President Trump has just dropped a bombshell by mulling over the idea of yanking Rosie O'Donnell's U.S. citizenship.
Through a fiery social media post on Saturday, July 12, 2025, Trump declared he’s seriously considering revoking the citizenship of the actress and comedian, citing her as detrimental to the nation’s interests, while her sharp criticisms of his administration and a long-standing personal feud fuel a storm of legal and public debate, CBS News reported.
This isn’t a new rivalry; Trump and O'Donnell have been trading barbs for years, long before his political days.
Recently, O'Donnell has been vocal on social media, slamming Trump’s policies, including a GOP-supported plan for tax breaks and spending cuts.
Trump fired back on July 12, 2025, with a post stating, "Because Rosie O'Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship." Well, that’s one way to escalate a spat—though it’s hard to see how this squares with constitutional protections.
He even quipped she should "stay in Ireland if they want her," a jab at her recent move abroad.
Speaking of that move, O'Donnell relocated to Ireland in January 2025 and is pursuing Irish citizenship through family ties.
She didn’t hold back in her response on social media, claiming she’s "upset the president" and aims to oppose him relentlessly.
In another post, she doubled down, stating, "[Trump] has always hated the fact that I see him for who he is - a criminal con man sexual abuser liar out to harm our nation to serve himself - this is why I moved to Ireland." That’s a hefty accusation, but it’s worth asking if fleeing the country is the best way to fight for change here at home.
Legal minds are shaking their heads at Trump’s threat, pointing to a 1967 Supreme Court ruling that upholds the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection of citizenship for native-born Americans like O'Donnell.
Law professor Amanda Frost from the University of Virginia School of Law was crystal clear via email on July 12, 2025, stating, "The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born U.S. citizen." That’s a legal brick wall if there ever was one.
Frost added, "In short, we are a nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government; the government cannot choose the people." It’s a powerful reminder that even in heated political battles, the Constitution isn’t up for negotiation.
Trump hasn’t floated the idea of stripping citizenship for the first time—he has previously targeted individuals he disagrees with, including former adviser Elon Musk, even though Musk wasn’t born in the U.S., unlike O'Donnell.
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has pushed efforts to restrict citizenship pathways and green card access. Just days before this controversy, on July 10, 2025, a federal judge blocked his executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. These actions reveal a broader agenda, but courts have struck down his moves faster than a progressive policy at a conservative rally.
While Trump’s base may applaud his tough stance, his clash with O'Donnell raises questions about where policy stops and personal vendettas begin. The U.S. State Department makes its position clear: only the individual can voluntarily relinquish citizenship. So unless O'Donnell herself waves the white flag, this threat looks more like political theater than a realistic action.
