US President Donald Trump has reignited his longstanding feud with comedian Rosie O’Donnell, threatening to revoke her US citizenship. Trump took to his Truth Social platform, stating, “Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship. She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
This move comes after O’Donnell criticized Trump’s administration over their handling of weather forecasting agencies in the wake of the deadly Texas floods. In a TikTok video, O’Donnell expressed her concerns, saying, “What a horror story in Texas… And you know, when the president guts all the early warning systems and the weathering forecast abilities of the government, these are the results that we’re gonna start to see on a daily basis.”
However, legal experts confirm that Trump’s threat to revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship is unconstitutional. According to the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, birthright citizenship is a protected right, and the president cannot unilaterally revoke the citizenship of a US-born citizen. Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, noted, “The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born US citizen.”
O’Donnell swiftly responded to Trump’s threat on Instagram, describing him as a “criminal con man sexual abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself.” She added that she moved to Ireland because of Trump’s presidency, stating, “He is a dangerous old soulless man with dementia who lacks empathy, compassion, and basic humanity.” O’Donnell also emphasized her opposition to Trump’s values, saying, “I stand in direct opposition all he represents – so do millions of others.”
The feud between Trump and O’Donnell dates back to her days as a co-host on The View, where she often clashed with Trump over his policies and behavior. In 2014, Trump criticized O’Donnell’s weight loss journey, and during his first presidency, O’Donnell expressed fear about her ability to “live through” his term.
This incident highlights the deepening divisions in American politics and the increasingly personal nature of public discourse. Trump’s threat to revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship has sparked concerns about the potential erosion of democratic norms and the misuse of executive power.
As a public figure, O’Donnell’s criticism of Trump’s administration is protected under the Constitution’s guarantee of free speech. However, Trump’s reaction underscores the challenges faced by critics of those in power and the importance of holding public officials accountable for their words and actions.