President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by suggesting he may revoke the U.S. citizenship of longtime critic, actress, and comedian Rosie O’Donnell. The threat comes despite a decades-old Supreme Court ruling that explicitly prohibits the federal government from stripping native-born citizens of their citizenship.
Trump Claims Rosie O’Donnell Is “Not in the Best Interests” of the U.S.
In a social media post on Saturday, July 12, 2025, President Trump stated:
“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.”
He also referenced her recent relocation to Ireland, saying, “She should stay in Ireland—if they want her.”
Rosie O’Donnell Moves to Ireland, Begins Irish Citizenship Process
O’Donnell, born in the United States, moved to Ireland in January following Trump’s defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. The comedian cited her opposition to Trump’s administration as a motivating factor. She has since confirmed that she is pursuing Irish citizenship based on her family lineage.
Legal Experts Say Trump Has No Power to Strip Citizenship
Legal scholars quickly responded to Trump’s comments, emphasizing that he has no legal authority to revoke the citizenship of a native-born U.S. citizen. Amanda Frost, a law professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, explained:
“The president has no authority to take away the citizenship of a native-born U.S. citizen. In short, we are a nation founded on the principle that the people choose the government; the government cannot choose the people.”
The U.S. State Department also affirms on its official website that U.S. citizens—by birth or naturalization—can only lose their nationality if they voluntarily and intentionally renounce it.
Not the First Threat: Trump Also Targeted Elon Musk
This is the latest in a series of high-profile citizenship threats by President Trump. Just days earlier, he made similar comments about former adviser and ex-ally Elon Musk. However, Musk was born in South Africa and is a naturalized citizen, which makes his case legally distinct from that of O’Donnell.
Rosie O’Donnell Fires Back: “Add Me to the List”
In response to Trump’s post, O’Donnell fired back on social media, saying:
“Add me to the list of people who oppose him at every turn.”
The feud between Trump and O’Donnell dates back to well before Trump entered politics and has often been marked by sharp, public exchanges.