Rosie O’Donnell Blames Trump for Her Downward Spiral, Pushes for 2024 Election Recount

Rosie O’Donnell is once again putting Donald Trump at the center of her personal and political grievances. In a revealing appearance on Chris Cuomo’s podcast, the former talk show host opened up about her mental health struggles, substance abuse, and ongoing disillusionment with American politics—laying the blame squarely on Trump’s shoulders.

Now living in Ireland, O’Donnell says the 45th president’s rise to power triggered a deep psychological toll that led to depression, binge drinking, and weight gain. “It was very, very difficult,” she told Cuomo. “I got myself into some bad places. I was overeating, overdrinking, and I was so depressed.”

This isn’t the first time the comedian and actress has spoken about her mental health, but it marks one of the most direct connections she’s drawn between her personal unraveling and Donald Trump’s influence on American culture—and her life.

A Feud That Never Cooled

The animosity between Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump stretches back nearly two decades, with Trump famously mocking O’Donnell during a 2015 GOP debate. “Only Rosie O’Donnell,” he quipped after being accused of calling women “fat pigs” and “slobs.” It was a line that generated huge applause and cemented O’Donnell as a recurring punchline in Trump’s media playbook.

In the years since, Trump has continued to take jabs at her appearance, mental health, and career. At one point, he even suggested he’d send one of his friends to “steal” her girlfriend. While much of the media brushed it off as political theater, O’Donnell says the impact was deeply personal.

“I couldn’t believe America believed the lies,” she said. “It hurt my heart that people cheered for someone so cruel.”

A Life in Exile

O’Donnell’s decision to move to Ireland was meant to be a reprieve from the toxic political discourse in the U.S., but she’s remained as vocal as ever from abroad. Her frequent posts on social media continue to denounce Trump, and her latest campaign is no exception.

This week, O’Donnell called for a formal recount of the 2024 presidential election, which saw Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris in what his supporters call a “landslide.” Citing conspiracy theories that claim Elon Musk helped “hack” the election, she urged Americans to “protest and protest and protest.”

While the mainstream media and both Democratic and Republican officials have certified the results as legitimate, O’Donnell’s renewed call for a recount highlights how deeply some public figures remain entrenched in post-election denialism—regardless of political alignment.

Health Concerns and Public Scrutiny

O’Donnell’s recent appearance also sparked concern online due to her physical condition. Visible facial sores during the podcast interview led to rampant speculation, with the comedian later clarifying that they were not cold sores or herpes, as some claimed, but likely a sun-related skin reaction.

She admitted to undergoing a telehealth consultation, but as of her last update, no conclusive diagnosis was shared. The public scrutiny over her health has fueled further online trolling, particularly from Trump supporters who have long targeted her appearance.

A Symbol of Partisan Fatigue

While her critics deride her as a symbol of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” supporters argue O’Donnell represents the emotional toll many Americans—particularly women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and entertainers—felt during Trump’s turbulent presidency. Still, her ongoing public campaign from across the Atlantic raises eyebrows.

“She moved to Ireland to escape Trump,” one social media user noted. “So why does she keep obsessing over him?”

For many, the Rosie O’Donnell saga is less about politics and more about the bitter cultural divides that define today’s America. Her ongoing war of words with Trump is no longer just about two celebrities exchanging barbs—it’s a microcosm of the anger, trauma, and fatigue still simmering on both sides of the aisle.

The Recount That Won’t Come

Despite O’Donnell’s passionate plea for a 2024 election recount, there is virtually no legal or institutional basis for such an effort. Election officials from both parties have validated the vote tallies, and courts have dismissed related claims as baseless.

Still, O’Donnell’s insistence speaks to the emotional resonance Trump continues to have—positively or negatively—on American consciousness. For some, he’s a political savior; for others, the source of lasting psychological scars.

As O’Donnell continues her life in Ireland, her feud with Trump is unlikely to fade. And in an election cycle already marked by polarization, her latest statements are a stark reminder that for many Americans, the personal is political—and the political, deeply personal.