President Donald Trump suggests stripping Rosie O’Donnell of U.S. citizenship, claiming she poses a danger and belongs instead in Ireland.

A Renewed Retaliatory Rant

July 12, 2025: Former President Donald Trump reignited tensions with comedian Rosie O’Donnell via Truth Social, writing that he’s giving “serious consideration” to revoking her U.S. citizenship, calling her a “Threat to Humanity” and stating she belongs in Ireland.

Citizenship Beyond Political Reach

Legal experts have swiftly weighed in, emphasizing that citizenship granted at birth—such as O’Donnell’s—cannot be revoked, even by executive decree. The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship, and the Supreme Court has consistently ruled against revocation for political speech.

A Broader Pattern of Denaturalization Threats

Trump’s rhetoric extends beyond O’Donnell. He has previously targeted individuals like Elon Musk and Zohran Mamdani, raising the prospect of stripping naturalized citizens of their status based on ideological or political grounds. Critics warn this sets a fraught precedent undermining democratic norms.

Democratic Backlash and Freedom at Risk

Civil liberties advocates argue Trump’s threats erode constitutional protections, particularly for naturalized citizens. They caution this could intimidate dissent and reshape citizenship as conditional rather than guaranteed. Observers draw parallels to Cold War denaturalization campaigns known to suppress political opposition.

Rosie Fires Back: “Evil Man‑Child”

O’Donnell responded to Trump’s threat in her characteristic blunt style, calling her former adversary an “evil man-child” and reaffirming her decision to relocate to Ireland for peace of mind and family stability.

Why This Matters

Citizenship law requires convictions such as naturalization fraud to revoke citizenship—speech or dissent don’t qualify. Trump’s statements, while lacking legal basis, symbolize a broader push toward politicizing fundamental rights. Critics say the chilling impact may extend far beyond public figures, affecting millions of naturalized Americans.

Trump’s threat to strip Rosie O’Donnell of her U.S. citizenship escalates a long-standing personal feud—and raises alarms about constitutional boundaries. Legal authorities affirm such a move would be unlawful, creating potential ripple effects felt by all naturalized citizens.