Jimmy Kimmel is leaving the late-night television show for the next two months, but his replacement is already garnering attention. On Thursday night's episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", the host announced that a rotating cast of guest hosts would be taking over during his temporary leave. Among the names mentioned was a renowned comedian and a vocal critic. Donald Trump Rosie O'Donnell , whose choice immediately raised eyebrows, given her long-standing feud with the president.
Jimmy Kimmel will be replaced by Trump critic Rosie O'Donnell.
While Jimmy Kimmel is taking a brief break from late night television, viewers won't have to wait long for a familiar face to take his place.
On Thursday night's episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", the comedian announced he would be taking a two-month vacation and prepared a list of celebrity guests who would fill in for him during his absence. "I'm taking the next two months off, voluntarily this time," Kimmel joked, before introducing several stars who would host the show during his absence.
Among the names announced were Tiffany Haddish , Colman Domingo , Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson , Jelly Roll and Rosie O'Donnell. "And... I've asked one of our Commander-in-Chief's most beloved members, Rosie O'Donnell, to be here to continue bringing the hits," Kimmel joked, prompting a heated reaction from the audience.
O'Donnell's appointment comes after years of public feuding with Trump.
O'Donnell's upcoming guest hosting gig is particularly notable given her long-running public feud with President Donald Trump. The comedian made headlines in 2025 after moving to Ireland with her youngest child following Trump's election victory. Tensions between the two escalated further in July, when Trump publicly announced he was considering revoking O'Donnell's U.S. citizenship.
«"Because Rosie O'Donnell is not serving the best interests of our great country, I am seriously considering revoking her citizenship," Trump wrote at the time on Truth Social. "She is a danger to humanity and should remain in the beautiful country of Ireland if they want her. God bless America.".
O'Donnell quickly responded on social media. "It's always irritated the President of the United States that I see him for what he really is: a criminal, a fraud, a liar, a sexual harasser, and one who seeks to harm our country for his own gain; that's why I moved to Ireland," she wrote.
Rosie O'Donnell recently returned to the United States.
Despite moving abroad, O'Donnell continues to travel to the United States occasionally. Earlier this year, she revealed that she quietly returned home to visit family after more than a year abroad.
«"I recently went home for two weeks and didn't tell anyone. I just went to see my family," O'Donnell said during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Cuomo Mornings." "I wanted to see how difficult it would be for me to get in and out of the country. I wanted to feel what it was like. I wanted to hug my kids again. And I hadn't been home in over a year.".
Her appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" marked one of the biggest returns to American television since moving to Ireland.
The feud between Jimmy Kimmel and Donald Trump has escalated in recent years.
While Rosie O'Donnell's ongoing battle with President Donald Trump has been well-documented, Kimmel has also become one of the president's most vocal critics on late-night television.
Over the years, Kimmel has regularly used his monologues to mock Trump, often criticizing the president's policies, public statements, legal troubles, and campaign appearances. The comedian's harsh criticism has often provoked a response from Trump himself, who has repeatedly attacked Kimmel on social media, calling him a "loser" and a "third-rate talent.".
Their feud has escalated in recent years as Kimmel has become increasingly outspoken on political issues, often arguing that comedians have a responsibility to speak out when they see something they believe is wrong.
Jimmy Kimmel recently addressed his own scandal involving Trump.
Kimmel recently addressed the brief controversy surrounding his show after his comments about a conservative commentator Charlie Kirk caused a negative reaction and temporarily brought him into conflict with ABC.
When announcing his upcoming vacation, Kimmel jokingly noted that his break was voluntary, a lighthearted reference to the scandal.
Read also: Jimmy Kimmel is again facing calls to be taken off the air over a controversial joke about Ivanka Trump and her father.