Trump Threatens TV Host Rosie O'donnell With Citizenship Revocation Over Texas Flood Criticism

The U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked strong backlash after threatening to revoke the citizenship of prominent TV host Rosie O'Donnell, following her public criticism of his administration's response to the devastating Texas floods.

The controversy began when O'Donnell, in a widely shared video, condemned Trump for slashing funding to environmental and meteorological agencies-institutions responsible for forecasting natural disasters. She voiced sorrow over the death of 119 people, including dozens of children, in the flash floods that struck Texas on July 4th, catching residents off guard in the early morning hours.

In response, Trump posted on his platform Truth Social, stating:

“Because Rosie O'Donnell is not acting in the best interest of our great country, I am seriously considering revoking her citizenship. She is a threat to humanity and should stay in Ireland-if they'll take her. God bless America!”

Trump's remarks were quickly denounced by legal experts and civil liberties groups, who pointed out that a U.S. president cannot unilaterally strip a person of their citizenship-especially one born on American soil, as O'Donnell was in New York.

Rosie O'Donnell, a long-time critic of Trump, relocated to Ireland earlier in 2025 with her 12-year-old son. In a March TikTok video, she stated that she would return to the United States only when“equal rights for all citizens” are restored.

Trump's threat has been widely interpreted as retaliation for political dissent, with critics accusing him of using authoritarian rhetoric. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called the comments“a dangerous violation of democratic norms.”

The Texas floods, which occurred during Independence Day celebrations, overwhelmed infrastructure and communities. Emergency services were reportedly under-equipped, due in part to past federal budget cuts to the National Weather Service and disaster preparedness agencies during Trump's first term.

While visiting the flood-hit areas, Trump defended his government's handling of the disaster, saying,“Under these circumstances, our agencies did an extraordinary job.” Still, many remain unconvinced, with survivors and activists pointing to inadequate early warnings and poor coordination.

Legal scholars and human rights advocates warn that weaponizing citizenship status against critics sets a deeply troubling precedent. Free speech and freedom of the press, they argue, must be upheld, even when dissent is sharp.

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