Jimmy Kimmel Reveals Rosie O’Donnell Will Take Over His Show

Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA (left) Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA (right) Jimmy Kimmel is stepping away from late-night television for the next two months, but his replacement is already turning heads. During Thursday night’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the host announced that a rotating lineup of guest hosts will take over while he enjoys a temporary sabbatical. Among the names revealed was longtime comedian and outspoken Donald Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell , whose selection immediately raised eyebrows given her decades-long feud with the president. Jimmy Kimmel To Be Replaced By Trump Critic Rosie O’Donnell ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA While Jimmy Kimmel is stepping away from late-night television for a brief break, viewers won’t have to wait long for a familiar face to take over. During Thursday night’s episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the comedian revealed he will be taking a two-month sabbatical and has lined up a roster of celebrity guest hosts to fill in during his absence. “I will be taking the next two months off, this time voluntarily,” Kimmel joked, before unveiling several stars who will helm the show while he’s away. Among the names announced were Tiffany Haddish , Colman Domingo , Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson , Jelly Roll , and Rosie O’Donnell. “And… I asked one of our commander-in-chief’s all-time favorites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming,” Kimmel quipped, drawing a loud reaction from the audience. O’Donnell’s Booking Comes After Years Of Public Feuding With Trump Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA O’Donnell’s upcoming guest-hosting stint is particularly notable given her long-running public feud with President Donald Trump . The comedian made headlines in 2025 after relocating to Ireland with her youngest child following Trump’s election victory. Tensions between the two escalated further in July when Trump publicly suggested he was considering revoking O’Donnell’s U.S. 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 at the time. “She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA.” O’Donnell quickly fired back on social media. “The president of the USA has always hated the fact that I see him for who he is, a criminal con man, sexual-abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself; this is why I moved to Ireland,” she wrote. Rosie O’Donnell Recently Returned To The U.S. ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Despite relocating overseas, O’Donnell has continued making occasional trips back to the United States. Earlier this year, she revealed that she quietly returned home for a visit with family after spend