Trump Reignites O'Donnell Feud With Fresh Threat!
Rosie O'Donnell, 2008. Photo by David Shankbone under CC BY-SA 3.0.
President Donald Trump has reportedly reignited a long-standing feud with actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell in a dramatic fashion. In a recent post on his Truth Social, Trump said he was "giving serious thought" to revoking O'Donnell's US citizenship. He branded her "not a Great American" and called her a "threat to humanity," according to the New York Post. This latest salvo is less a legal maneuver and more a theatrical escalation in a decades-old personal battle — one that pits fiery rhetoric against constitutional reality.
A Threat Rooted in Personal Animosity
Trump's threat to strip O'Donnell of her citizenship is not new. He has made similar declarations in recent months, including a July post where he described her as "not in the best interests of our Great Country" and again labeled her a "Threat to Humanity," as reported by the New York Post. The feud between the two reportedly dates back nearly two decades, originating from O'Donnell's criticism of Trump on the talk show "The View" in 2006. Since then, their public exchanges have been marked by sharp insults and pointed barbs, with Trump often singling her out during his political campaigns and public appearances.
O'Donnell, born in Commack, New York, is a native-born American citizen, a status protected under the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. This amendment guarantees citizenship to anyone born on American soil, making Trump's threat legally impossible to carry out. Despite this, Trump's repeated threats seem designed more to provoke and dominate the media narrative than to reflect any genuine legal strategy.
The Constitutional Reality
The US Constitution does not grant the president the power to revoke citizenship from someone born in the country. Citizenship can only be renounced voluntarily or revoked under very specific circumstances, such as fraud during the naturalization process. O'Donnell's birthright citizenship is firmly protected, and legal experts agree that no president can unilaterally strip a native-born citizen of their nationality.
O'Donnell has previously responded to Trump's threats with defiance and wit. In July, she referenced the fictional tyrant King Joffrey from "Game of Thrones," saying, "Go ahead and try, King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan. I'm not yours to silence. I never was," as reported by the New York Post. O'Donnell also moved to Ireland with her child and is reportedly in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship, citing the political climate in the US as a reason for her relocation. She has stated that she will consider returning to America only when it is safe for all citizens to enjoy equal rights
This time, O'Donnell fired back at Trump on social media, claiming the President was using her as a way to distract from the ongoing controversy surrounding his relationship with child sex trafficker Jeffery Epstein: "I'm the distraction. Epstein survivors are the reckoning and your gold lamé throne is melting," as reported by TIME.
A Politically Charged Spectacle
This latest episode in the Trump-O'Donnell saga is less about legal feasibility and more about political theater. It's the second time the President has threatened to take O'Donnell's citizenship.
Legal analysts emphasize that Trump's threat is without merit. The Constitution's 14th Amendment clearly protects birthright citizenship, and any attempt to revoke it would face immediate legal challenges. The president's power to grant or pardon citizenship-related matters does not extend to revoking citizenship from native-born Americans.
O'Donnell, for her part, has used the platform to highlight other issues, including referencing the ongoing push for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She has positioned herself as a vocal critic of Trump's administration and policies, embracing her role as a loud, outspoken figure who refuses to be silenced.
The Broader Context of the Feud
The animosity between Trump and O'Donnell is well-documented. It began with O'Donnell's sharp criticism of Trump's behavior and policies and was met with equally harsh responses from Trump, including calling her "disgusting" during a celebrity edition of "The Apprentice," according to TIME. Over the years, their exchanges have become a recurring feature of Trump's public persona, often used to distract or energize his base.
O'Donnell's move to Ireland earlier this year, where she is pursuing dual citizenship, was partly motivated by concerns over the political climate in the US, especially regarding the treatment of marginalized communities. According to USA Today, she has been open about her reasons for leaving, citing the need to protect her non-binary, autistic child from what she describes as an increasingly hostile environment.
The Public Reaction
The public's response to Trump's latest threat has been mixed. Some see it as another example of Trump's bombastic style, designed to dominate headlines and distract from other political issues. Others express concern over the implications of such rhetoric, fearing it signals a willingness to bypass legal norms for political gain.
O'Donnell's defiant responses have garnered support from those who view her as standing up to authoritarian tendencies. Her references to Epstein and the broader political climate resonate with audiences critical of Trump's administration and its handling of various controversies.
What's Next in This Ongoing Drama?
As the feud continues to unfold, it remains clear that Trump's threat to revoke O'Donnell's citizenship is more fantasy than fact. The constitutional protections in place make such a move impossible without significant legal upheaval. Yet, the spectacle serves a purpose in the ongoing political theater that surrounds both figures.
For O'Donnell, the move to Ireland and her outspoken criticism of Trump mark a new chapter in her public life, one defined by resistance and resilience. For Trump, the feud remains a potent tool to energize his base and maintain media attention.
In the end, this clash is less about citizenship and more about power, personality, and the enduring drama of American political culture.
References: Trump 'giving serious thought' to revoking Rosie O'Donnell's US citizenship | Rosie O'Donnell References Epstein in Renewed Row With Trump | Trump threatens Rosie O'Donnell's citizenship. Can he do that?
