President Donald Trump has as soon as once more thrust himself right into a headline a couple of battle with a celeb, this time concentrating on comic and former speak present host Rosie O’Donnell with an unprecedented risk that has authorized specialists scratching their heads and civil rights advocates sounding alarm bells.
The most recent chapter of their practically two-decade feud has escalated past private insults into what many are calling yet one more risk of harmful abuse of presidential energy.
Early Saturday, July 12, Trump took to Reality Social to announce he was giving “critical consideration” to revoking O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship, claiming she “isn’t in one of the best pursuits of our Nice Nation.”
EPIC Trump TRUTH ™️ :
Due to the truth that Rosie O’Donnell isn’t in one of the best pursuits of our Nice Nation, I’m giving critical consideration to taking away her Citizenship. She is a Menace to Humanity, and may stay within the fantastic Nation of Eire, if they need… pic.twitter.com/bOMrzZBg9B
— Taxman™️ (@TaxmanTm) July 12, 2025
The publish represents a dramatic escalation of their long-standing private animosity.
The announcement triggered quick backlash throughout social media platforms, with one X consumer writing, “And so it begins. Trump is now threatening to strip Rosie O’Donnell of her U.S. citizenship as a result of she’s ‘not in one of the best pursuits of our Nice Nation.’ Bear in mind once they mocked us for saying Trump is a wannabe dictator who will all the time put himself above the Structure?”
Authorized students had been fast to level out the elemental flaw in Trump’s risk.
The 1967 Supreme Courtroom case Afroyim v. Rusk established that the U.S. authorities can’t revoke a person’s citizenship with out their consent.
Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration legislation apply at Cornell College, instructed Newsweek that “a president can’t unilaterally revoke somebody’s citizenship,” explaining that immigration legislation requires particular procedures earlier than somebody might be denaturalized, usually solely in instances involving fraud or misrepresentation.
Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington College Legislation College, was much more direct, telling Newsweek he is aware of “of no foundation that could possibly be used to strip Rosie O’Donnell of citizenship.”
O’Donnell, presently residing in Eire after leaving america simply days earlier than Trump’s second inauguration, responded fiercely on Instagram.
In her attribute unfiltered type, she wrote that “the president of the usa has all the time hated the truth that i see him for who he’s – a prison con man sexual abusing liar out to hurt our nation to serve himself – that is why i moved to eire – he’s a harmful previous soulless man with dementia who lacks empathy compassion and fundamental humanity.”
Public response to Trump’s risk has been swift and largely vital. Social media customers expressed disbelief and concern in regards to the implications.
“This dude a straight up crybaby…MAGA voted for this…Trump the sort that may go after X customers who’re making enjoyable of him with memes and jokes..he’ll threaten anybody who doesn’t conform to his agenda,” one individual tweeted.
One other warned, “I instructed you this wouldn’t finish with immigrants. Trump was going to come back for People subsequent. He’s a monster.”
The Trump-O’Donnell feud traces again to December 2006, when O’Donnell, then co-hosting “The View,” criticized Trump’s ethical authority throughout a Miss USA pageant controversy. She questioned his health to function an ethical compass, referencing his a number of marriages and affairs.
It is sort of wild how Trump’s feud with Rosie began with this straightforward joke she made about him on The View..and he is nonetheless attacking her about it 20 years later, Trump actually has some skinny pores and skin 😆 pic.twitter.com/RSa248HPiD https://t.co/dHBU79P3TV
— Michael 🍣 #FreeWendy (@MichaelEnvy) July 12, 2025
Trump responded by calling her “a girl uncontrolled” and threatening authorized motion.
Their battle grew to become a cultural touchstone, reaching its most public second throughout a 2015 presidential debate when moderator Megyn Kelly questioned Trump about his historical past of utilizing derogatory phrases to explain ladies. Trump’s response, “Solely Rosie O’Donnell,” grew to become one of the memorable moments of his first presidential marketing campaign.
Megyn Kelly: “You have known as ladies you do not like fats pigs, canines, slobs and disgusting animals.”
Donald Trump, our President: “Solely Rosie O’Donnell.”
He’s not unsuitable… pic.twitter.com/WiaFYDEqH0
— Ryann McEnany (@RyannMcEnany) March 12, 2025
Critics view Trump’s newest risk as a part of a broader sample of authoritarian conduct.
“Trump is brazenly threatening U.S. residents for criticizing him. This isn’t simply unhinged — it’s authoritarianism in plain sight,” one X consumer noticed.
One other added, “Trump threatening to exert an authority no president has. He is aware of nothing of the Structure or governance. Merely a madman.”
Some simply say he’s making an attempt throw folks off, writing, “Distraction Maintain the Epstein stress up.”
What different proof do we want? pic.twitter.com/y2BOq19g0H
— Pamela -Wysox, Pa🌎🐾🌻💙 (@pam8896) July 12, 2025
O’Donnell’s defiant second Instagram publish, featured a photograph of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and said, “hey donald – you’re rattled once more? 18 years later and I nonetheless reside rent-free in that collapsing mind of yours,” demonstrates her refusal to be intimidated by presidential threats.
The incident highlights broader considerations about Trump’s understanding of constitutional limitations and his willingness to make use of the presidency as a platform for private vendettas.
Authorized specialists agree Trump can’t revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship, however the assertion indicators the specter of much more unconstitutional actions from the forty seventh president.