The contentious history between President Donald Trump and comedian Rosie O'Donnell has taken a dramatic turn, with the President suggesting the possibility of revoking O'Donnell's American citizenship. This latest development follows O'Donnell's erroneous claim linking a Minnesota church shooter to Trump supporters, for which she later apologized.
The White House has expressed that the damage from O'Donnell's statements was significant. Trump's response came via a social media post, where he stated, "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!" This marks the second time this summer that Trump has taken direct aim at O'Donnell, having previously described her as "not in the best interests of our Great Country" and a "Threat to Humanity."
The animosity between the two public figures dates back to the early 2000s, starting with O'Donnell's mockery of Trump's handling of a Miss America pageant. The feud has persisted for decades, frequently playing out in public view and across social media platforms.
Earlier this year, O'Donnell declared her intention never to live in the United States again after Trump's reelection. She moved to Ireland permanently in January following the loss of her Malibu home to wildfires. While O'Donnell is reportedly seeking Irish citizenship, she has not renounced her U.S. citizenship.
Legal experts have weighed in, noting that under the 14th Amendment, stripping a person of their U.S. citizenship is a measure reserved for extreme cases, such as treason or aiding terrorists. Despite this, Trump's recent statements have reignited the debate and caused a stir in media and political circles.
Critics of O'Donnell argue that her repeated controversial statements have made her a prime target for Trump's ridicule. The White House has yet to clarify the grounds on which Trump might proceed with such an action, but aides indicate that the President views O'Donnell's actions as irresponsible and harmful. According to one senior official, "He takes the matter very seriously."
In a recent interview with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation, O'Donnell confessed that Trump's presidency has greatly affected her, leading to depression and unhealthy coping mechanisms. Despite being 63, O'Donnell remains engaged in a verbal battle with Trump, who shows no signs of relenting.
This ongoing saga between Trump and O'Donnell is emblematic of the polarized political climate in the United States. The back-and-forth has captivated both supporters and detractors, with each new development fueling discussions about free speech, the role of public figures in political discourse, and the legal boundaries of presidential power.
