Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck's Long-Standing 'View' Feud Explodes Again

A nearly two-decade-old conflict between former "The View" co-hosts Rosie O'donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck has flared up once more, bringing their infamous on-air spat back into the spotlight.

The latest chapter in their public disagreement began after O'Donnell reignited claims that their 2007 argument was a "setup." This prompted a tearful video response from Hasselbeck, who urged her former colleague to "stop the lying" and "bullying." Their ongoing feud highlights persistent clashes over political views and personal integrity, keeping fans engaged in their long-running television drama.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Fires Back With Emotional Plea After New Accusations

Conservative commentator Elisabeth Hasselbeck, 48, took to her Instagram Stories on Thursday, October 9, 2025, to respond to Rosie O'Donnell's recent comments. In a lengthy and emotional video, Hasselbeck praised former "View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg for maintaining a friendship despite their differing social and political views.

Hasselbeck stated that such a respectful dynamic is "not possible with someone like Rosie O'Donnell, who time and time again wants to spread lies and hate." She claimed to have attempted to contact O'Donnell multiple times to "close the yearbook" on their feud, but said O'Donnell has not returned her calls.

Hasselbeck tearfully asked O'Donnell to "stop lying" about their "View" fight, asserting, "we're all just trying our best." She pleaded with O'Donnell to "stop the madness, stop the lying, and just be free," adding that she forgives her even if O'Donnell does not stop. Hasselbeck also accused O'Donnell of trying to "destroy" her character, emphasizing that "this is not how women should be."

During her response, Hasselbeck also mentioned that ABC made her call O'Donnell and apologize after their on-air spat. She further claimed that O'Donnell's behavior during the 2007 incident was so upsetting that it "threw me into early contractions," as Hasselbeck was pregnant at the time.

She also implored O'Donnell, 63, to "come back to America" and "enjoy your nation." O'Donnell reportedly left the U.S. for Ireland earlier in 2025 following the re-election of President Donald Trump. As of Friday, October 10, 2025, O'Donnell's representatives have not publicly responded to Hasselbeck's latest remarks.

Revisiting the Original 2007 On-Air Confrontation That Started It All

The core of this enduring feud traces back to a heated May 2007 episode of "The View." During the live broadcast, Rosie O'Donnell suggested that U.S. troops could be considered terrorists due to Iraqi deaths during the Iraq War.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck promptly challenged O'Donnell's comments, leading to a dramatic, show-stopping exchange. The debate quickly escalated from political disagreements to personal jabs, with O'Donnell questioning why Hasselbeck hadn't defended her against conservative media criticism that painted her as unpatriotic.

The argument became iconic for its split-screen presentation, which focused on both co-hosts as they spoke over each other. This decision by the production team became a key point in O'Donnell's recent allegations.

Rosie O'Donnell Reignites Claims, Calling 2007 Spat a "Setup" by Producers

Rosie O'Donnell recently revisited the 2007 incident during an interview on the Australian radio show "Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel" on October 6, 2025. She expressed disbelief at Hasselbeck's actions, stating, "I cannot believe that this woman, after all I did for her." O'Donnell affirmed that when she took the job, she committed to not being Hasselbeck's "enemy" and intended to "meet her as a person."

O'Donnell recounted her efforts to build a personal relationship with Hasselbeck, including having her over to her house, where Hasselbeck swam in her pool with her child. O'Donnell also mentioned taking Hasselbeck's child to "Sesame Street Live" and accompanying Hasselbeck to her first Broadway opening, stating she "bent over backwards for this woman." She then felt betrayed when Hasselbeck questioned her patriotism on national television.

During the podcast, O'Donnell described her experience on the show, saying, "It felt to me like I was on a basketball team of five women, and one of them kept tripping me on the way to the hoop." She then explicitly claimed that the famous split-screen presentation of their argument was a deliberate act by the show's production.

O'Donnell alleged that the late producer Bill Geddie, who passed away in July 2023, was not known for making spontaneous decisions like going to a split-screen. "That was prepared," O'Donnell charged. "So, the whole thing, I think, was a setup."

The Lingering Aftermath and Subsequent Departures from "The View"

The explosive 2007 confrontation led to Rosie O'Donnell's initial departure from "The View." ABC announced that O'Donnell requested to be released from her contract just eight months into her stint, leaving shortly after the fight.

Hasselbeck remained a co-host on the ABC daytime talk show until 2013. She later returned as a guest co-host in 2022. O'Donnell, meanwhile, made a brief return to "The View" as a panelist from 2014 to 2015, but ultimately left for good after experiencing health issues and further clashes, including with moderator Whoopi Goldberg.

The feud between O'Donnell and Hasselbeck has continued to resurface over the years. In 2022, O'Donnell made a TikTok video commenting on Hasselbeck's return as a guest co-host, noting it was "strange" to see her using Post-it notes to argue against President Joe Biden.

Beyond their personal clash, the article notes O'Donnell's long-standing public feud with Donald Trump, which was briefly brought up during the original 2007 "View" argument. Hasselbeck had once challenged O'Donnell, saying it was "much easier to fight someone like Donald Trump" because "he's obnoxious." O'Donnell denied fighting Trump, stating he "fought me" after she "told a fact about him."

Why This Decades-Old Feud Continues to Captivate and Reignite

The persistent nature of the Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck feud speaks to their strong, contrasting personalities and deeply held political beliefs. Their public careers have often intersected with their roles on "The View," a platform designed to foster spirited debate.

For fans, the ongoing drama offers a window into the intense pressures and personal toll of live television, especially when deeply personal and political disagreements collide. The "setup" accusation by O'Donnell adds a layer of behind-the-scenes intrigue, suggesting that their televised arguments were not entirely organic.

Hasselbeck's emotional response this week suggests that, despite the passage of time, the events of 2007 still carry significant weight for both women. The public nature of their past and present comments ensures that their long-running dispute remains a talking point in pop culture discussions.