and on social media. In a significant development, O'Donnell relocated to Ireland with her youngest child following Trump's second election win in 2024, citing concerns about the direction of the country and policies affecting the trans community. In July 2025, Trump publicly suggested revoking O'Donnell's U.S. citizenship, a threat legal experts noted he has no power to carry out against a native-born American. Jimmy Kimmel has also been a prominent critic of Trump on his late-night show. Since 2020, Kimmel has made it a tradition to take a summer break, during which various celebrities fill in as guest hosts for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!".

The Full Story

On Thursday, June 19, 2026, Jimmy Kimmel announced during an episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" that he would be taking his annual two-month summer hiatus. He revealed a lineup of celebrity guest hosts, including Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll. The announcement that particularly captured public attention was the inclusion of Rosie O'Donnell, who is scheduled to guest host for one week starting August 17, 2026. Kimmel playfully remarked that O'Donnell's appearance would be a "special treat" for President Donald Trump, directly referencing their well-documented and intense feud. This guest-hosting role marks a significant return to American television for O'Donnell following her relocation to Ireland.

Why It Matters

This news is trending because O'Donnell's guest-hosting stint on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is anticipated to inject a highly charged political dynamic into late-night television. Her long history as an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, combined with Kimmel's own frequent critiques of the former president, is expected to draw a considerable audience interested in how O'Donnell will leverage her platform. This event provides O'Donnell with a prominent stage for political commentary and entertainment, potentially reigniting her presence in American media and fueling ongoing public discourse surrounding the Trump-O'Donnell feud.

Geographic Location

• El Capitan Entertainment Centre, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (where Jimmy Kimmel announced Rosie O'Donnell as a guest host for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!")