Trump Threatens to Revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. Citizenship in Escalating Feud
July 12, 2025 — President Donald Trump announced on Saturday via Truth Social that he is considering revoking the U.S. citizenship of actor and comedian Rosie O’Donnell, a longtime critic, despite lacking a clear legal pathway to do so. The move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s efforts to redefine American citizenship and target his adversaries.
Trump’s Provocative Statement
In a morning post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship. She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
O’Donnell, a New York-born actor who currently resides in Ireland, has been a vocal critic of Trump for nearly two decades. The White House declined to comment on the feasibility or seriousness of Trump’s threat, which lacks clear legal precedent.
A Pattern of Citizenship Weaponization
Trump’s threat against O’Donnell aligns with his administration’s broader efforts to restrict citizenship. Since taking office, Trump has pursued policies to limit paths to citizenship, including a January executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen or non-permanent resident parents. This order, which sparked a legal battle, was recently blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire after the U.S. Supreme Court deemed an earlier decision overly broad.
Additionally, a June 11 memo from Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate outlined plans to “prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings” against naturalized citizens who have committed certain crimes. Trump has also questioned the citizenship of other political figures, such as New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a naturalized citizen.
These actions reflect Trump’s intent to narrow the definition of American citizenship, a cornerstone of his political agenda.
O’Donnell’s Response
O’Donnell swiftly rebuked Trump’s threat in an Instagram post, accusing him of targeting dissenters:
“The president of the usa has always hated the fact that i see him for who he is – a criminal con man sexual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself – this is why i moved to ireland,” she wrote, describing Trump as “a dangerous old soulless man with dementia who lacks empathy compassion and basic humanity.”
O’Donnell, who moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old child in January 2025, cited concerns over political instability and unequal rights in the U.S. as reasons for her departure. In a March TikTok post, she stated, “When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.” She is currently pursuing Irish citizenship through her grandparents.
A Longstanding Feud
The animosity between Trump and O’Donnell dates back to 2006, when O’Donnell, then a host on The View, criticized Trump’s “moral compass.” Trump retaliated, calling her a “woman out of control.” The feud intensified during a 2015 Republican primary debate when Trump, responding to a question about his derogatory language toward women, quipped that such terms applied to “only Rosie O’Donnell.”
Throughout Trump’s first term, O’Donnell expressed fears about surviving his presidency. Her decision to leave the U.S. after his 2024 reelection underscored her concerns about his leadership. Despite her relocation, O’Donnell has remained outspoken, recently attributing deadly Texas flash floods to Trump’s policies, claiming in a TikTok post that his administration’s cuts to early warning systems and weather forecasting contributed to such disasters.
Legal and Political Implications
Revoking the citizenship of a natural-born U.S. citizen like O’Donnell is unprecedented and constitutionally questionable. Legal experts argue that no clear mechanism exists for such an action, and any attempt would likely face significant judicial scrutiny. Trump’s threat appears to be more symbolic, aimed at silencing a critic while reinforcing his narrative on citizenship and national identity.
As Trump’s administration continues to push controversial immigration and citizenship policies, the targeting of high-profile figures like O’Donnell signals a new phase in his efforts to reshape the boundaries of American identity.