Disney sues FCC as Rosie O'Donnell returns to ABC to mock Trump

Key points

• O'Donnell guest-hosted 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' for the week of August 17, 2026, framing the appearance as a 'special treat' for Trump.
• She used nicknames like 'Mango Mussolini' and 'Oompa J. Loompa' to mock the president, referencing his recent escape from Air Force One in a catering truck.
• Disney and ABC sued the FCC on August 18, 2026, challenging the early renewal of eight ABC station licenses.
• The lawsuit alleged that FCC pressure caused ABC to self-censor political coverage on 'The View' and air a Trump speech containing debunked claims to avoid regulatory retaliation.
• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr dismissed the lawsuit as meritless, claiming the review focused on Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices rather than speech.
• Comedian Kathy Griffin expressed hurt over not being invited to O'Donnell's week, citing a personal friendship and shared history of public backlash from Trump.

Background

O'Donnell's return follows her relocation to Ireland in 2025 to escape the political climate and Trump's threats to revoke her citizenship. She had previously quit her own talk show in 2002 after saving $100 million. Her recent return to network television contrasts with her earlier decision to leave 'The View' and her ongoing feud with Trump, which began in 2006 when she criticized his business practices.

How outlets are covering it

Salon frames O'Donnell's return and the lawsuit as a decisive end to ABC's capitulation to Trump, highlighting Disney's shift from accommodation to legal confrontation. USA Today focuses on the decades-long personal feud between O'Donnell and Trump, noting her use of coded insults to avoid direct naming. The Daily Beast emphasizes her specific jabs at Trump's assistant, Natalie Harp. The New York Post highlights the exclusion of Kathy Griffin, who felt betrayed by O'Donnell's lack of support despite their friendship and shared history of being targeted by Trump. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle dismissed O'Donnell's comments as 'Trump Derangement Syndrome,' while conservative media framed her return as a symptom of the same condition.

Why it matters

The lawsuit represents a significant escalation in the conflict between major media corporations and the Trump administration, challenging the use of federal regulatory power to influence news coverage. O'Donnell's return signals a cultural shift in late-night television, moving from avoidance to direct confrontation with the president. The admission of self-censoring by a $106 billion conglomerate underscores the chilling effect of regulatory threats on journalistic integrity and First Amendment rights.

What to watch

Disney and ABC will seek emergency relief in federal court to stop the FCC's early license renewal proceeding. O'Donnell's guest-hosting week concludes on August 20, with Kimmel resuming his regular hosting duties. The outcome of the lawsuit will determine whether ABC's station licenses are at risk and whether the FCC's review of Disney's practices will continue. O'Donnell has hinted at a potential larger role in late-night television, though her return to 'The View' remains uncertain.