PoliticsRosie O'Donnell Feels 'Horrible Creature' Donald Trump Accidentally 'Helped' Revive Her Career
Rosie O'Donnell said Donald Trump's fixation on her boosted her popularity.
Aug. 12 2026, Published 11:34 a.m. ET
Rosie O'Donnell credits her recent resurgence in popularity to President Donald Trump.
Speaking on the "Good Hang" podcast hosted by Amy Poehler, O'Donnell joked that Trump — whom she referred to as a "horrible creature"— is keeping her relevant.
The comic’s comments highlight a feud spanning two decades, which heavily influenced O'Donnell's career and personal life.
'I Feel Like I'm Recently Re-Famous'
Rosie O'Donnell thinks she became popular again because Donald Trump is always talking about her.
“I feel like recently I’m re-famous,” O’Donnell, 64, told Poehler. “That’s what I feel. I told my kids, well kids, hold on ’cause mommy’s re-famous. I don’t know how it happened. I think it’s Mango Mussolini."
The mom-of-five said the president 'would shut up' about her if he realized he was increasing her popularity.
“I think it’s him who did it. He didn’t know. If he knew how much he was helping my career and my life, he would shut up about me because, you know, he’s a horrible creature,” O’Donnell said.
The White House pushed back against her remarks, sharing a compilation of her photos captioned with a statement calling the actress "obsessed.”
The public clash began in 2006 on The View when O'Donnell criticized Trump's handling of a Miss USA scandal, leading to years of mutual public insults.
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The POTUS Threatened the Actress
The comedian referred to the president as 'Mango Mussolini.'
O'Donnell moved to Ireland in January 2025, just ahead of Trump's second presidential inauguration, but continues to criticize him frequently on social media.
"I can't live under that level of cruelty and disregard for human life," she said at the time of why she relocated.
The POTUS called O’Donnell a “threat to humanity” and threatened to revoke her 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,” he wrote on Truth Social in July 2024. “She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Inside the Future of Rosie O'Donnell's Career
Donald Trump threatened to revoke Rosie O'Donnell's citizenship after she moved to Ireland.
Backed by her renewed media attention, O'Donnell is scheduled to step in as a guest host for Jimmy Kimmel Live! on August 17.
O'Donnell clarified on Instagram that while she has no interest in a permanent late-night gig, a return to daytime television "would be interesting.” She plans to balance any future television projects with her new life in Ireland.
Though it hasn't been confirmed yet, the comedian said she's open to returning to The View as a guest for the upcoming 30th season.
