Rosie O’Donnell is once again taking aim at President Donald Trump, breathing new life into one of the longest-running celebrity feuds in American politics.
The comedian and former television personality, who relocated to Ireland after President Trump’s 2024 election victory but has recently returned to the United States for appearances, is offering a new explanation for why she believes their public rivalry has lasted for nearly two decades.
In a recent interview with Variety, O’Donnell suggested that their shared New York upbringing plays a major role in the ongoing conflict, claiming she reminds Trump of outspoken classmates from his childhood who challenged him rather than admired him.
Rosie O’Donnell Offers New Theory About Trump Feud
According to O’Donnell, people have occasionally commented that she and Trump even sound alike—a comparison she joked is one of the worst things anyone could hear.
She went on to argue that she represents the kind of tough personality Trump encountered growing up, saying she believes he has never forgotten being challenged by people who refused to be intimidated.
O’Donnell also claimed she reminds Trump of girls who questioned his confidence and ambitions when they were young, suggesting those early experiences continue to shape how he responds to her criticism today.
She repeated similar remarks during an appearance on actress Sophia Bush’s Work in Progress podcast, where she argued that Trump’s reactions stem from their shared background and from her willingness to publicly criticize him over the years.
The Public Feud Began on The View
The highly publicized dispute between Trump and O’Donnell dates back to 2006.
At the time, O’Donnell was a co-host on ABC’s The View when she criticized Trump’s handling of controversy involving a Miss USA winner. During the discussion, she questioned Trump’s business reputation and mocked his public image.
Trump quickly responded with a series of public insults, calling O’Donnell a “real loser” and describing her as “a woman out of control.”
That exchange launched one of the most recognizable celebrity feuds in modern politics, with both figures continuing to criticize one another through interviews, television appearances, and social media over the following years.
Social Media Users React
O’Donnell’s latest comments quickly sparked debate online.
Many social media users dismissed her latest theory, arguing that she appears far more focused on Trump than he is on her.
Some commenters suggested the comedian has allowed the rivalry to dominate too much of her public image, while others argued that both sides have kept the decades-old dispute alive through repeated public remarks.
Supporters, however, praised O’Donnell for continuing to speak openly about the president. Several described her as fearless and applauded her willingness to continue voicing her opinions despite years of criticism.
As with many high-profile political stories, reactions were sharply divided along ideological lines.
O’Donnell Admits She Has Trouble Ignoring Trump
This is not the first time O’Donnell has acknowledged how difficult it has been to stop talking about the president.
In an earlier interview with The Washington Post, she revealed that she promised her therapist she would avoid posting about Trump for several days around Thanksgiving.
According to O’Donnell, that commitment lasted only a few hours before she found herself commenting on him again.
She also said close friends have encouraged her to disconnect from the ongoing political battle and spend less time focusing on Trump.
At one point, O’Donnell even announced to her 1.2 million Instagram followers that she planned to stop giving Trump any more of her attention. That effort also proved short-lived, as she later admitted she was unable to stick with the promise.
A Rivalry That Refuses to Fade
Nearly 20 years after their first public confrontation, the feud between Rosie O’Donnell and President Donald Trump continues to generate headlines.
While O’Donnell believes their shared New York roots help explain the president’s reactions to her criticism, many Americans remain skeptical, with countless social media users arguing that the comedian is keeping the rivalry alive through her repeated public comments.
Whether either side chooses to move on remains to be seen. For now, one of America’s longest-running celebrity-political rivalries continues to attract attention, proving that even after two decades, the Trump-O’Donnell feud still has the power to dominate headlines and fuel debate across the political spectrum.