Rosie O’Donnell Says Trump May Suffer From ‘PTSD Response’ to Her, Drawing Mixed Social Media Reactions

Entertainer Rosie O’Donnell has offered fresh perspective on her long-standing animosity with President Donald Trump, attributing their two-decade clash to their common origins in New York. O’Donnell, who recently returned to the United States following a relocation to Ireland after the 2024 presidential election, spoke with Variety about the roots of their conflict.

O’Donnell noted that while numerous comedians have publicly criticized Trump, their shared geographic and cultural background may set her apart. According to the entertainer, people have occasionally remarked that she and Trump sound alike—a comparison she described as deeply unwelcome.

“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,'” O’Donnell explained. She theorized that her persona may trigger what she described as a “PTSD response of all his failures in his life as a kid,” particularly reminding him of assertive young women who rejected him.

O’Donnell expanded on these thoughts during an appearance on Sophia Bush’s “Work in Progress” podcast this week. She suggested that Trump grew up around “tough, probably gay Irish girls who didn’t take s— from no stupid rich boy wannabe” and that her willingness to challenge him on television surprised and upset him.

Social media users responded sharply to O’Donnell’s latest remarks, with critics accusing her of obsession. “Omg so deluded. Trump lives rent free in her head,” one commenter wrote, while another stated, “She is obsessed and it is poisoning her soul.”

Supporters of O’Donnell praised her resilience, with one person writing, “I am so grateful for Rosie having such a strong spine and never falling back.” Another stated they would choose her as their sole ally if given the option.

The feud between O’Donnell and Trump traces back to 2006, when she criticized him on “The View” regarding his handling of a Miss USA pageant contestant accused of misconduct. O’Donnell called him a “snake-oil salesman” and not a self-made entrepreneur, prompting Trump to respond by labeling her a “real loser” and “a woman out of control.”

Earlier this year, O’Donnell acknowledged her struggle to resist discussing Trump publicly. She told The Washington Post that she promised her therapist she would abstain from posting about him for two days before Thanksgiving—a commitment that lasted only hours.

A close friend, Jennifer Kopetic, encouraged O’Donnell to “detach” from the subject during a personal visit. O’Donnell subsequently pledged to her 1.2 million Instagram followers that she would refrain from giving Trump attention for three days, but that attempt also proved unsuccessful.