A heated feud between former TV hosts Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Rosie O'Donnell has reignited, with Hasselbeck emotionally responding to O'Donnell's recent comments about their infamous fight on "The View" nearly two decades ago. In a series of Instagram Stories, which have since been deleted, Hasselbeck urged O'Donnell to "stop the madness" and accused her of lying about the incident.
The controversy began when O'Donnell appeared on an Australian radio show and claimed that the on-air fight, which went viral, was a "setup" by the show's producers. She described the producer as not being "on-the-fly" and suggested that the entire situation was planned.
Hasselbeck, in her emotional response, tearfully pleaded with O'Donnell to "stop the lying." She added, "Even if you don't stop, I still forgive you." She further emphasized, "It can be so much more freeing, Rosie, if you can just stop. Stop the madness and the lies, and find your freedom."
But here's where it gets controversial...
The argument between the two former co-hosts dates back to May 2007, when O'Donnell, an actor known for films like "A League of Their Own," criticized Hasselbeck for not defending her against conservative backlash over her anti-war beliefs. During the segment, the two engaged in a heated back-and-forth, resulting in a split-screen moment that has since become iconic.
O'Donnell felt that Hasselbeck had "tripped her up" on national television by questioning her patriotism. She even requested to be released from her contract early and subsequently left "The View."
Hasselbeck, in her posts, claimed that she had tried to reach out to O'Donnell after the fight. She believes that O'Donnell's comments about the split-screen moment are personally attacking her and her integrity.
And this is the part most people miss...
This feud highlights the complex dynamics of working relationships and the potential for misunderstandings and hurt feelings, especially in the public eye. It also raises questions about the role of producers and the extent to which they influence on-air interactions.
So, what's your take on this decades-long feud? Do you think O'Donnell's claims hold water, or is Hasselbeck right to call out the alleged lies? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
