Rosie O’Donnell, a vocal critic of Donald Trump, stated in a recent interview that she has only one friend remaining who supports the former president. The comedian described this friendship with country singer Wynonna Judd as one she deeply values, despite their divergent political stances.
“Well you know, I don’t really have any people in my life who support him. I think it would be very difficult to do that,” O’Donnell said in an interview on “The Tangle with Kyle Ridley” podcast. “Now, I am friends with Wynonna Judd, who I love very much and I’ve known her for many, many years. And she is a supporter of Trump. And somehow, we never bring it up.”
O’Donnell explained that she offers Judd a certain degree of leniency, citing the singer’s personal struggles, including the 2022 suicide of her mother, country music legend Naomi Judd. “I kind of give her a grace in a way,” O’Donnell said. “And I really love her and I care about her, and ― for some reason ― I’m able to put that aside when we interact.”
Beyond Judd, O’Donnell expressed bewilderment at those who continue to support Trump. “But aside from Wy, I can’t think of anyone else in my life who supports him, and I don’t understand the people who do,” she stated. O'Donnell characterized Trump's public persona as one of "cruelty," "criminal behavior," "misogyny," "racism," and "homophobia," describing him as “just a very dark spirit.”
O’Donnell and Trump have a long history of public animosity. Last month, O’Donnell shared her personal theory with Variety regarding the source of their ongoing conflict. She suggested that their shared upbringing in the same geographical area and their similar vocal inflections might play a role.
“My theory is — and I don’t know if this is accurate, but it’s my personal opinion — there have been so many comedians who have said things about him, but I am from the same area that he’s from,” O’Donnell told Variety. “I think I’m one of those tough girls from elementary school and junior high that said to him, ‘Shut the hell up! You’re not playing with us. Get out of here, you freakin’ idiot!’ And he never got past it,” she theorized. “I think I trigger him like a PTSD response of all his failures in his life as a kid.”