Wait, can he actually do that? That was the question on everyone's lips back in July 2025 when President Trump fired off a Truth Social post about Rosie O’Donnell. He didn't just call her a "threat to humanity." He claimed he was giving "serious consideration" to taking away her citizenship.
Honestly, the internet basically broke for a minute. People were terrified, others were cheering, and most were just confused. You've probably seen the headlines, but the legal reality is a lot less "Wild West" than a social media post makes it seem.
The short answer? No. He can't.
But why? And why does he keep saying he can? Let's get into the weeds of why can Trump revoke Rosie O'Donnell's citizenship is a question with a very firm constitutional "no" attached to it.
The Birthright Shield: Why Rosie is Safe
Rosie O’Donnell was born in Commack, New York, on March 21, 1962. That single fact is her ultimate legal armor. Because she’s a natural-born citizen, she falls under the heavy-duty protection of the 14th Amendment.
Specifically, the Citizenship Clause. It says: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."
Back in 1967, the Supreme Court took a look at this in a case called Afroyim v. Rusk. They basically said the government doesn't have a "general power" to rob an American of their citizenship. Justice Hugo Black wrote that citizenship is meant to be "permanent and secure." It’s not a gift from the President that can be taken back because of a feud that started on The View in 2006.
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Breaking Down the Legal Precedents
- Afroyim v. Rusk (1967): Established that the government cannot strip citizenship involuntarily.
- Vance v. Terrazas (1980): Clarified that the government has to prove you intended to give up your citizenship. It’s not enough to just do something "un-American."
- United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898): Confirmed that birth on U.S. soil is the gold standard for citizenship, regardless of who your parents are.
The Ireland Move and the "Exile" Narrative
When Trump won in 2024, Rosie didn't wait around. She moved to Ireland with her son in January 2025. She's been open about it, telling people on TikTok it was a "self-imposed political exile."
Since her grandparents were from County Donegal, she’s eligible for Irish citizenship. She’s actually in the process of getting it. But here’s the kicker: getting Irish citizenship doesn't mean she loses her American one. The U.S. allows dual citizenship.
Trump’s posts suggested she should just "remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland." He sort of framed it like she’d abandoned the U.S., so she shouldn't be a citizen anymore. Legally? That holds about as much water as a sieve.
Moving to another country, even if you’re vocal about hating the current administration, isn't a "relinquishing act." You have to formally go to a U.S. embassy or consulate and sign a very specific piece of paper saying, "I renounce my citizenship." Rosie has explicitly said, "I will never renounce my American citizenship."
Can Anyone Ever Lose Their Citizenship?
Okay, so Rosie is safe because she was born here. But what about everyone else?
There is a process called denaturalization, but it’s specifically for naturalized citizens—people who moved here and earned their citizenship later. Even then, it’s not something a President can do with a signature.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) has to prove you committed fraud or lied on your application. We’re talking big lies, like hiding a history of war crimes or membership in a terrorist organization. In June 2025, the DOJ did issue a memo making denaturalization a priority, but it targeted people with criminal histories or identity theft.
It did not target people for having "bad" political opinions.
Why Natural-Born Citizens Are Different
If you’re born here, you are basically untouchable regarding your status. The only way you lose it is if you want to. Even if you join a foreign military or take a government job in another country, the Supreme Court has ruled the government must prove you intended to lose your U.S. nationality by doing those things.
Being a "bad American" or not being "in the best interests of our Great Country"—to use Trump's words—isn't a legal category.
The Political Theater vs. Legal Reality
So if the law is so clear, why the threats?
Trump has often used the "bully pulpit" to challenge established legal norms. By talking about revoking citizenship, he’s speaking to his base about national identity and loyalty. It's more of a cultural statement than a legal brief.
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He’s also challenged birthright citizenship itself through executive orders, like the one from early 2025 (EO 14160) that tried to deny citizenship to children of undocumented parents. Legal experts, including those from the Brennan Center, have called these moves unconstitutional. They’re currently tied up in federal courts, like the class-action suit in New Hampshire.
But even those radical changes wouldn't affect someone like Rosie, who was born to U.S. citizens on U.S. soil.
What This Means for You
If you're worried about the government coming for your passport because of a tweet or a political stance, take a breath. The 14th Amendment is a massive, heavy door that is very hard to kick down.
Here are the concrete takeaways:
- Birthplace is King: If you were born in the U.S., the President cannot unilaterally take your citizenship. Period.
- Speech is Protected: Disagreeing with an administration, even loudly and famously, is protected by the 1st Amendment and doesn't affect your 14th Amendment rights.
- Dual Citizenship is Fine: You can hold an Irish (or any other) passport and still be a "proud citizen of the United States," as Rosie puts it.
- Watch the Courts: While the rhetoric is loud, the real changes to citizenship law happen in the Supreme Court, not on Truth Social.
The feud between the "Queen of Nice" and the former reality star-turned-President is probably going to continue for another decade. It’s a drama that spans from 2006 to 2026. But as far as the law is concerned, Rosie O’Donnell is as American as she was the day she was born in New York.
Next Steps for Staying Informed:
Check the status of current 14th Amendment challenges in the federal court system. You can follow the "birthright citizenship" class-action lawsuits currently moving through the New Hampshire district courts to see if the legal definition of "subject to the jurisdiction" is actually shifting.