In a recent event at the White House celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, actress Rosie O’Donnell expressed her dismay at President Donald Trump’s casual remark that seemed to leverage her as a punchline during a press conference with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The encounter took place as Martin was asked a rather unusual question about O’Donnell moving to Ireland, to which Trump responded with amusement, saying, “Thank you, I like that question.” O’Donnell, known for her outspoken stance against Trump, revealed her feelings on The Late, Late Show, describing the incident as ‘very, very surreal.’ She articulated concern regarding how Trump’s comment diminished the respect owed to a national leader during such visits.
O’Donnell has long felt targeted by Trump, especially after her candid criticisms on the television show The View, which have led Trump to use her as a recurring punchline in his public discourse. Regretting that Martin was placed in a position to endure such remarks, she reached out to express her apologies, recognizing the importance of maintaining decorum in diplomatic interactions.
Through this incident, O’Donnell’s reflections highlight the often uncomfortable intersection of politics and personal narratives, where public figures’ past interactions can influence the tone of international relations.