Rosie O'Donnell told listeners of the Good Hang podcast hosted by Amy Poehler that former U.S. president Donald Trump has unintentionally made her famous again. The veteran entertainer said she felt "re‑famous" after Trump's recent comments about stripping her citizenship.
Trump's citizenship threat
During a segment in which the two comedians watched clips of Trump appearing to close his eyes at public events, O'Donnell said the former president's remarks had thrust her back into the spotlight. She suggested that if Trump understood the impact on her career he would stop "talking about me".
In July 2025 O'Donnell posted a video on the social platform TikTok that shifted from a discussion of Wimbledon to criticism of Trump's handling of floods in Texas. The following day Trump responded on his Truth Social account, saying he was giving "serious consideration" to revoking O'Donnell's U.S. citizenship, describing her as "not in the best interests of our Great Country".
O'Donnell's response and move to Ireland
O'Donnell shared Trump's post on Instagram, calling him a "criminal con man" and reiterating that she had moved to Ireland after the 2024 U.S. election. She said she was pursuing Irish citizenship through her grandparents and that she would consider returning to the United States only when "all citizens have equal rights".
In a July interview with Variety, O'Donnell explained that the feud dates back to their shared New York upbringing and that she believes she "triggers" Trump. She described the former president's speech patterns as "incomprehensible" and suggested his reaction to her criticism is rooted in personal insecurity.
Implications for Canadians
While the dispute is largely personal, it highlights how former heads of state may use citizenship threats as a political weapon. Canada's own citizenship laws allow revocation in limited circumstances, a fact that may prompt discussion among Canadian policymakers about the balance between national security and civil liberties.
The episode also underscores the role of social‑media platforms in amplifying political conflicts, a dynamic that Canadian regulators continue to monitor as part of broader digital policy initiatives.
Based on reporting by Global News.