Rosie O’Donnell Connects the Cornell 57 to the Proliferation of Shady Men in Political Power

by · Thought Catalog
Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

Gossip

By Chrissy Stockton

Updated 47 minutes ago, October 4, 2026

Rosie O’Donnell used an Instagram post to connect the coddling of young men who are caught assaulting women to the high number of bad men in positions of political power over us.

The Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, on September 30, 2026 — the site at the center of a rape allegation that prompted a New York state attorney general review of the school’s initial response. Photo by Spencer Platt / Getty Images.

She said, “Not holding rapists accountable in high school and college because of their ‘potential’ is how you get a rapist for President and an accused rapist for Secretary of Defense.”

At Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Rosie O’Donnell gestures toward the camera during arrivals for the 79th Annual Tony Awards on June 7, 2026. Photo by Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images.

The comedian and actress singled out the weight given to the men’s “potential” in high school and college. Her criticism extended to the president and the secretary of defense, arguing that excusing sexual violence early in life has consequences for who holds public office.

Thank you for reading. You can find Thought Catalog on Facebook, and read more over on our website.