White House Calls Rosie O’Donnell a ‘Nasty Woman’ and ‘Total Slob’ After She Jokes About Aide Natalie Harp on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Rosie O’Donnell has made a noteworthy return to the spotlight as she fills in for Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night talk show this week. The comedian, who has a long-standing contentious relationship with former President Donald Trump, has been using her guest-hosting spot on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to deliver a series of comedic jabs at the president, drawing significant attention and reactions.

During her appearance on Wednesday, 19 August, O’Donnell began her monologue with a pointed greeting directed at Trump. Referring to him as “President Petty Roosevelt,” she remarked, “That’s all I’m gonna say about you tonight, sweetheart,” before turning her attention to White House aide Natalie Harp. O’Donnell quipped that it was time for Trump to “hang up your wig and let Natalie tuck you in.”

Following O’Donnell’s remarks, a White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, responded with a statement describing the comedian as “a nasty woman and a total slob,” attributing her comments to what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” This exchange is a continuation of the ongoing tension between the comedian and the former president, who has been known to target O’Donnell with verbal attacks for years.

Throughout the week, O’Donnell’s monologues have consistently referenced Trump, with her opening night featuring her waving directly to him and labelling him “Mango Mussolini.” On another occasion, she mockingly thanked him for reigniting her presence in the public eye, referring to him as “Oompa J. Loompa.” These playful insults have resonated with viewers, contributing to a surge in ratings for the show.

Natalie Harp, the aide mentioned in O’Donnell’s comments, has recently been in the news amid inquiries from Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and various journalists about her role within the White House. Harp has been characterised by some, including New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, as a “binky” and a “comfort blanket” for Trump, a term that tends to evoke a sense of childish dependency.

O’Donnell’s tenure as guest host has proven to be a significant success in terms of viewership. According to preliminary Nielsen figures, her Monday night episode attracted approximately 1.87 million viewers, the highest audience any substitute host has garnered while Kimmel is on his summer break. This success has also translated to digital platforms, with her initial monologue surpassing 2.6 million views on YouTube.

Reflecting on her amusingly adversarial relationship with Trump, O’Donnell previously described it as “very strange” to have the former president as a long-term rival. In an interview with PEOPLE, she recounted how, for over two decades, Trump has used her as a punchline in his public addresses, stating, “If you had written this as a movie… it would be unbelievable — and the fact that it’s my life is very trippy.”

O’Donnell’s bold approach and willingness to address controversial topics have resonated with audiences, garnering her a substantial following during her stint as guest host. Her chemistry with the audience and knack for humour have made her episodes stand out in a crowded late-night landscape.

As O’Donnell prepares to conclude her time as a temporary host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, her contributions have surely left a mark on the show and rekindled interest in her ongoing feud with Trump. As the show continues to air weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on ABC, viewers are left eager to see how Kimmel will respond upon his return and whether O’Donnell’s successful guest hosting will lead to more opportunities in the future.