In a development that blurs the lines between political commentary and personal vendetta, former US President Donald Trump has bizarrely suggested offering American citizenship to his long-time foe, comedian Rosie O'Donnell. The extraordinary proposition came amidst a wider, rambling online tirade concerning the client list of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The incendiary comments were unleashed on Trump's own social media platform, Truth Social, where he frequently airs grievances and opinions. Turning his focus to Epstein, a topic shrouded in conspiracy and intrigue, Trump's statements quickly veered into deeply personal territory.
A Strange Proposition
Specifically targeting O'Donnell, with whom he has shared a very public and acrimonious feud for nearly two decades, Trump wrote: "Wouldn't that be a beauty? Rosie O'Donnell, I'll get you to be a citizen of this country. I'll make you a citizen. You know why? Because I'd like to have you in the country because I will demand that you show up in court for the Epstein list."
This odd offer implies O'Donnell, an American citizen by birth, is not currently one and suggests a bewildering misuse of presidential power he no longer holds.
Context of a Feud
The animosity between Trump and O'Donnell is legendary, dating back to her critiques of him on The View and his subsequent insults about her appearance and intelligence. This latest volley is perhaps one of the most surreal chapters in their ongoing war of words, leveraging a serious criminal case for what appears to be personal point-scoring.
Trump's post also repeated his assertion that he knew nothing about Epstein's activities, despite having been photographed with him at social events in the past. He claimed, "I haven't been involved with him for years, and years, and years—almost two decades."
The Wider Implications
Legal experts were quick to point out the sheer absurdity of the statement. A former president cannot unilaterally grant or revoke citizenship, a process governed by strict federal laws and procedures. The remarks have been widely interpreted as another example of Trump's tendency to use sensationalist and inflammatory rhetoric, often overshadowing the gravity of the subject matter at hand.
The post has since ignited a firestorm on social media, with users expressing a mixture of bewilderment, outrage, and mockery. It remains a stark example of how Trump continues to dominate news cycles with his unfiltered and unconventional communication style.
