Barbara Walters Stands By Rosie
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."
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."
Photos: Rosie O'Donnell
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.