Kimmel's Summer Hiatus Comes With a Rosie Surprise for Trump

Jimmy Kimmel’s taking two months off this summer, and he’s got a punchline built right into his absence. On Thursday, June 18, the late-night host announced he’d be stepping away from Jimmy Kimmel Live! voluntarily—a cheeky reference to his September 2025 suspension by ABC following political commentary tied to the assassination of conservative Charlie Kirk. Despite Trump repeatedly calling for the network to fire him, ABC extended Kimmel’s contract for another year. Now, with the summer stretching ahead, Kimmel’s lined up an all-star roster of guest hosts to keep the show rolling.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Among the lineup of Tiffany Haddish, Colman Domingo, Ike Barinholtz, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll sits one name that Kimmel describes as a“special treat for our commander-in-chief”: Rosie O’Donnell. The comedian and talk show veteran—who’s spent years sparring with President Trump—will host a full week starting Monday, August 17. It’s the kind of move that works on multiple levels: a genuine addition to the guest-host rotation, a well-timed jab at Trump, and proof that Kimmel still knows how to land a joke even when he’s technically clocking out for the summer.

O’Donnell, 64, confirmed the gig on Instagram on Friday, June 19, writing“And I can’t wait !!!”She’s got fresh reasons to be back in the spotlight too. After Trump’s 2024 reelection win, she relocated to Ireland and began pursuing Irish citizenship—a move that came after Trump threatened to revoke her American citizenship on multiple occasions. Recently, though, she’s returned stateside to perform her solo stage show Common Knowledge at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City this summer. Just earlier this month, she took a swing at Trump’s base, calling them“racist, homophobic [and] un-American”for their continued support.

The O’Donnell-Trump feud isn’t new. Both she and Kimmel have spent years trading barbs with the now-president, making this scheduling decision a subtle but unmistakable bit of theater. Kimmel’s parting shot to viewers—”All I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone”—underscores the whole moment. It’s late-night politics as usual, just with the guest host roster doing the heavy lifting while the main attraction takes a breather.

Meanwhile, O’Donnell’s also been fielding questions about a possible return to The View. She told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on Thursday, June 18, that while she’d be open to guest hosting there, they haven’t come calling yet. For now, her week at Jimmy Kimmel Live! marks a summer return to television for a host who once dominated daytime with her Emmy-winning talk show from 1996 to 2002.