Barbara Walters Stands By Rosie

Denies She Told Donald Trump She Wanted O'Donnell Off The Show

(CBS/AP)  Barbara Walters is back from vacation with two denials — one about Rosie O'Donnell and one about Donald Trump.

Walters told her audience on "The View" that she never told Trump she didn't want O'Donnell on the show, as he has said she did. She says "nothing could be further from the truth."

O'Donnell is on vacation this week and Walters says she'll welcome her back "with open arms."

Walters also says ABC asked her to read a statement denying that Trump had ever filed for "personal bankruptcy," but that "several of his casino companies have filed for business bankruptcies." She says "they're out of bankruptcy now."

Before the holidays, O'Donnell made fun of the real estate mogul and said on the show that Trump had been "bankrupt so many times."

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Photos: Rosie O'Donnell
Photos: Tara Conner
Photos: The Donald

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In an interview airing Wednesday on "Entertainment Tonight," Trump took aim at O'Donnell again by saying "ultimately she'll be dismissed" from her duties on "The View."

O'Donnell and Trump have been feuding since he gave Miss USA a second chance after allegations of underage drinking. O'Donnell said he had no right to be Tara Connor's "moral compass."

While she was on vacation, Walters commented on the ongoing feud between her co-host and Trump.

In a statement given to The ShowBuzz, Walters said: "Donald Trump is a personal friend of mine and has been a good friend to 'The View' for many years. I'm sorry there is friction between Donald and Rosie. That said, I do not regret for one moment my choice to hire Rosie O'Donnell as the moderator of 'The View'. I certainly hope and expect that this tempest will pass quickly."

Trump phoned into "Good Day LA" on Dec. 22 and said: "Let me tell you something, Barbara Walters is a good friend of mine, she cannot stand Rosie O'Donnell." He added that he doesn't plan on appearing on the ABC program again.

He responded to Walter's statement by saying, "Well, I can tell you for a fact that that's not what Barbara told me. Barbara is not a fan of Rosie. She's embarrassed by Rosie. She doesn't like Rosie. And I guess she can't say that publicly. But trust me, Larry, that's what she told me over the phone."

During his media onslaught, Trump said he was "certainly thinking really strongly" about filing a suit against O'Donnell.

[lucasnico]

teeus...........let's see....would I dislike Rosie if she were thin? Yes....she is a big bag of wind. Hate is too strong a word.....you make very good points about bigotry.

While not a Trump fan, Rosie did start it.... Trump crossed the line, as did Rosie. Would she not be the bigger person, no pun intended, if she apologized....she did her facts wrong about his bankruptcy.....and it was she who first sat in moral judgement.

[teeus]

So, the "****" in a committed relationship is less moral than the straight man who is a serial philanderer?

I'd rather hear from the gay person in the committed relationship myself.

Not wanting to hide in the closet is not "promote[ing] her homosexual deviance to the children of America every time a mike is stuck before her fat face."

What we have here is a failure to communicate: I do not accept your obvious premise that being openly gay is perverted or deviant or parading anything unsavory.

The 50s called: They want their bigotry back.

[tibu987]

Hey, this is show business, no need to get real.
O'Donnell and BaBa WaWa belong together, they are two muck-raking people that will do or say anything for attention.
Here are two women(sic) whose expensive livelihoods depends on controversy; the Jerry Springer show for women so to speak.
Remember, "bad publicity is better than no publicity at all".
That's show biz, folks.

[teeus]

ABC--listen to this viewer. I think Rosie is fine. I think The View is fine.

I think Trump is an ego-maniacal doofus. Rosie made comments about something The Donald had DONE. He simply called her fat. Wow. That's a clever retort.

If Kelly Ripa and Kathy Lee can talk about their kids and home life, so can Ms O'D. If it makes you uncomfortable, you can vote with your remote.

But try to understand that just because something makes YOU uncomfortable, doesn't mean it's "perverted."

That's your judgment. Not everyone's (thank god).

[heart191]

I would like to say that I'm very disappointed with the show "the View", I would watch your show religously and ever since Rosie came on I can not watch the show Rosie has lowerd the standard of the View. Her loud mouth, she may think she is funny ( NOT ) she is a disgrace. This whole Donald thing is a joke and what Donald says about her is so true, and you audience is tired of hearing about her lesibian life. Leave that at home.Barbara you need to get rid of her and bring someone else in. ( Take a look at the Ellen show does she bring her personal life in and her sexual life, maybe Rosie should take a note from the Ellen show) GET RID OF ROSIE , ABC YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO YOUR VIEWERS......

