SerpApi.Org
Rosie O'Donnell has revealed she felt like she was suffering from "post-traumatic stress disorder" after spending two decades as Donald Trump's "punchline," saying the constant public attacks left a lasting impact.
The comedian and actress, 64, has had one of the most high-profile celebrity feuds with Trump, 80, with the pair repeatedly clashing in public ever since O'Donnell mocked the future president years before he entered politics. Now, after relocating to Ireland in January 2025, O'Donnell says putting distance between herself and the political storm in the U.S. has helped her rediscover a calmer version of herself.
The former talk show host reflected on how reaching her mid-60s has changed her outlook on life. She said, "It's glorious. I love it because you don't care so much what everyone thinks. When you're 40 or 30, you're worried all the time. Am I doing it right? And now you don't really care." She also shared about a about director who told her to 'lose 20 pounds'.
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Speaking to People, she also looked back on her public battle with Trump, saying it still feels surreal. She explained, "It used to be when our president would say things about me, it would be like, whoa.
"First of all, if you had written this as a movie, a stand-up comic makes fun of a reality show host who is a bloviating idiot and he ends up being the president, and then he doesn't shut up about her for 20 years, it would be unbelievable — and the fact that it's my life is very trippy."
O'Donnell believes moving overseas has given her the chance to heal from years of relentless political headlines and personal attacks providing some valuable distance for her. She said, "I am softer I think as a result of being there, of the welcome that we got, and as a result of me not being constantly bombarded by news about the current president."
She added, "It's like a post-traumatic stress disorder for me, considering it's been 20 years of him using me as a punchline, and so I think that has allowed me to reclaim myself, who I was before all that went down, even though it's very strange to have supposedly the most powerful man in the word be your arch nemesis."
Despite stepping back from life in the U.S., O'Donnell isn't done speaking out about politics. She is set to guest host Jimmy Kimmel Live! from Aug. 17 while Jimmy Kimmel is away and said she jumped at the opportunity.
She shared, "I'm very happy that he asked me. I admire him. I admire his tenacity and strength. I admire his conviction to speak out against this political terrorism that's happening in our country and I stand beside him and will. And so I was thrilled when he asked me. I want to honor him and do my best and I hope everyone tunes in."
She concluded by stressing that her criticism of Trump does not diminish her love for the U.S., adding, "I am a very patriotic American. I love this country."
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