Rosie O'Donnell's Fiery Clash with Barbara Walters



by NOUMAN RASOOL

Rosie O'Donnell's Fiery Clash with Barbara Walters
Rosie O'Donnell's Fiery Clash with Barbara Walters

Rosie O'Donnell, a renowned queer icon and actress, recently opened up about a heated argument with Barbara Walters, the creator of The View. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the 61-year-old former View moderator revealed that the intense clash occurred backstage and centered around their differing opinions on Donald Trump.

The feud was ignited when Trump penned an open letter to O'Donnell, claiming that Walters had contacted him to apologize for O'Donnell's behavior. This revelation left O'Donnell stunned and sparked a confrontation in the makeup room.

O'Donnell confronted Walters, expressing her disappointment at their lack of communication and questioning their friendship's authenticity. The argument quickly escalated, with emotions running high and voices growing louder.

The intensity of the altercation shocked the backstage crew, as no one had ever dared to challenge Walters in such a manner before. O'Donnell acknowledged crossing a line during the exchange by mentioning Walters' daughter, Jacqueline Dena Guber.

She admitted that her comment had hurt Walters deeply, mainly since they were about to go live on air in just 20 minutes. O'Donnell, however, emphasized that she had apologized to Walters multiple times since then, and they had managed to move past the incident and reconcile before Walters' death in 2022.

Maternal Insight Reveals Relationship Divide

When pressed for details about what she had said regarding Walters' daughter, O'Donnell clarified that her remarks were not malicious but highlighted the different dynamics between their relationships with their children.

She explained that she felt a maternal connection towards older women, not in a romantic sense, but in providing guidance and support. Thus, when she felt hurt by them, the impact seemed magnified in the heat of the moment.

This altercation with Walters was not O'Donnell's only memorable clash on The View. In 2007, she engaged in a highly publicized on-air argument with Elisabeth Hasselbeck, ultimately leading to her departure. Although O'Donnell briefly returned as a co-host from 2014 to 2015, she has since expressed reluctance to engage in similar confrontational environments.

O'Donnell believes that such platforms hinder her ability to utilize her talents effectively and advocate for basic principles of humanity and kindness. In conclusion, Rosie O'Donnell's behind-the-scenes altercation with Barbara Walters on The View remains a notable incident in their tumultuous relationship.

While political differences fueled their argument, O'Donnell has expressed remorse for her words and acknowledged their impact on their friendship.