Trump trolls Rosie O’Donnell with manipulated image, threatens to revoke citizenship; law says he has no legal authority

Two months after his first threat of revoking citizenship, Donald Trump reignites his long-running feud with Rosie O’Donnell. He shared a heavily edited, unflattering photo of comedian Rosie O’Donnell on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Wednesday night (September 3). Alongside the image, Trump wrote: “As previously mentioned, we are giving serious thought to taking away Rosie O’Donnell’s citizenship. She is not a Great American and is, in my opinion, incapable of being so!”

Legal experts emphasize that a US president does not have the authority to revoke the citizenship of a native-born American. With this post, Trump reignited his feud with comedian Rosie O’Donnell. She is an American comedian, actress, and TV personality, best known for The Rosie O’Donnell Show and her work on The View. She is an LGBTQ+ advocate, philanthropist, and mother.

Earlier this year, O’Donnell relocated to Dublin, Ireland, with her youngest child, Clay, who is autistic and non-binary, citing concerns about the US political climate. She is pursuing Irish citizenship through descent.

Longstanding feud between Trump and O’Donnell

The threat is part of a feud that stretches back nearly two decades. O’Donnell has frequently criticized Trump publicly, including during her time on The View and in interviews following the 2024 election.

Know the legal reality

Under US law, citizenship can only be lost under very specific conditions:

• Formally renouncing citizenship
  
• Joining a foreign military at war with the United States
  
• Accepting certain foreign government positions
  
• Committing acts of treason
  

A president’s personal opinion or social media post does not constitute legal grounds for revoking citizenship.

Who is Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O’Donnell, born March 21, 1962, in Commack, New York, is an American comedian, talk show host, actress, and activist. She began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager and gained national recognition on Star Search in 1984.

O’Donnell’s breakthrough came with The Rosie O’Donnell Show (1996–2002), earning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and the nickname “Queen of Nice” for her playful and philanthropic approach. Over the years, she has appeared in films like A League of Their Own and Sleepless in Seattle, voiced characters in Tarzan, and starred in TV series including SMILF and A League of Their Own.

She has also hosted multiple talk shows, including stints on The View and The Rosie Show on OWN, and contributed as a magazine editor, blogger, and author of memoirs such as Find Me and Celebrity Detox. O’Donnell is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, a foster and adoptive mother, and in 2025, she relocated to Ireland, pursuing citizenship there amid a long-running public feud with Donald Trump.

Beyond entertainment, O’Donnell has been deeply involved in philanthropy and social activism. She founded the For All Kids Foundation and supported causes like gun control, autism awareness, and foster care. She also launched Rosie magazine, covering topics from health to social issues, though it folded in 2003 after editorial disputes.

O’Donnell’s outspoken political stances, including criticism of the Bush administration and advocacy for progressive causes, have often drawn both praise and controversy.

Trump’s post against O’Donnell comes amid multiple controversies surrounding his administration, including disputes over Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and ongoing conspiracy theories about his health.

O’Donnell has not publicly responded to Wednesday’s post as of Thursday morning.