Former President Donald Trump has reignited his feud with Rosie O’Donnell by suggesting she should lose her U.S. citizenship, calling her a “threat to humanity.” Trump made the claim in a Truth Social post, adding that if Ireland will have O’Donnell, she should stay there.
Rosie O’Donnell, a longtime critic of Trump, relocated to Ireland after the 2024 election. She cited the toxic political climate in the U.S. and concern for her non‑binary child as reasons for the move.
Trump renewal of feud follows O’Donnell’s flooding claims
O’Donnell recently blamed Trump for deadly floods in Texas, which killed over 120 people. She argued that his budget cuts to national weather infrastructure weakened the country’s ability to protect citizens during severe weather emergencies.
Trump responded days later on Truth Social. He said O’Donnell is not acting in the country’s best interest and therefore he’s considering revoking her citizenship. He also said she should remain in Ireland if they want her.
Legal scholars say citizenship cannot be revoked
Trump does not have the authority to strip someone’s citizenship. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to anyone born or naturalised in the U.S. and protects it from executive action. Legal experts confirm that citizenship cannot be revoked by presidential decree.
Trump has previously sought to limit birthright citizenship, but courts struck down those efforts. Constitutional scholars stress that his latest threat holds no legal weight.
Rosie seeking Irish dual citizenship amid threats
O’Donnell, born in New York to Irish-American parents, is pursuing dual citizenship with Ireland. She has maintained that the decision to leave was necessary for safety and stability.
During a CNN interview, she said the climate under Trump was worse than expected, and the April decision to leave was not made lightly.
Culture war battle escalates via social posts
Their rancor dates back nearly two decades. In 2006 O’Donnell criticized Trump’s personal conduct while co‑hosting The View. Trump responded in a 2015 debate by singling her out with derision.
Following her viral TikTok post calling Trump “a mentally ill untreated criminal,” he has repeatedly targeted her, using both social media and public remarks to frame her as a national threat.
Although Trump signed an executive order earlier pledging not to suppress free speech, critics note he has since barred AP reporters from the Oval Office and threatened legal action against CNN.
The latest flare‑up underscores renewed concern over his willingness to silence dissent — even when it flouts constitutional protections and fuels public tension with no legal basis.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.