Trump Threatens to Revoke Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship

Former President Donald Trump has publicly announced that he is considering stripping Rosie O’Donnell of her American citizenship. O’Donnell, a comedian, TV host, and actress, moved to Ireland following Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.

Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, that O’Donnell is “not in the best interests of our Great Country” and is “a Threat to Humanity,” suggesting she should remain in Ireland if they want her. He added, “GOD BLESS AMERICA!”

Under the Fourteenth Amendment, which grants citizenship to those born or naturalized in the U.S., Trump’s threat has no legal basis. The law permits citizenship revocation only if a naturalized citizen’s status was obtained through illegal means or misrepresentation, a matter typically decided by a court, not the president.

Legal experts have expressed concerns over potential misinterpretations of the law, but O’Donnell’s case is straightforward, as she was born in New York and is a U.S. citizen by birth.

The threat followed O’Donnell criticizing Trump for his handling of devastating floods in Texas that have resulted in at least 122 deaths. She accused Trump of endangering the country with his decisions, claiming, “People will die as a result and they have started already. Shame on him.”

While the First Amendment protects O’Donnell’s ability to express her opinions, Trump’s public hint at revoking her citizenship marks a concerning escalation. Such rhetoric raises alarms about the potential abuse of presidential powers and the threat it poses to free speech and individual rights in the future.