Washington Times reports White House responded to Rosie O'Donnell remark with 'nasty woman' language

A White House response to comedian and talk show host Rosie O’Donnell drew renewed attention after The Washington Times reported that a White House spokesperson characterized O’Donnell as “a nasty woman and a total slob,” adding that her “brain has been completely destroyed by Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The comments were reported in connection with O’Donnell’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, according to the outlet.

The reported exchange appears to have been prompted by O’Donnell’s remarks during or around her Kimmel appearance, a segment that included public political commentary that can be expected to draw responses from White House staff and surrogates when the comments are framed as criticism of the Trump administration, The Washington Times said.

No White House document, transcript, or on-the-record statement beyond the report was provided in the materials accompanying this item. As a result, Apex Times cannot independently confirm the exact wording attributed to the White House or the precise context in which it was delivered.

O’Donnell has a history of high-visibility media appearances and political commentary, and responses from federal officials to remarks in entertainment outlets often become political talking points. The reported wording, however, is notable for its tone and the way it directly links the subject’s alleged stance to “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a phrase that has circulated in political rhetoric online.

Under federal ethics and press norms, government officials typically distinguish between policy disagreements and personal insults, and the most formal White House responses are usually issued through official channels such as White House press briefings or written statements. In this case, the available record for publication relies on a news report rather than an independently confirmed primary source.

If additional documentation emerges, such as a White House briefing transcript, an official statement posted to White House websites, or a quote on the record, the episode’s factual record can be clarified, including who made the remarks and what they were responding to in the Kimmel segment.

For now, the practical effect is primarily informational: the episode illustrates how federal political offices can engage with mainstream entertainment media, and how those exchanges can quickly amplify partisan language and character attacks, with limited direct bearing on policy or statutory implementation.