Trump Leveled A Baffling Threat At Rosie O’Donnell — Experts Explain Why It’s Truly Terrifying
President Trump recently made headlines with a troubling statement about comedian Rosie O’Donnell, suggesting he was thinking about taking away her U.S. citizenship. This has alarmed legal and political experts, who say it reflects a dangerous mindset about presidential power.
Trump made the comment on his social media platform, Truth Social, claiming O’Donnell is “not in the best interests of our Great Country” and calling her a “threat to humanity.” He said she should stay in Ireland, where she moved in January 2025. The statement followed a video O’Donnell posted criticizing Trump’s behavior, his mental state, and the direction of the country under his leadership.
O’Donnell responded fiercely online, saying she moved abroad because she believes Trump is a “criminal con man” harming the country for his own benefit. Their public feud is long-running, dating back nearly 20 years to when O’Donnell mocked Trump during a scandal involving the Miss USA pageant.
Legal scholars were quick to point out that Trump has no authority to strip someone of their citizenship. Rosie O’Donnell was born in the U.S., and the 14th Amendment of the Constitution clearly states that anyone born in the country is a citizen. Northwestern University law professor Paul Gowder called Trump’s comment “unadulterated dictator behavior” and “terrifying.” He said it’s not just about O’Donnell—it reveals a deeper problem with how Trump views American citizenship and power.
Gowder emphasized that citizenship is a fundamental right, not something a president can take away just because someone speaks out against him. He pointed to a Supreme Court case from 1967 that confirmed U.S. citizens can only lose their citizenship if they give it up themselves—not because a government official decides it.
He warned that Trump’s threat sounds like something out of an authoritarian regime, not a democracy. Comparing it to tactics used in Nazi Germany, Gowder said the ability to define who “deserves” citizenship is a tool used by oppressive governments to control and silence people.
Political science expert Jacob Neiheisel also found Trump’s comments disturbing, saying it’s deeply troubling that simply criticizing the president could be seen as a reason to lose your citizenship. He believes Trump’s words show a desire to use government power to punish critics and settle personal grudges—something that’s not only undemocratic but dangerous.
Both experts stress that we shouldn’t treat this kind of behavior as normal. Threatening citizenship over personal disagreements is a serious threat to American democracy. They argue that holding public office means respecting the Constitution, not using power for revenge or silencing dissent.