[teeus]

Asking to be treated as a full citizen is not "promoting a homosexual agenda." What a load of dookey.

It is a predictable as the sun rising in the east- no matter what the topic really is, any topic that has Rosie O'D involved will degenerate into name calling and hate-speech by the social conservatives. Quick question--would you hate her so much if she were a thin, play-mate looking lesbian? Or a non-anorexic straight woman?

If The View is so unwatchable these days, why are the ratings up?

[oleander8]

I am dumbfounded at the maliciousness of these posts - when it comes to class, the vicious posters are in dire need of some lessons.

[e013813]

Shame on Barbara Walters for siding with that fat slob moron with no class Rosie O'Donnell. She's white trash.

[e013813]

Rosie O'Donnell is simply someone with no class. It does not take money to have class, but she has none. She started this whole thing because of her jealousy of attractive women. It has nothing to do with her sexual preference, she was unfortunately born a very unattractive (both inside and outside)woman who happens to be a lesbian. She is jealous of Donald Trump and his wealth, power, beautiful family, etc. Everyone has demons, made mistakes, etc. including Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell. So what. As I said before, Donald Trump didn't start this, he has class. Rosie O'Donnell is a classless, abusive, unethical person and Barbara Walter, shame on you, I thought you had more class thana to defend her. You have made a big mistake which will affect your future. Too bad. I liked you but I have no respect for you now.

[skeeter_7164]

I do not understand Barbara Walters anymore! I used to think that she had more "stuff" to her, but I guess she's just getting too big to be over ruled. The View is Jerry Springer & Maury Povich, & Comedy Central all rolled up into one "SHOW" !! I used to like watching The View, but it has become nothing but a "Trashy", political bashing program. ABC is supposeded a "FAMILY" oriented outfit, But, not with the likes of Rosie O'Donnell being allowed to run her Trash Mouth like she has been. She's BAD for the youth of this country!!! I am 64 yrs young & have see a lot, but she is way over the top & needs to be gotten off the air PERMANENTLY!!!! Ms. Walters & ABC wake up!

[peaceforusa]

Rosie is a demon inside her own obese, confused body. She doesn't know who she is, but we all see what she is. She is one nasty excuse for a human being!

[kailumego1]

Tajomaria you are absolutely right Barbara is a hypocrite, I too didn't like Star Jones, but, however, she wasn't as crude as Rosie. That show is really going down the tubes, its become a psuedo-Jerry Springer.

[tajomari]

It is funny how Barbara Walters has such a double standard. I am no fan of Star Jones, but she was fired for her views. Rosie can say whatever she wants about race, sexuality and is allowed to criticize whomever and whatever issues. She constantly accuses people of things. It just seems funny.

[thgdriver]

I am so happy that someone finally took on that fat, big mouth, bit#h, "Donald Trump" Thank You!!!

Barbara Walters you are "lowering yourself" sticking up for this lowlife.

[obiwan234]

I'm sorry, but I think Rosie is a total waste of skin and there is a lot of it. She is loud, rude and abusive and should go back on the hole she climbed out of. The view has become abrasive and useless and no longer entertaining. I feel it is time for Barbara to re-do and this time get it right, loose Rosie would be a good first step.

[obiwan234]

I'm sorry, but I think Rosie is a total waste of skin and there is a lot of it. She is loud, rude and abusive and should go back on the hole she climbed out of. The view has become abrasive and useless and no longer entertaining. I feel it is time for Barbara to re-do and this time get it right, loose Rosie would be a good first step.

[obiwan234]

I'm sorry, but I think Rosie is a total waste of skin and there is a lot of it. She is loud, rude and abusive and should go back on the hole she climbed out of. The view has become abrasive and useless and no longer entertaining. I feel it is time for Barbara to re-do and this time get it right, loose Rosie would be a good first step.

[obiwan234]

I'm sorry, but I think Rosie is a total waste of skin and there is a lot of it. She is loud, rude and abusive and should go back on the hole she climbed out of. The view has become abrasive and useless and no longer entertaining. I feel it is time for Barbara to re-do and this time get it right, loose Rosie would be a good first step.

[obiwan234]

I'm sorry, but I think Rosie is a total waste of skin and there is a lot of it. She is loud, rude and abusive and should go back on the hole she climbed out of. The view has become abrasive and useless and no longer entertaining. I feel it is time for Barbara to re-do and this time get it right, loose Rosie would be a good first step.

[bellal-2009]

I can't believe Barbara Walters THEE Barbara Walters has sold out to this two bit tabloid show. Does she have any credibility left.