President Donald Trump has once again raised the prospect of revoking comedian Rosie O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship, a move he has previously threatened but cannot legally implement. O’Donnell, a prominent figure in American entertainment known for her sharp wit and outspoken personality, has been a target of Trump’s ire for nearly two decades. The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, when Trump posted on Truth Social, stating that he was giving ‘serious thought’ to stripping O’Donnell’s citizenship, calling her ‘not a Great American’ and ‘incapable of being so.’ This declaration marks yet another escalation in what has become a long-standing, often personal, feud between the former president and the comedian.
This feud traces back to 2006, when O’Donnell criticized Trump on ‘The View’ for his decision to be lenient toward a Miss USA contestant who had been accused of drug use and other scandals. Since then, their relationship has grown increasingly hostile, with Trump frequently making public statements about O’Donnell, often referring to her as a ‘thunder thief’ and a ‘disgusting’ figure. In 2015, during a Republican primary debate, Trump was asked about his past use of derogatory terms to describe women, and he responded with a single name: ‘Only Rosie O’Donnell.’ This moment underscored the personal nature of their conflict, which has since escalated even further.
Despite Trump’s recent threats, the U.S. Constitution prevents any president from revoking the citizenship of someone born in the country, as the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to everyone born in the United States. O’Donnell was born in Commack, New York, and thus, her citizenship cannot be taken away by executive action. However, her recent decision to move to Ireland and pursue Irish citizenship has further complicated the situation. O’Donnell, who has Irish heritage, has cited the political climate in the United States as a reason for her relocation, indicating her growing dissatisfaction with the current administration.
During a visit to the White House in March, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin was asked about O’Donnell’s decision to move to Ireland, and Trump interjected, stating that he ‘was better off not knowing who she was.’ This comment has only added to the public perception of their conflict, further entrenching the idea of O’Donnell as a political figure and a target of Trump’s rhetoric. O’Donnell, in turn, has used social media to respond to Trump’s comments, including a now-infamous reference to the character King Joffrey from ‘Game of Thrones,’ stating, ‘Go ahead and try, king joffrey with a tangerine spray tan. I’m not yours to silence. I never was.’ Her response has been widely circulated online, symbolizing the intensity of their ongoing dispute.
However, O’Donnell is not without her own controversies. In the wake of a recent school shooting in Minneapolis that left two children dead and over a dozen injured, she posted a video suggesting that the shooter was a MAGA supporter, a Republican, and a white supremacist. The video sparked widespread backlash, and O’Donnell later took it down and issued an apology, stating that she had made an emotional statement without sufficient due diligence. This incident has raised questions about the responsibility of public figures in making statements about sensitive issues, particularly in the wake of tragic events.
Despite the recent controversy, O’Donnell remains a significant figure in American entertainment, known for her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and her outspoken personality. Her decision to pursue Irish citizenship reflects not only her personal preferences but also broader concerns about the political climate in the United States. As the country continues to grapple with issues of free speech, political polarization, and identity, the ongoing feud between O’Donnell and Trump serves as a reminder of the personal and political dimensions that often shape public discourse in America.