Comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell has reacted to Donald Trump’s threat to revoke her U.S. citizenship, marking the newest development in a multi-year ongoing dispute between the two New York-born former television personalities.
Taking to her , hours following Trump’s threat, O’Donnell uploaded an image of the U.S. President with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump had socialized with Epstein decades prior and is now entangled in an intense public discussion, as individuals call for his administration to disclose the complete Epstein files, a step he seemed prepared to take during his campaign.
Captioning the impactful image, O’Donnell, who currently resides in Ireland and is pursuing Irish citizenship via her grandparents’ heritage, stated: “I embody all you fear. A vocal woman, a queer woman, a mother who speaks truthfully, an American who left the country before you ignited it. You represent all that is flawed with America—and I represent everything you detest about what remains right with it.”
“You wish to revoke my citizenship? Proceed and attempt it, King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan,” O’Donnell concluded, alluding to the malevolent young monarch from the popular HBO program Game of Thrones.
O’Donnell offered additional remarks during an appearance on the show on Ireland’s RTÉ Radio 1.
“I responded with a brief post that I composed in five minutes, and it has garnered significant online attention,” she stated, reinforcing her reaction to Trump’s threat. “I am immensely proud to stand against every single thing he articulates, performs, and embodies.”
On Saturday, Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he was giving “serious consideration” to divesting O’Donnell of her citizenship, alleging she “is not in the best interests” of the U.S.
“She poses a threat to humanity and ought to stay in the splendid nation of Ireland, should they desire her,” the U.S. President remarked.
Trump’s warning coincides with his Administration’s ongoing efforts to reverse birthright citizenship legislation. On Thursday, a federal judge imposed a [legal restriction] on Trump’s order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.
Experts argue that, under the Fourteenth Amendment, the U.S. government lacks the authority to revoke the citizenship of a native-born U.S. citizen.
Just recently, Donald Trump also threatened to revoke the U.S. citizenship of his former ally and current prominent critic, Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa, and the Democratic New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, who was born in Uganda. Nonetheless, his threat toward O’Donnell holds particular significance, given the long-standing difficult history between the two.
O’Donnell made statements in relation to a press conference he appeared in for the Miss USA contest, which he co-owned at the time.
Concurrently, Trump lashed out in an episode of The Apprentice at a boardroom meeting, during which he [made specific remarks] multiple times.
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump referenced the comedian. In a debate with his opponent, Hillary Clinton, he stated: “Rosie O’Donnell—I said very tough things to her, and I think everybody would agree that she deserves it and nobody feels sorry for her.”
O’Donnell responded at the time, stating in one post that Trump “will never be President,” and in another, labeling him an “orange an-s.”
Meanwhile, O’Donnell’s decision to share an image of Trump and Epstein is particularly timely. On Saturday night, [an entity/person] faced criticism for not fully releasing the Epstein files. There have long been appeals to see a so-called “client list” supposedly belonging to Epstein. (Bondi’s previous release of some files [was insubstantial] and offered the public little new information.)
“What is happening with my ‘boys’ and, in some instances, ‘gals’? They are all targeting Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is performing a SUPERB JOB! We are on a single team, MAGA, and I am displeased with the current situation. We possess a FLAWLESS Administration, THE CONVERSATION OF THE WORLD, and ‘self-centered individuals’ are attempting to undermine it, all concerning a man who never disappears, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it’s been Epstein, repeatedly,” Trump stated, encouraging people to shift away from the subject.
“A year ago, our nation was stagnant; now, it is the most vibrant country globally. Let us maintain that status, and not expend time and effort on Jeffrey Epstein, an individual no one is concerned about.”
Trump’s commentary emerges amidst public disapproval over the release of a [document or statement], from an entity who conducted a review of the Epstein investigation. According to [an unspecified source], their findings concluded there is no evidence Epstein kept a “client list” or was murdered. It also stated that “no credible evidence was found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions.”
Trump’s observations about Epstein have drawn considerable interest, particularly since [an individual or source] claimed that Trump is listed in the files related to the late financier and alleged sex trafficker. “[That is the true reason they have not been made public],” [a statement was made] in early June. He presented no evidence concerning this.
Trump’s connection to Epstein [has an unspecified context]. In a 2002 interview with [an unspecified source], he said that Epstein was “a lot of fun to be with.”
“It is even purported that he appreciates beautiful women as much as I do, and a significant number of them are younger,” Trump informed the reporter.
In July 2019, NBC News’ TODAY program released [unspecified media] believed to originate from 1992, which depicted Trump hosting Epstein at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Following Epstein’s 2019 arrest on federal charges of sex trafficking, Trump endeavored to disassociate himself.
Speaking in the Oval Office in 2019, Donald Trump stated: “I had a falling out with him [Epstein]. I haven’t spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you.”
