Rosie O’Donnell has made a discreet return to the United States to assess the safety of her citizenship status following threats from former President Donald Trump. During a recent appearance on “SiriusXM’s Cuomo Mornings,” O’Donnell revealed that she spent two weeks in her home country, visiting family and evaluating her situation.
“I wanted to see how hard it would be for me to get in and out of the country,” O’Donnell shared with host Chris Cuomo. She expressed her desire to reconnect with her children after being away for over a year. The comedian, who relocated to Ireland in January 2025 with her youngest child, Clay, 13, also mentioned her intention to ensure it was safe to bring her daughter back to the United States for the summer.
O’Donnell described her experience upon returning as encountering “a very different country,” noting that she had not been following the news during her time away. “I’ve been in a place where celebrity worship does not exist,” she said, emphasizing that life in Ireland provided her with “more balance.” She stated, “I don’t regret leaving at all,” asserting that her decision was necessary for her mental health and her family’s wellbeing.
The comedian’s visit was prompted by a series of public threats from Trump, who in July 2025 used his Truth Social platform to suggest he might revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship. “Because of the fact that Rosie O’Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship,” Trump wrote. He labelled her a “Threat to Humanity,” suggesting she should remain in Ireland if that is where she prefers to be.
In response, O’Donnell took to social media to voice her opposition to Trump’s comments. She referred to him as a “criminal con man” and a “sexual abusing liar” in an Instagram post, emphasizing her commitment to opposing what she termed his “evil tendencies.” She concluded her post with the hashtag #NeverTrump, further expressing her disdain for Trump’s leadership.
In a fiery TikTok video, O’Donnell reaffirmed her commitment to her American citizenship. “I will never renounce my American citizenship,” she declared, indicating her plans to obtain dual citizenship with Ireland. Her sentiments reflect a broader concern regarding the powers afforded to political leaders in the current climate, particularly relating to citizenship rights.
Describing the atmosphere she felt during her visit as “scary,” O’Donnell highlighted a sense of unease in the country. “There’s a feeling that something is really wrong, and no one is doing anything about it,” she noted, capturing the tension that permeates current political discourse.
As she navigates the complexities of her situation, O’Donnell remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Her experiences underscore the challenges faced by public figures in the current socio-political landscape, where personal safety and rights are increasingly scrutinized. The ongoing feud between O’Donnell and Trump continues to resonate, as both figures embody the polarized sentiments present in contemporary American society.
