Could Trump Revoke Musk, Mamdani and O’Donnell’s Citizenship?/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump has publicly floated the idea of revoking the citizenship of Elon Musk, Zohran Mamdani, and Rosie O’Donnell, igniting legal and political uproar. Experts say these threats hold little legal weight, but reflect a broader strategy to escalate denaturalization efforts. The administration has already launched new DOJ guidelines prioritizing such cases under national security justifications.
Trump Citizenship Threats Quick Looks
- Trump’s Comments: Threatened deportation or denaturalization of Elon Musk, Zohran Mamdani, and Rosie O’Donnell.
- Citizenship Status: Musk and Mamdani are naturalized U.S. citizens; O’Donnell is a natural-born American.
- Legal Reality: U.S. law prohibits stripping natural-born citizens of their status without voluntary renunciation.
- Denaturalization Limits: Only courts can revoke naturalization, and only under strict legal criteria.
- Political Context: The administration is prioritizing denaturalization as part of its immigration enforcement push.
- Critics React: Legal experts call the moves politically motivated and potentially unconstitutional.
- DOJ Memo: New guidelines direct attorneys to identify denaturalization cases, particularly involving “national security threats.”
- Public Statements: Musk, Mamdani, and O’Donnell have all responded defiantly to Trump’s remarks.
- Historical Rarity: Only 100+ denaturalization cases were filed during Trump’s first term despite promises of thousands.
- Chilling Effect: Legal scholars warn this could suppress free speech among naturalized citizens.
Could Trump Revoke Musk, Mamdani and O’Donnell’s Citizenship?
Deep Look
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 18, 2025 — President Donald Trump is again at the center of a legal and constitutional firestorm after publicly musing about stripping the U.S. citizenship of Elon Musk, Zohran Mamdani, and Rosie O’Donnell—three high-profile individuals known for their vocal opposition to his administration.
At the heart of the controversy are comments Trump made in recent weeks, suggesting Musk might be deported, Mamdani arrested, and O’Donnell—an American-born comedian—potentially stripped of her citizenship. The statements, while legally empty in isolation, reflect a broader administration effort to revive and expand denaturalization as a tool of political and legal enforcement.
What Trump Actually Said
When asked if he’d deport tech mogul Elon Musk, Trump said:
“I don’t know, I mean, we’ll have to take a look.”
On Mamdani, the New York mayoral hopeful:
“We’ll have to arrest him… A lot of people are saying he’s here illegally.”
Regarding Rosie O’Donnell, who recently relocated to Ireland and has criticized Trump’s handling of natural disasters, Trump posted:
“I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship.”
O’Donnell was born in New York, rendering her citizenship untouchable under current law unless she renounces it voluntarily.
Can a President Revoke Citizenship?
Legally, no. The process for denaturalization—revoking the citizenship of someone who acquired it through immigration—can only happen through a federal court, and the burden of proof is high.
The two grounds for denaturalization are:
- Illegal procurement of naturalization, or
- Willful misrepresentation or concealment of material facts during the naturalization process.
“Elon Musk and Zohran Mamdani are naturalized citizens, but Trump has no authority to denaturalize them unilaterally,” said Muzaffar Chishti of the Migration Policy Institute. “The government must go through a court and prove its case clearly and convincingly.”
As for natural-born citizens like O’Donnell, legal experts say there’s no mechanism under U.S. law to revoke their status involuntarily.
Why the Sudden Focus?
The Trump administration has reopened a Justice Department initiative from his first term that aims to prioritize denaturalization. A new DOJ memo instructs federal attorneys to identify cases where individuals may have misrepresented themselves during naturalization, especially if they’re considered threats to national security or have committed violent crimes.
Five new denaturalization cases have already been filed under Trump’s renewed leadership, according to DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin, who teased “MORE TO COME” in a social media post.
Critics argue that while these cases may target criminals on paper, the political undertones are hard to ignore—especially given the President’s vocal targeting of political opponents.
Responses from Musk, Mamdani, and O’Donnell
Musk responded cryptically on X: “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”
Mamdani, speaking at a press conference, called Trump’s comments “distractions”: “He said these things less because of who I am and more because of what I fight for.”
O’Donnell, ever unfiltered, posted on Instagram: “Go ahead and try, King Joffrey with a tangerine spray tan. I’m not yours to silence. I never was.”
Chilling Legal and Political Implications
The use of denaturalization as a political weapon is unprecedented in modern U.S. history, says Chishti. “This is a totally different chapter of going after your political enemies… and that’s unfortunate.”
Legal scholars warn that even the threat of denaturalization could silence dissent from naturalized citizens. “It’s the chilling effect that matters,” says attorney Matthew Hoppock, who’s represented clients in denaturalization proceedings.
“Exercising your First Amendment rights shouldn’t make you vulnerable to a citizenship challenge.”
Where Could This Go?
Despite Trump’s fiery rhetoric, few denaturalization cases have succeeded—just over 100 during his first term, despite promises of thousands. The current administration may follow a similar pattern: loud political declarations with minimal legal follow-through.
Still, the symbolic weight of targeting high-profile critics like Musk, Mamdani, and O’Donnell sends a powerful message that citizenship—and dissent—are being politicized in ways the U.S. has rarely seen.
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