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Jimmy Kimmel is taking a two-month break away from his late-night show and has tapped none other than comedian and Donald Trump’s longtime nemesis Rosie O’Donnell as one of several guest hosts taking the reins during his hiatus.
“I hope you’re paying attention during this summer because I will be taking the next two months off, this time voluntarily,” he joked during Thursday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! — referring to ABC pulling his show last September over comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s death.
Kimmel said “a potent group of hosts” will begin filling in starting July 6, including Colman Domingo, Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson and Jelly Roll.
“And as a special treat to our commander-in-chief, I asked one of his all-time favourites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming,” he said, eliciting laughter and cheers from the audience.
O’Donnell and Trump have been embroiled in a bitter feud since the former host of The View criticized him during a 2006 episode of the daytime talk show.
That feud appeared to reach new heights in early 2025 when the actress revealed she had moved to Ireland, becoming one of several celebrities to leave the United States after Trump’s second election victory. O’Donnell cited the stress of Trump’s political presence and his threats to revoke her U.S. citizenship as the reason for her move.
In July 2025, months after his second inauguration, the U.S. president posted about potentially stripping O’Donnell of her citizenship.
“She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her,” he wrote in part on Truth Social. “GOD BLESS AMERICA.”
O’Donnell clapped back on Instagram, writing, “The president of the usa has always hated the fact that i see him for who he is — a criminal con man sexual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself – this is why i moved to Ireland.”
Trump doubled down again that September, sharing a distorted picture of O’Donnell’s face alongside another caption on Truth Social.
“As previously mentioned, we are giving serious thought to taking away Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship,” he wrote. “She is not a Great American and is, in my opinion, incapable of being so!”
O’Donnell fired back with a heated Instagram post, accusing Trump of using her as a diversion tactic.
“Banishing me again? Logan Roy would be so proud,” she wrote under a screenshot of Trump’s post, referencing one of the lead characters in the drama series Succession. “I’m the distraction – EPSTEIN SURVIVORS are the reckoning and your gold lamé throne is melting.”
As for Kimmel’s impending hiatus and “special treat” for the commander-in-chief, the late-night host closed his announcement with one final message to Trump.
“All I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone, okay?” he quipped.
