Trump vs. O’Donnell: A Transatlantic Grudge With Political Undertones?
What happens when a personal feud stretches across decades, borders, and presidential terms? This week, former U.S. President Donald Trump reignited his long-standing battle with comedian Rosie O’Donnell, unleashing a tirade on Truth Social that has many wondering: is this more than just another round of name-calling?
Trump’s latest jab wasn’t just personal—it hinted at something far more drastic.
A Presidential Swipe with Global Echoes
On July 12, Trump, now 79, took to his platform Truth Social to vent about O’Donnell, who recently relocated to Ireland. In an incendiary post, he wrote:
“Since Rosie O’Donnell clearly does not represent the values of our Great Country, I’m strongly considering revoking her citizenship. She is a Threat to Humanity and should stay in the beautiful country of Ireland—if they’ll take her. GOD BLESS AMERICA!”
The statement, equal parts hyperbole and hostility, came shortly after O’Donnell cited Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025 as the moment she decided to leave the United States for good.
From Daytime TV to Deep-Rooted Discord
Their feud began in 2006 when O’Donnell, then a co-host on The View, criticized Trump’s handling of the Miss USA scandal and mocked his character. Her comment:
“He reminds me of a snake-oil salesman from Little House On The Prairie,”
…set off a chain reaction that’s continued nearly uninterrupted ever since.
Trump, never one to let an insult slide, responded by branding her “a total loser” and threatening legal action. Over the years, the insults snowballed—often cruelly personal and public—fueling headlines and deepening animosity.
Rosie’s Reprieve—But Not Quite
Now 63 and residing in Ireland, O’Donnell hoped to leave the vitriol behind. But Trump’s rhetoric has followed her overseas. Even when jokingly asked by a reporter why Ireland accepted O’Donnell, Trump couldn’t resist a dig:
“Do you even know who she is? You’re better off not finding out.”
O’Donnell, meanwhile, has described the prolonged feud as “psychologically scarring,” noting in interviews how the relentless bullying from one of the world’s most powerful men took an emotional toll:
“It was worse than anything I experienced as a kid. It was public, unrelenting, and somehow… tolerated.”
More Than Just Bad Blood?
While their public spat has often been dismissed as tabloid fodder, some observers suggest Trump’s most recent statement may have political intent. Revoking someone’s citizenship—a move without legal grounding in this context—isn’t just rhetorical flair. It flirts with authoritarian overreach, tapping into Trump’s “America First” base and reinforcing his image as the ultimate culture warrior.
By resurrecting the O’Donnell feud now, Trump could be aiming to deflect from more pressing controversies or to reenergize his supporters with a familiar target.
An Ugly Legacy That Refuses to Fade
Nearly 20 years after it began, this celebrity-politician clash is no longer just personal—it’s become cultural shorthand for polarized politics and public cruelty. As Rosie settles into life in Ireland and Trump barrels ahead in his post-presidential ambitions, their bizarrely persistent feud serves as a case study in how personal grudges can become political theater.
The question now isn’t whether they’ll ever reconcile—it’s how much more damage this battle will inflict as both figures continue to shape headlines from opposite sides of the Atlantic.