President Donald Trump has reignited his long-standing rivalry with comedian Rosie O’Donnell, threatening to strip her of U.S. citizenship in a series of social media posts on September 6, 2025. The outburst, which called O’Donnell a “disloyal American” and “traitor,” stems from her recent criticism of Trump’s immigration policies during a late-night TV appearance. Trump accused her of “anti-American rhetoric” and vowed to use executive powers to investigate her eligibility for citizenship, claiming she “doesn’t deserve the privilege.”
O’Donnell, a natural-born U.S. citizen born in Commack, New York, in 1962, dismissed the threats as “unhinged bullying” on her podcast. She highlighted the absurdity, noting that denaturalization applies only to naturalized citizens for specific crimes like fraud or terrorism, not political disagreement. Legal experts echoed this, calling Trump’s remarks constitutionally baseless and a violation of First Amendment rights. The American Civil Liberties Union warned that such rhetoric could incite harassment against critics.
The feud dates back to 2006, when O’Donnell’s comments on “The View” about Trump’s Atlantic City casino bankruptcies led to a public war of words. Trump has repeatedly targeted her, once joking about her weight and appearance. O’Donnell’s outspoken opposition to Trump, including support for his impeachment trials, has kept the animosity alive.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump, framing his comments as “hyperbole” to underscore loyalty in a divided nation. Democrats condemned the threats as authoritarian, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling for an ethics probe. As the exchange goes viral, it highlights Trump’s combative style, raising concerns about free speech under his administration.
