Trump Revives Decades-Long Feud with Rosie O’Donnell, Suggests Stripping Citizenship
A long-simmering and often vitriolic dispute between former President Donald Trump and comedian Rosie O’Donnell reignited in July, escalating to the point where Trump publicly considered revoking O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship. The renewed conflict underscores the enduring personal animosity that has characterized Trump’s public persona and raises questions about the limits of presidential rhetoric.
The Roots of the Conflict
The Trump-O’Donnell feud dates back to 2006, originating with O’Donnell’s criticism of Trump’s comments regarding the winner of the Miss USA beauty pageant. This initial disagreement quickly spiraled into a protracted and increasingly personal exchange of insults. Trump frequently labeled O’Donnell a “loser” and used derogatory language, while O’Donnell retorted by comparing Trump to a “snake oil seller.”
The conflict lay relatively dormant during Trump’s initial foray into politics but resurfaced with intensity as he ascended to the presidency. O’Donnell, a 12-time Emmy Award winner and prominent LGBTQ+ community activist, consistently voiced her opposition to Trump’s policies, including a recent critique of a significant tax relief plan enacted by the GOP.
Escalating Rhetoric and Legal Challenges
On July 12, Trump took to social media to denounce O’Donnell as “one threat to humanity” following another round of criticism from the comedian. He then went further, stating he was “taking the serious considerationIdea of removing citizenship” due to O’Donnell allegedly not being “in the interest of our great country.”
This suggestion immediately drew scrutiny, as a decades-old Supreme Court ruling explicitly prohibits the government from revoking citizenship. Despite this legal precedent, Trump doubled down, referencing O’Donnell’s recent relocation to Ireland and stating, “He should stay there. They want it…”
O’Donnell’s Response and Broader Implications
O’Donnell responded with a defiant statement, asserting that Trump has “lived without rent in your brain” for 18 years. She characterized his attacks as stemming from fear of “a noisy woman, a queer woman, a mother who tells the truth, a American who left from your country, to which you have set fire.”
The exchange highlights a pattern of Trump targeting individuals who publicly criticize him, often employing inflammatory language. This latest episode raises concerns about the potential for such rhetoric to incite harassment or violence and underscores the importance of holding public figures accountable for their words. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the deep divisions within American society and the challenges of navigating political discourse in an increasingly polarized environment.
