Jimmy Kimmel revealed during his Thursday, June 18 monologue that Rosie O'Donnell will serve as a guest host for Jimmy Kimmel Live! this summer, framing the announcement as a pointed message to President Donald Trump.
The late-night host, 58, disclosed plans for a two-month hiatus from his ABC program, joking that the break would be voluntary—a reference to his September 2025 suspension by the network for comments related to political fallout following the assassination of conservative Charlie Kirk. Despite Trump's repeated calls for ABC to terminate Kimmel's employment, the network extended his contract for one year following that controversy.
During his absence, Jimmy Kimmel Live! will continue broadcasting with a rotation of celebrity guest hosts. Kimmel announced that Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll will fill the hosting chair throughout the summer.
However, one booking carried particular significance. Kimmel singled out O'Donnell's participation, stating: "As a special treat for our commander-in-chief, I asked one of his all-time favorites, Rosie O'Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming. So, you're welcome!"
The comedian concluded his announcement with a direct appeal to the president: "All I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
A spokesperson for O'Donnell, 64, subsequently confirmed to multiple media outlets that she will host a week of Jimmy Kimmel Live! episodes beginning Monday, August 17. O'Donnell shared Kimmel's announcement via Instagram on Friday, June 19, writing in the caption: "And I can't wait !!!"
The selection of O'Donnell represents a deliberate provocation given her decades-long public feud with Trump, 80. Both Kimmel and O'Donnell have engaged in frequent public disputes with the president over the years, making the guest-hosting arrangement particularly noteworthy in the current political climate.
Following Trump's second presidential election victory, O'Donnell moved to Ireland and started the process of gaining Irish citizenship. Trump has threatened to revoke O'Donnell's American citizenship on multiple occasions, though it remains unclear whether he possesses the legal authority to execute such action.
O'Donnell recently returned to the United States to perform her solo stage show Common Knowledge at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City this summer. Earlier this month, she slammed Trump supporters as "racist, homophobic [and] un-American" for continuing to back him.
While confirming her August appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, O'Donnell addressed speculation regarding a potential return to The View, the daytime talk program where she previously served as a co-host. "I would be up to guest host, but they haven't asked me. So we'll see what happens," she told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Thursday, June 18, according to Celebrity News: Latest Celeb News & Pictures - Us Weekly.
O'Donnell previously hosted her own daytime talk series The Rosie O'Donnell Show from 1996 to 2002, which earned five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show. She later hosted the short-lived primetime Rosie Show from 2011 to 2012.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.