The longstanding feud between comedian Rosie O’Donnell and former President Donald Trump escalated during Thanksgiving 2024, adding a new chapter to their nearly two-decade-long conflict.
On Thanksgiving Day, O’Donnell dedicated approximately 10 minutes to criticizing Trump, labeling him a “madman” and asserting he is “not a sane person.” She also supported Mexico’s president on border policy, advocating for “building bridges” rather than closing the border.
The animosity between O’Donnell and Trump began in 2006 when, as co-host of ABC’s “The View,” O’Donnell criticized Trump’s decision to allow Miss USA Tara Conner to retain her title despite allegations of drug use and underage drinking. O’Donnell questioned Trump’s moral authority and business practices, referring to him as a “snake-oil salesman.” In response, Trump launched personal attacks, calling O’Donnell “disgusting” and “a slob” and threatened legal action to “take some money out of her fat-ass pockets.”
The feud persisted throughout Trump’s presidency. In a recent TikTok video, O’Donnell described Trump as “babbling like an incoherent (expletive) during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida, accusing him of spreading “just lies, lies, lies.” O’Donnell has also been critical of Trump’s supporters. In August 2022, she stated that those who continue to back him are “willfully blind” and labeled him “the worst person to ever hold that office.”
The feud gained additional attention during the 2016 presidential campaign when Trump referenced O’Donnell during both the Republican primary debate and the first presidential debate with 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 meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, calling their actions “despicable” and vowing never to watch the show again.
In April 2024, during an appearance on Chris Cuomo’s NewsNation show, O’Donnell engaged in a heated debate with Bill O’Reilly over Trump’s potential conviction, making a $10,000 bet 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, sharing multiple memes and expressing gratitude towards Michael Cohen for his testimony against Trump.
The enduring feud between O’Donnell and Trump continues to capture public attention, reflecting the deep political and personal divisions that have characterized their relationship over the years.