President Donald Trump’s decades-long feud with comedian Rosie O’Donnell reignited Saturday, July 12. Trump’s threat to revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship drew swift backlash from celebrities and everyday social-media users alike, while legal experts were quick to note that such an action would be unconstitutional.
Trump posted threat on Truth Social
In his Saturday post, Trump wrote that O’Donnell “is not in the best interests of our Great Country.” He added, “I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship.”
It’s unclear what prompted his original post; however, O’Donnell posted a TikTok on June 9 criticizing the current administration’s policies.
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O’Donnell recently moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old daughter. O’Donnell, who was born in New York, said she relocated after the 2024 election because she no longer felt comfortable in the current U.S. political climate. She was able to obtain citizenship in Ireland because of her family’s lineage.
Rosie responds with post featuring Trump and Epstein
In response, O’Donnell posted a photo of Trump with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to her Instagram account. The caption read in part:
“18 years later and I still live rent-free in that collapsing brain of yours.
“You call me a threat to humanity — but I’m everything you fear:
“A loud woman
“A queer woman
“A mother who tells the truth
“An american who got out of the country b4 you set it ablaze.”
She ended the post with comparisons between the two and an Irish flag emoji.
Celebrity support floods in
The comedian’s post received support from fellow public figures. Journalist Katie Couric commented, “Be a Rosie, not a Donald.”
Comedian Ilana Glazer also shared a message of support. Ellen DeGeneres reposted Trump’s Truth Social message to her own Instagram, tagging O’Donnell and adding, “Good for you.”
DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to the United Kingdom at the end of last year. Several outlets reported that political tensions in the U.S., including Trump’s second election, played a role in their relocation.
Truth Social divided
While some users on Truth Social agreed with Trump’s message, others –– including some of his supporters –– pushed back.
One highly liked and reposted comment read, “As much as I despise her idiot rantings and stupidity, her citizenship should stay in place. We have freedom of speech, even for the stupid.”
Another user wrote: “She is an American. What’s next? We revoke anybody who disagrees or insults you? No sir, Mr. President! I support you and all that you are doing, but this, and you know it too, is total BS.”
Legal experts cite 1967 Supreme Court ruling
Despite Trump’s post, a legal scholar tells CBS News the president cannot revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship — nor can any other U.S. official.
In a landmark 1967 case, Afroyim v. Rusk, the Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. government cannot strip a citizen’s status without consent. In the 5-4 decision, the court said that once granted, citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be taken away arbitrarily, even if someone votes in a foreign election or moves abroad.
“In our country, the people are sovereign and the Government cannot sever its relationship to the people by taking away their citizenship,” Justice Hugo Black wrote for the majority.
This precedent still stands today, meaning Trump’s threat would have no legal ground — especially since O’Donnell was born in the U.S. and has not committed any act that would forfeit her citizenship.
Longstanding history of conflict
The animosity between Trump and O’Donnell dates back nearly two decades. Their feud began in 2006 when O’Donnell criticized Trump’s handling of a scandal in the Miss USA pageant on “The View.” Trump responded by attacking O’Donnell’s appearance and calling her a “loser.”
Over the years, both have made jabs at each other in interviews and on social media. O’Donnell has long been an outspoken critic of Trump’s political rhetoric.
