Shocking Twist: Ellen DeGeneres’ Support for Rosie O’Donnell Revealed to Have Hidden Motive—Rosie Left Hurt and Betrayed

In a dramatic turn that has shocked the entertainment world, Rosie O’Donnell’s long-time critic and occasional friend, Ellen DeGeneres, stepped in to support O’Donnell after a public attack from former President Donald Trump. What initially appeared to be a heartfelt act of solidarity quickly unraveled, revealing a hidden motive that left O’Donnell reeling and betrayed.

Rosie O'Donnell attends Sky's UK Premiere of "The Last of Us" Season II at Vue West End on April 10, 2025 in London, England.

It all started after Trump publicly threatened to revoke O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship, following her move to Ireland in 2017, citing her outspoken opposition to his administration. The remarks sent O’Donnell into a social media frenzy, where she condemned Trump’s “threat to humanity” and expressed how her departure from the U.S. was tied to her moral objections to his presidency. As O’Donnell continued to rally against Trump, her long-time former talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, came to her defense, publicly reposting Trump’s post and O’Donnell’s scathing response on her Instagram. “Good for you,” Ellen wrote, signaling her support.

Rosie O'Donnell wearing a black top, Donald Trump looks on and Ellen DeGeneres smiles in split image

But what initially appeared to be a friendly gesture quickly took a darker turn, and O’Donnell’s response to Ellen’s support wasn’t quite as warm as fans had hoped.

The Unexpected Twist: Ellen’s Hidden Motive

Though O’Donnell expressed her gratitude for Ellen’s show of solidarity, fans were quick to notice a shift in O’Donnell’s tone as she began to open up about her complicated history with DeGeneres. O’Donnell had long been a vocal critic of Ellen’s stance on certain social issues and personal decisions, and the latest show of support raised eyebrows. Was it really a friendly gesture, or was there something more at play?

In a candid interview, O’Donnell revealed a surprising twist. She admitted that she had always felt a sense of discomfort with DeGeneres’s public persona, particularly when it came to Ellen’s own political views and the way she handled her departure from the U.S. after Trump’s election.

Rosie O'Donnell in a red patterned suit jacket

“When I saw Ellen post that message, I was initially moved, but it didn’t take long for me to realize something was off,” O’Donnell shared, her voice tinged with sadness. “Ellen has always been in her own world, making decisions that don’t always seem as genuine as they appear.”

Despite their long history of public appearances together, O’Donnell’s acknowledgment of Ellen’s support came with an unmistakable undercurrent of skepticism. What followed was an unexpected revelation about Ellen’s own motivations for helping Rosie.

The Hidden Agenda: Ellen’s Desire for Control

Sources close to DeGeneres suggest that Ellen’s public support for O’Donnell may have had less to do with genuine friendship and more to do with Ellen’s desire for control. Ellen, who has been under increasing scrutiny in recent years due to allegations of a toxic workplace environment, had been struggling with her own public image and attempting to make a comeback.

Rosie O'Donnell in a dark colored suit jacket and President Donald Trump waving split

According to these sources, Ellen had been seeking to repair her own reputation by aligning herself with O’Donnell, hoping to capitalize on the public’s interest in the Trump-O’Donnell feud. Ellen’s plan, however, was to use Rosie’s situation as a springboard to reassert herself as a champion for outspoken figures and progressive voices. What seemed like an act of support was actually part of Ellen’s larger strategy to regain her place in the media spotlight.

“I knew Ellen wanted to be seen as an ally, but I never imagined how far she would go to make it about herself,” O’Donnell revealed in her interview. “I was naive to think it was genuine. Ellen’s always been about Ellen.”

O’Donnell’s disillusionment grew as she learned that DeGeneres had been using her platform not only to position herself as a supportive figure but also to further her own media interests. Instead of offering a true friendship, Ellen had treated O’Donnell’s situation as just another opportunity for self-promotion.

The Hurt: Rosie Feels Used

As O’Donnell began to piece together the full extent of DeGeneres’s motives, she felt deeply hurt. “When you’re in a vulnerable position and someone offers a hand, you expect honesty. I didn’t get that,” O’Donnell confessed. “Ellen knew what I was going through. She knew the attack from Trump hurt me in ways I couldn’t explain. And yet, it wasn’t enough to just offer support; it had to be about her comeback story.”

 

The emotional toll on O’Donnell was significant. She had already been reeling from the public scrutiny of her political stances and the Trump administration’s attacks, and Ellen’s actions—though seemingly helpful—felt like another betrayal from someone she had trusted. O’Donnell, who had long struggled with maintaining friendships in the public eye, found herself once again isolated, questioning who she could truly rely on.

“I’ve learned the hard way that not everyone who claims to be an ally is one,” O’Donnell said, her voice quieter than before. “It’s painful to realize that the support I thought was genuine was just part of someone else’s plan.”

The Fallout: Public Reactions and Media Scrutiny

The fallout from this revelation has been swift and significant. Fans of both O’Donnell and DeGeneres have voiced their support for Rosie, expressing outrage at Ellen’s apparent manipulation of the situation. On social media platforms, hashtags like #RosieDeservesBetter and #EllenExposed quickly gained traction, with many calling out DeGeneres for using O’Donnell’s pain as a way to further her own agenda.

The media, too, has seized on the story, with commentators discussing the broader implications of celebrity alliances that lack sincerity. The scandal has sparked debate over the ethics of using personal relationships for professional gain, with some accusing DeGeneres of taking advantage of O’Donnell’s vulnerability to improve her own standing.

Ellen Responds: Apology or Just Another PR Move?

In a rare move, Ellen DeGeneres responded to the allegations of manipulation. In a statement released through her publicist, DeGeneres denied any ill intentions and claimed that her support for O’Donnell was heartfelt. “I have always admired Rosie for her bravery and her ability to stand up for what she believes in,” the statement read. “I never intended for anything I did to be misconstrued as anything less than support.”

However, many see the apology as insincere, given the circumstances. Critics argue that DeGeneres has been playing the role of a public figure concerned with her image rather than genuinely supporting her friend.

Moving Forward: The Broken Trust

As for Rosie O’Donnell, the road to healing and understanding remains unclear. While she continues to stand up for what she believes in, her trust in others—especially in the entertainment industry—has been irrevocably shaken. For now, she has distanced herself from DeGeneres and is focusing on her own journey of personal growth and recovery.

O’Donnell’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the complexity of public friendships and the painful reality of betrayal, even from those closest to you. As she moves forward, O’Donnell remains committed to standing for the truth, even when the world of media and fame seems filled with hidden motives and false facades.

For Ellen, the fallout from this scandal may have far-reaching consequences for her career. Whether or not she can regain the public’s trust remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: in the world of media, authenticity is more important than ever—and it’s something that both O’Donnell and DeGeneres will need to work hard to rebuild.

In the end, what was meant to be a show of solidarity has turned into a painful lesson about trust, authenticity, and the consequences of using others for personal gain.