Washington, D.C. – Rosie O’Donnell sharply rebuked President Donald Trump on Friday, during an appearance on “The Jim Acosta Show,” after he reignited their decades-long feud by posting on Truth Social that he was “giving serious thought to taking away Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship” because she is “not a Great American” and “incapable of being so.”
The post, accompanied by a distorted photo of O’Donnell’s face, prompted her to accuse Trump of using her as a distraction from his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, especially after Epstein survivors’ press conference on Capitol Hill the previous day.
The exchange, marked by O’Donnell’s claim that Trump is “deranged” and Trump’s dismissal of the Epstein saga as a “Democrat HOAX,” shows their ongoing conflict and broader tensions over transparency and accountability.
O’Donnell’s Defiant Response
Appearing on CNN’s “The Jim Acosta Show” on September 5, O’Donnell described Trump as “a cornered rat” who “doesn’t know where to go or what to do,” resorting to his “bag of tricks” by targeting her.
“He goes, ‘Let’s make fun of Rosie O’Donnell and threaten her,’ even though he’s threatened me before and never done anything,” she said, referencing past threats to sue her and have “thugs” target her wife. O’Donnell, who moved to Ireland with her youngest child, Clay, in January after Trump’s re-election, emphasized his pattern of intimidation, stating, “He is deranged.”
O’Donnell tied Trump’s post to the Epstein files, noting it came one day after survivors, joined by lawmakers like Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), spoke on Capitol Hill on September 4, demanding the release of all Epstein documents.
“It’s unbelievable how obvious he is about everything that he does,” she said, suggesting the post was a deliberate diversion. “Could you say I’m guilty without saying I’m guilty more than having a flyover during their press conference? As if he’s going to hold the tide?” She declared, “Time is up” for Trump, asserting, “He knows it.”
Turning to the Epstein victims, O’Donnell, referencing Trump’s 2023 sexual abuse liability in the E. Jean Carroll case, said, “America will not stand for someone like Trump—who was found liable for sexual abuse—dismissing the victims of Epstein.” She called the saga “bigger than Watergate,” adding, “This makes Watergate look like a joke! The fact he would say Rosie O’Donnell is not a good American, she never can be. Well, I don’t think you’re a good American if you did what you did, Donald Trump!”
Trump’s Post and Epstein Denial
Trump’s Truth Social post, included a distorted image of O’Donnell and stated, “As previously mentioned, we are giving serious thought to taking away Rosie O’Donnell’s Citizenship. She is not a Great American and is, in my opinion, incapable of being so!” The post echoed a July threat where he called her a “Threat to Humanity” and suggested she remain in Ireland. Legal experts, including UCLA’s Eugene Volokh, note that revoking O’Donnell’s citizenship, as a U.S.-born citizen, is unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.
On the same day, Trump dismissed the Epstein case as a “Democrat HOAX” during Oval Office remarks, claiming the Justice Department “has done its job,” despite bipartisan pressure for full disclosure. The House Oversight Committee released over 30,000 pages of Epstein-related documents on September 2, but Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) noted only 3% contained new information.
A bipartisan bill, Eliseo’s Law, seeks to mandate full release, with survivors like Lisa Phillips vowing to compile their own list of Epstein associates.
Trump–O’Donnell Feud Is Rooted in History
The Trump-O’Donnell feud, spanning nearly two decades, began in 2006 when O’Donnell criticized Trump’s handling of the Miss USA pageant on The View, calling him a “snake-oil salesman.” Trump retaliated with insults, labeling her a “slob” and “loser” during a 2016 debate.
His citizenship threats escalated in July 2025, prompting O’Donnell to post a photo of Trump with Epstein, captioned, “18 years later and I still live rent-free in that collapsing brain of yours.” Her move to Ireland, where she is seeking citizenship due to her grandparents’ heritage, reflects her response to Trump’s re-election.
On X, reactions split sharply. Supporters like @Maga4Trump cheered the president, calling O’Donnell “un-American,” while critics, including @BlueWave2026, praised her for “calling out Trump’s distraction tactics.” Hashtags like #EpsteinFiles and #RosieVsTrump trended.
O’Donnell’s Instagram post of Trump’s threat, captioned “Banishing me again? Logan Roy would be proud. EPSTEIN SURVIVORS are the reckoning,” garnered over 26,000 likes.
Critics, like Rep. Garcia, accused Trump of dodging accountability, while supporters, per @PatriotVoiceUSA on X, dismissed the Epstein push as a “leftist smear.” The controversy ties to broader Trump challenges, including health rumors over swollen ankles and a “Department of WAR” post targeting Chicago yesterday.
Why It Matters
The feud unfolds amid Trump’s struggles with 2024 campaign promises, including economic recovery and Epstein file transparency. The August jobs report, showing only 22,000 jobs added, has intensified scrutiny, with Trump deflecting blame. His push to ban mail-in ballots and rename the Department of Defense further fuels perceptions of distraction, as does a $10 billion defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal.
The Epstein files, with over 30,000 pages released but heavily redacted, remain a flashpoint, with survivors and lawmakers demanding clarity.
Legal barriers, including a July injunction against Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, limit his ability to act on citizenship threats. O’Donnell’s outspokenness, amplified by her Ireland move, positions her as a prominent critic, potentially galvanizing opposition as the 2026 midterms near.
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What Next?
As bipartisan pressure for Epstein file transparency grows, Trump’s attacks on O’Donnell may backfire, drawing attention to his administration’s reluctance to release unredacted documents.
The feud, rooted in personal animosity, shows broader debates over accountability and governance. With Chicago bracing for federal overreach and economic concerns mounting, O’Donnell’s defiance and the Epstein saga will likely remain focal points, shaping public discourse and political strategies leading into 2026.
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