The conflict between comedian Rosie O’Donnell and former President Donald Trump intensified during Thanksgiving 2024, adding to their dispute that has been ongoing for almost two decades.
O’Donnell spent about 10 minutes on Thanksgiving Day criticizing Trump, calling him a “madman” and stating he is “not a sane person.” She also sided with Mexico’s president regarding border policy, advocating for “building bridges” instead of shutting the border.
The disagreement between O’Donnell and Trump started in 2006. As a co-host of ABC’s “The View,” O’Donnell disapproved of Trump’s decision to let Miss USA Tara Conner keep her title in spite of allegations of drug use and underage drinking. O’Donnell challenged Trump’s ethical authority and his business tactics, labeling him a “snake-oil salesman.” Trump retaliated with personal insults, referring to O’Donnell as “disgusting” and “a slob” and threatened to sue her.
The feud continued throughout Trump’s term in office. Recently, in a TikTok video, O’Donnell portrayed Trump as speaking incoherently during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida, accusing him of spreading “just lies, lies, lies.” She has also been vocally critical of Trump’s followers. In August 2022, she stated those who continue to support him are “willfully blind” and called him “the worst person to ever hold that office.”
The feud was spotlighted during the 2016 presidential campaign when Trump mentioned O’Donnell during both the Republican primary debate and the first presidential debate against Hillary Clinton. O’Donnell later described Trump’s attacks as “the worst bullying” she had experienced, noting it was “national, and it was sanctioned societally.”
In November 2024, O’Donnell criticized “Morning Joe” co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for visiting Trump at Mar-a-Lago, deeming their actions “despicable” and promising to never watch the show again.
In April 2024, during a segment on Chris Cuomo’s NewsNation program, O’Donnell exchanged fiery comments with Bill O’Reilly concerning Trump’s potential conviction, proposing a $10,000 wager that Trump would be declared guilty on any charges filed against him.
After Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts in May 2024, O’Donnell publicly rejoiced in the decision, sharing numerous memes and expressing her appreciation towards Michael Cohen for his testimony against Trump.
The ongoing conflict between O’Donnell and Trump continues to draw public interest, mirroring the deep political and personal rifts that have defined their relationship over the years.
