Ellen DeGeneres broke her typical silence on political matters Sunday to publicly support Rosie O’Donnell after President Donald Trump threatened to revoke the comedian’s U.S. citizenship. The former talk show host posted a simple message on Instagram: “Good for you, Rosie.”
DeGeneres’ show of support came after Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday, July 12, declaring he was giving serious consideration to taking away O’Donnell’s citizenship. The President labeled O’Donnell a threat to humanity and suggested she should remain in Ireland, where she currently resides with her 12-year-old child.
O’Donnell responded fiercely to Trump’s threat, posting multiple messages on social media. She characterized Trump as everything he fears: a loud woman, a queer woman, and a mother who tells the truth. The comedian also referenced the President as King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan, alluding to the authoritarian character from “Game of Thrones.”
The exchange reignited a decades-long feud between Trump and O’Donnell. The comedian drew Trump’s ire last weekend after posting a TikTok video criticizing the administration’s response to devastating floods in central Texas. She blamed budget cuts to weather-forecasting agencies for the deadly July 4 floods.
O’Donnell, a New York native, moved to Ireland on January 15 with her child, just days before Trump’s inauguration. She revealed in March that she was in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship through her Irish grandparents. The comedian explained her decision was motivated by concerns about equal rights for all citizens under the Trump administration.
In her response to Trump’s citizenship threat, O’Donnell emphasized her commitment to building a life for her autistic child in a country where decency still exists. She contrasted her approach with Trump’s policies, stating she teaches her children to question power while he craves loyalty. The comedian also shared a photo of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein alongside her statement.
DeGeneres’ support for O’Donnell is particularly notable given their complicated relationship spanning more than two decades. The two comedians and talk show hosts experienced a falling-out in 2004 after DeGeneres told Larry King that she didn’t really know O’Donnell and they weren’t friends. O’Donnell later expressed hurt over the comment, especially since she considered them friends in the 1990s.
Both women came out as lesbians in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with DeGeneres making her revelation in “The Puppy Episode” of her sitcom “Ellen” in April 1997. O’Donnell had supported DeGeneres during that time, appearing on her daytime talk show and participating in memorable interviews where they joked about being “Lebanese” instead of lesbian.
Despite their past differences, O’Donnell indicated in recent interviews that she wishes DeGeneres well. In April 2024, she told reporters that while they are very different people with unresolved issues from the past, she seriously wishes her the best. O’Donnell expressed surprise that DeGeneres had moved to England following Trump’s election, noting she had never known DeGeneres to make political statements.
DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi relocated to the English countryside in November 2024, reportedly in response to Trump’s election victory. The couple has been sharing updates about their new life abroad, with DeGeneres posting photos of their rural surroundings and expressing happiness about their decision to move.
Legal experts note that Trump lacks the constitutional authority to strip O’Donnell of her citizenship. The 14th Amendment protects citizenship for all people born on U.S. soil, and current law prevents Americans from losing their citizenship status even if they obtain citizenship elsewhere. However, Trump has attempted to end birthright citizenship through executive orders, though courts have blocked these efforts.
O’Donnell’s move to Ireland reflects her long-standing opposition to Trump’s policies. She has been a vocal critic of the administration and expressed concerns about the political climate in America. The comedian described her new home as welcoming, with people who are loving, kind, and accepting.
Celebrity support for O’Donnell extended beyond DeGeneres, with Kathy Griffin and Margaret Cho also commenting positively on her response to Trump’s threats. The exchange highlights the ongoing tensions between the administration and Hollywood figures who have been critical of Trump’s policies.
The feud between Trump and O’Donnell dates back nearly two decades, with both figures exchanging public barbs over the years. O’Donnell’s latest response emphasized her refusal to be silenced, stating she was never Trump’s to control and would continue to oppose what she views as his harmful policies.
