On Saturday (12 July), US President Donald Trump said he is considering revoking talk show host Rosie O’Donnell’s US citizenship. This followed her criticism of his administration’s handling of weather forecasting after the deadly floods in Texas. The remarks add to a long-running public dispute between the two.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship.”He also claimed O’Donnell was a “Threat to Humanity” and suggested she stay in Ireland, where she currently lives.
“She should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!” he added.
However, US law does not allow a president to revoke the citizenship of someone born in the country. O’Donnell was born in New York.
Background on O’Donnell and the dispute
O’Donnell has often been a target of Trump’s criticism. Earlier this year, she moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old son. In March, she posted a video on TikTok saying she would return to the US only when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights.
After Trump’s threat, O’Donnell responded on Instagram. She said he opposes her because she stands for everything he does not.
Their feud dates back to 2006. At that time, O’Donnell criticised Trump on The View over a controversy involving the Miss USA pageant, which Trump then owned.
Flooding in Texas and the response
This latest incident seems linked to a TikTok video O’Donnell posted earlier this month. She mourned the 119 deaths caused by the 4 July floods in Texas. She blamed Trump’s cuts to environmental and scientific agencies for weakening disaster response.
“What a horror story in Texas,” she said. “When the president guts all the early warning systems and weather forecasting abilities, these are the results we will see more often.”
State and federal officials have faced growing questions about whether they could have done more to warn people before the floods struck. The sudden flash floods hit in the early hours of Independence Day and killed at least 120 people, including many children.
On Friday, Trump visited Texas. He defended the government’s response, saying:
“Our agencies did an incredible job under the circumstances.”
