In a provocative move that has reignited a decades-long feud, President Donald Trump announced on September 4, 2025, via Truth Social that he is “giving serious thought” to revoking the U.S. citizenship of comedian Rosie O’Donnell, claiming she is “not a Great American” and “incapable of being so.” This threat, though legally untenable due to the 14th Amendment’s protection of birthright citizenship for U.S.-born citizens like O’Donnell, marks an escalation in Trump’s pattern of targeting critics with inflammatory rhetoric. The announcement follows O’Donnell’s recent social media criticisms from Ireland, where she relocated after Trump’s 2024 reelection, citing his policies and cuts to weather forecasting agencies as contributing to disasters like the Texas floods. Her outspoken opposition, including calling Trump a “criminal con man” and posting a photo of him with Jeffrey Epstein, has clearly provoked this latest salvo, amplifying their public spat that dates back to 2006.

Ironically, Trump’s ongoing feud with O’Donnell may have played a pivotal role in his political rise, particularly during the 2015 Republican primary debate hosted by Fox News. When moderator Megyn Kelly challenged Trump on his derogatory language toward women, calling them “fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals,” Trump quipped, “Only Rosie O’Donnell,” eliciting laughter and cementing his image as a brash, unapologetic outsider. This moment, widely covered and celebrated by his base, arguably galvanized his campaign by showcasing his ability to deflect criticism with humor and dominate the media cycle. Political analysts suggest this exchange helped Trump stand out in a crowded field, resonating with voters who admired his defiance of political correctness and propelling him toward the presidency. The O’Donnell jab became a cultural touchstone, highlighting his knack for turning personal feuds into political capital.

The current citizenship threat, however, underscores the risks of Trump’s penchant for personal vendettas, as it lacks legal grounding and distracts from pressing national issues. Legal experts, including University of Virginia law professor Amanda Frost, emphasize that the 14th Amendment and a 1967 Supreme Court ruling prevent the government from revoking native-born citizenship without consent, rendering Trump’s threat symbolic at best. O’Donnell’s response, doubling down with insults like “King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan,” keeps the feud alive, fueling online buzz that aligns with Dan Scavino’s recent claim that Trump could “break the internet.” While the 2015 debate quip may have helped win him the presidency, this latest escalation risks alienating moderates and reinforcing perceptions of petty authoritarianism, even as it energizes his base. The ongoing Trump-O’Donnell saga remains a spectacle, blending entertainment with political theater, but its impact on governance and public trust remains a contentious question.