Rosie O’Donnell to Guest Host Jimmy Kimmel Live During Sabbatical

Kimmel announced the roster during Thursday’s broadcast, framing the voluntary break as a chance to refresh the show’s energy. Alongside O’Donnell, the guest lineup includes Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll. Kimmel introduced O’Donnell to the audience with a pointed nod to her history with the President, calling her one of the commander-in-chief’s favorite targets.

The booking arrives months after O’Donnell relocated to Ireland following the 2025 election. Tensions between the comedian and Trump peaked in July when the President suggested on Truth Social that he was considering revoking her U.S. citizenship, labeling her a threat to the nation. O’Donnell, who has publicly characterized Trump as a criminal, recently returned to the United States for brief, quiet visits to see her family, marking this hosting gig as her most significant return to American television since her move abroad.

Kimmel himself remains a frequent target of Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the host’s late-night monologues and labeled him a third-rate talent. By selecting O’Donnell to fill his desk, Kimmel ensures that the show’s political edge remains sharp even in his absence, leaning into the very friction that has defined both his and O’Donnell’s relationship with the current administration.