During Thanksgiving 2024, the ongoing tension between comedian Rosie O’Donnell and ex-President Donald Trump intensified, marking another chapter in their conflict, which has spanned almost 20 years.
O’Donnell used about 10 minutes of her Thanksgiving Day to critique Trump, labeling him as a “madman” and stating he is “not a sane person.” Additionally, she backed Mexico’s president on border policy, advocating for the construction of “bridges” rather than sealing off the border.
The discord between O’Donnell and Trump started in 2006. As a co-host of “The View” on ABC, O’Donnell criticized Trump’s decision to let Miss USA Tara Conner retain her title despite accusations of drug use and underage drinking. O’Donnell called into question Trump’s ethical standards and business methods, describing him as a “snake-oil salesman.” Trump retorted with personal insults, labeling O’Donnell as “disgusting” and “a slob” and threatened to sue to “take some money out of her fat-ass pockets.”
Throughout Trump’s presidency, the feud continued. In a recent TikTok video, O’Donnell characterized Trump as “babbling like an incoherent (expletive)” during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida, accusing him of disseminating “just lies, lies, lies.” O’Donnell has also condemned Trump’s followers. In August 2022, she asserted those who continue to support him are “willfully blind” and labeled him “the worst person to ever hold that office.”
The dispute garnered more attention in the 2016 presidential campaign when Trump mentioned O’Donnell during both the Republican primary debate and the first presidential debate with Hillary Clinton. O’Donnell later characterized Trump’s barbs as “the worst bullying” she had experienced, stating it was “national, and it was sanctioned societally.”
In November 2024, O’Donnell criticized the co-hosts of “Morning Joe,” Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, for meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, describing their actions as “despicable” and pledging to never watch the show again.
During an April 2024 appearance on Chris Cuomo’s NewsNation show, O’Donnell engaged in a heated discussion with Bill O’Reilly concerning Trump’s potential conviction, placing a $10,000 wager that Trump would be found guilty on any charges brought against him.
Following Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts in May 2024, O’Donnell publicly celebrated the verdict, posting several memes and expressing gratitude towards Michael Cohen for his testimony against Trump.
The persistent feud between O’Donnell and Trump continues to engage the public, reflecting the profound political and personal divisions that have characterized their relationship over the years.
