Megyn Kelly, a conservative talk show host, has criticized the lineup of guest hosts chosen to fill in for Jimmy Kimmel during his summer vacation, particularly targeting comedian Rosie O'Donnell. Kimmel announced on Thursday that O'Donnell, along with Ike Barinholtz, Colman Domingo, Anthony Anderson, and Jelly Roll, would host his show while he is away.
Kelly addressed O'Donnell's upcoming appearance on her own show, making a jest about a past comment O'Donnell made regarding cold sores. "So, MAGA gave her herpes, and now she’s guest hosting Jimmy Kimmel. Note to the guests: don’t get too close, do not do the hello kiss when you arrive on stage," Kelly stated, referencing O'Donnell's 2024 mention of having a cold sore.
Kimmel himself introduced the guest hosts by remarking to an unnamed "commander in chief," seemingly referencing President Donald Trump, "I asked one of his all-time favorites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming." He added, "And all I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone."
Kelly characterized Kimmel's choice of substitutes as "a litany of left-wing comedians," suggesting Kimmel selected hosts who were less prominent to protect his own job security. "Jimmy Kimmel is going on a two-month sabbatical, and guess who he has sub-hosting for him? It’s a litany of left-wing comedians, most of whom you don’t know very well, because he’s worried about his job security. So he’s got to find people who are lesser than he is," Kelly said.
Kelly also played a clip of O'Donnell discussing election results, where O'Donnell expressed her belief that Kamala Harris had won an unspecified election. Kelly then questioned whether O'Donnell would "offering bits like this. Speculative questioning" to Kimmel's audience.
Rosie O'Donnell has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump and his supporters, and has publicly feuded with him for years. Earlier this month, she called Trump "an asshole and a liar" at an event. O'Donnell and Kelly also have a history of public disagreement, with O'Donnell having criticized Kelly online in 2018.