Rosie O’Donnell made her debut as guest host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on Monday evening, bringing her signature comedic style to the late-night program during Kimmel’s summer break. The appearance held particular significance given the long-standing feud between O’Donnell and Donald Trump, which dates back to 2006 when she criticized his business dealings on “The View.” Kimmel had previously teased that O’Donnell’s hosting stint would be a “special treat” for the former president.
During her opening monologue, O’Donnell wasted no time addressing her well-known adversary, donning a striking pink floral suit and announcing she would give Trump plenty to complain about. She referenced her recent relocation to Ireland and made pointed remarks about current political developments, while directly acknowledging that Trump would likely be watching the broadcast. Despite their adversarial history, O’Donnell expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized her support for Kimmel’s right to free speech.
O’Donnell demonstrated strong chemistry with her guests, including “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham and “Schmigadoon!” actress Ana Gasteyer, both of whom praised her warmly. A notable moment came when she delivered an emotional tribute to actress Hayden Panettiere, who had frequently appeared on O’Donnell’s previous talk show as a child and passed away at age 36. O’Donnell commended Panettiere’s courage in discussing mental health issues publicly.
Originally reported by Variety →
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