President Donald Trump has reignited a long-standing feud with comedian Rosie O’Donnell following her remarks about his health. Trump shared an AI-generated image on his Truth Social account early Friday morning. The image depicts O’Donnell in a medical exam room, with a doctor resembling Trump, and labels a ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome Assessment.’
The assessment humorously diagnoses O’Donnell with a severe case of TDS, listing symptoms like ‘irrational rage,’ ‘obsessive Trump fixation,’ and ‘meltdown triggered by Trump news.’ The post appears to be a response to O’Donnell’s recent comments on the On With Kara Swisher podcast, where she alleged Trump’s declining health.
During the podcast, host Kara Swisher mentioned public fatigue with Trump, to which O’Donnell responded by questioning his health and fitness for office. O’Donnell doubted whether those around Trump were transparent about his condition.
Trump’s Familiar Phrase
The term ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ is widely used by Trump’s supporters to label critics of his presidency as irrationally obsessed or oppositional. Critics argue it is a way to dismiss valid concerns about Trump and his policies.
Trump often utilizes memes and AI-generated content on Truth Social for satirical purposes against opponents and critics. His post targeting O’Donnell exemplifies this pattern while reviving their well-publicized feud.
Trump’s Health Reports
The controversy occurs months after Trump’s annual medical exam, where he was deemed in ‘excellent health.’ Following this exam, Captain Sean Barbabella reported Trump’s vigorous cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological function. Trump, aged 80, was found ‘fully fit to carry out all duties’ as Commander-in-Chief.
Earlier reports disclosed Trump’s chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein issue causing leg swelling, with no signs of serious cardiovascular or kidney issues according to White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
O’Donnell did not provide evidence to back her assertions about Trump’s health, and official statements from the White House uphold Trump’s robust health status.
Long-Standing Feud
Trump and O’Donnell’s animosity dates back nearly two decades. In 2006, O’Donnell criticized Trump on ABC’s The View regarding his handling of Miss USA winner Tara Conner’s controversy. The feud intensified with media insults and persisted through Trump’s television era and presidency.
Their rivalry became politically significant during the 2016 Republican primaries when Fox News Fox debate moderator Megyn Kelly referenced Trump’s remarks about women. Trump attributed some remarks to O’Donnell, generating laughter from the audience and further embedding their feud into popular culture.
Through the years, Trump and O’Donnell have exchanged public insults via TV, social media, and interviews.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Rebecca Flood and Emma Lee-Sang