Washington — Former president Donald Trump escalated his long-standing feud with comedian Rosie O’Donnell on Saturday, tweeting that he is “seriously considering” revoking her U.S. citizenship. O’Donnell, who was born in New York and now lives in Ireland, has been a vocal critic of Trump for years.
“Because Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country … she should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” Trump wrote.
No Clear Legal Path
Trump’s threat marks a new and dramatic twist—it suggests the use of citizenship as a political weapon. While his administration previously pursued mass deportations and even attempted to remove birthright citizenship, actually stripping natural-born citizenship is unprecedented and legally murky. The White House has not clarified whether Trump is serious or how he would legally proceed.
A Broader Strategy to Tighten Citizenship Rules
This move fits into Trump’s broader agenda of redefining American citizenship:
In January, he issued an executive order aiming to end birthright citizenship—a change blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire after a Supreme Court ruling deemed it too sweeping.
In June, the Justice Department announced increased efforts to denaturalize certain naturalized citizens with criminal convictions.
Trump has also publicly questioned the citizenship status of political opponents like New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani.
Rosie O’Donnell Fires Back
O’Donnell responded via Instagram, accusing Trump of planning to “deport all who stand against his evil tendencies.” She described him as:
“A criminal con man sexual abusing liar ... a dangerous old soulless man with dementia who lacks empathy, compassion, and basic humanity.”
Their public feud goes back nearly two decades. In 2006, O’Donnell clashed with Trump on The View, criticizing his “moral compass.” Trump retaliated by calling her “a woman out of control.” Their tension flared up again during the 2015 Republican debate when Trump singled her out in a heated exchange.
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From Political Storm to Life in Ireland
Fearing for her safety, O’Donnell moved to Ireland—her homeland through her grandparents—shortly after Trump won re-election. In a TikTok post earlier this year, she explained that she’ll consider returning only when “all citizens have equal rights” in the U.S. She’s currently pursuing Irish citizenship.
Despite the move, her voice remains active in American politics. Last week, she blamed Trump’s cuts to flood warning systems for the deadly Texas flash floods, calling it a direct consequence of his administration's policies.
Why It Matters
Legal Implications: Stripping a natural-born citizen of U.S. citizenship would be a groundbreaking and legally fraught move.
Political Weaponization: This fits into a pattern where citizenship is being used as a tool to punish or silence political opposition.
Ongoing Citizenship Debate: From birthright citizenship to denaturalization efforts, America’s definition of who qualifies as “American” is under scrutiny once again.
Bottom Line:
Trump’s threat to revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship isn’t just a personal attack—it taps into bigger questions about immigration, legal precedent, and the definition of American identity. The real test will come if this threat moves beyond social media and into legal or executive action.