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Tuesday, 09 January 2007 16:17 |
| John North
Editor & Publisher |
While it has its amusing aspects, the nasty feud between Rosie OëDonnell and Donald Trump strikes me as a surreal commentary on the human condition.
However, both parties involved have morphed into cartoonish characters, at least in the publicës mind, so maybe I shouldnët make too much of the situation.
OëDonnell, the oustpoken moderator of "The View," instigated the feud last month after Trump announced that Miss USA Tara Conner would keep her title, which had been in jeopardy because of underage drinking. Trump owns the Miss Universe Organization, which includes Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
OëDonnell
told her audience on "The View" that the twice-divorced real estate
mogul had no right to be "the moral compass for 20-year-olds in
America."
She also said that The Donald has been "bankrupt so many times."
Meanwhile,
Trump, a self-professed "fighter," called OëDonnell a loser, a slob and
a bully. He predicted that, "ultimately, sheëll be dismissed" from her
duties on "The View."
During the
ensuing media onslaught, Trump said he was "certainly thinking really
strongly" about filing a lawsuit against OëDonnell.
Trump also
claimed that Barbara Walters, the host of "The View," is a close friend
of his who detests OëDonnell and never wanted her on her ABC show.
Upon returning from a vacation, Walters issued two denials in regard to the Donald-Rosie feud.
First, she said she never told Trump, who she considers a close personal friend, that she didnët want OëDonnell on the show.
Walters also
said ABC asked her to read a statement denying that Trump has ever
filed for "personal bankruptcy," but that "several of his casino
companies have filed for business bankruptcies." She added that
"theyëre out of bankruptcy now."
In response to
Waltersë statement, Trump told talk-show host Larry King, "Well, I can
tell you for a fact that thatës not what Barbara told me. Barbara is
not a fan of Rosie. Sheës embarrassed by Rosie. She doesnët like Rosie.
And I guess she canët say that publicly. But trust me, Larry, thats
what she told me over the phone."
In separate
comments, Trump said of his slamming of OëDonnell, "I have no choice
because every time I go in an interview, people ask me about Rosie. So
I respond by saying sheës not very intelligent, which sheës not, sheës
had many failures in her life, which she has ÇƒÓ and I respond."
Trump, who seems
to be as ruthless as his grandiose persona, has gained notoriety
despite some questionable behavior and practices. His television show,
"The Apprentice," features him as an exacting boss who finds fault with
employees and frequently fires them. Someone who is known for his
trophy wives and girflfriends is probably not the best candidate for
giving moral advice to anyone.
As for
OëDonnell, I wonder who she thinks she is to be casting stones at
Trump? The pundit and talk-show regular has reaped incalculable free
publicity from their feud.
Neither of them
comes anywhere close to being a role model. Ironically, Trump, who
claims to be so smart, played right into OëDonnellës hand by
responding, making her a world-renowned figure and likely boosting her
career.
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