Kimmel Taps Trump Critic Who Fled to Ireland for Guest Host Duty

Clear Facts

• Rosie O’Donnell will serve as guest host on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show during his two-month hiatus
• O’Donnell left the United States for Ireland after Trump’s 2024 election victory, citing safety concerns for her family
• President Trump previously stated he was considering revoking O’Donnell’s citizenship, calling her “a Threat to Humanity”

Jimmy Kimmel announced Thursday that Rosie O’Donnell will join the rotation of guest hosts filling in during his upcoming two-month break from late-night television. The choice represents another pointed political statement from the longtime Trump critic.

“I asked one of our commander-in-chief’s all-time favorites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming,” Kimmel said, openly referencing O’Donnell’s bitter feud with President Donald Trump.

O’Donnell left the United States following Trump’s 2024 election victory, relocating to Ireland with her youngest child, Clay, who identifies as nonbinary. In March, she confirmed she was officially living in Ireland and described the move as necessary for her family’s safety.

“I was never someone who thought I would move to another country,” O’Donnell said in a TikTok video.

“You know, I’m happy. Clay is happy. I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country and when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”

The conflict between O’Donnell and Trump intensified in July 2025 when the president publicly stated he was considering revoking her citizenship.

“Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA.”

O’Donnell fired back through Instagram, claiming Trump had “always hated” that she saw him as “a criminal con man sexual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself.”

Despite her stated concerns about America under Trump, O’Donnell has made multiple trips back to the United States, including a quiet two-week family visit and a recent appearance on “Watch What Happens Live” in New York City. She is now set to return once again for her guest hosting duties.

Kimmel joked during Thursday’s announcement that he is taking time off “this time voluntarily,” an apparent reference to ABC’s decision to pull his show briefly following comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death in September.

Other guest hosts scheduled to fill in during Kimmel’s absence include Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll. The two-month hiatus marks one of Kimmel’s longest breaks from the show.

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