Jimmy Kimmel hands hosting duties to Rosie O’Donnell in surprise move

Rosie O’Donnell is heading back to late-night television and she’s doing it with a cheeky wink at one of her oldest rivals.

The 64-year-old comedy star has been confirmed as a guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for a full week beginning August 17, while regular host Jimmy Kimmel takes an extended summer break from the hit ABC show.

Kimmel announced the line-up of celebrity stand-ins during Thursday night’s programme, revealing that stars including Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson and Jelly Roll will all take turns behind the desk.

But it was Rosie’s name that drew the biggest laugh from the audience.

Introducing her, the 58-year-old host jokingly described the comic as one of US President Donald Trump’s “all-time favourites”, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the pair’s long-running and very public feud.

“As a special treat for our commander-in-chief, I asked one of his all-time favourites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming,” he quipped, before adding, “And all I ask in return, Mr President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”

Notably, Rosie was clearly thrilled by the news. 

Taking to Instagram, she shared a report about her upcoming hosting stint and wrote: “And I can’t wait!!!”

The comedian’s bitter war of words with Trump dates back two decades, beginning in 2006 after she criticised his handling of a controversy involving Miss USA Tara Conner. 

The row has repeatedly flared up over the years, with both figures trading public barbs.

Despite relocating to Ireland with her child in early 2025, she has continued making high-profile appearances in the US, including a return for this year’s Tony Awards in New York.

Now, with a week in Kimmel’s famous chair and her upcoming one-woman Broadway show Common Knowledge on the horizon, Rosie is proving she’s still more than capable of stealing the spotlight.

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