Could Trump Strip Citizenship from Elon Musk, Zohran Mamdani or Rosie O’Donnell?

What do the world’s richest man, a prominent political candidate in New York City, and a well-known television personality have in common?

They’ve each become targets of recent remarks from former President Donald Trump, who has raised eyebrows with suggestions that their U.S. citizenship could be reconsidered. Though his statements range in tone from speculative to confrontational, they come amid broader efforts by his administration to revive and expand the legal process known as denaturalization — the revocation of U.S. citizenship.

Here’s what was said, how likely any of this is to become reality, and why legal experts are paying close attention.

What Did Trump Actually Say?

Earlier this month, while speaking to reporters, Trump was asked whether he’d consider deporting Elon Musk. His response: “I don’t know, I mean, we’ll have to take a look.”

He gave a similar answer when asked about Zohran Mamdani — a New York assemblyman and potential mayoral candidate — who has publicly clashed with federal immigration authorities. “We’ll have to arrest him,” Trump said. “We don’t need communists in this country. And if we have one, I’ll be watching him very closely on behalf of the nation.”

Trump went further, claiming “a lot of people” believe Mamdani is in the country illegally — though there’s no evidence to support that claim.

Both Musk and Mamdani are naturalized U.S. citizens. Musk was born in South Africa and became a U.S. citizen in 2002. Mamdani, born in Uganda, became a citizen in 2018.

As for Rosie O’Donnell — the long-time Trump critic and former talk show host — Trump posted to Truth Social: “She is not in the best interests of our Great Country. I’m seriously considering revoking her citizenship.” He labeled her a “threat to humanity,” reigniting a feud that has spanned years.

O’Donnell, born in New York, has recently moved to Ireland with her child and has expressed interest in Irish citizenship, citing her family heritage.

Can a President Actually Revoke Someone’s Citizenship?

The short answer: not unilaterally — and certainly not in most of the cases Trump has mentioned.

Under U.S. law, naturalized citizens can be denaturalized, but only under very specific circumstances, such as:

• Illegally obtaining citizenship

• Knowingly concealing material facts during the naturalization process

Even in those cases, denaturalization can only occur through a federal court process where the government must prove its case with “clear and convincing evidence.” This is a high standard — one usually reserved for cases involving war crimes, fraud, or national security threats.

For individuals like O’Donnell, who was born in the U.S., revoking citizenship is nearly impossible under the Constitution. Legal scholars agree that natural-born citizens cannot lose their citizenship involuntarily. Only voluntary renunciation or death can end that status.

How Have the Targets Responded?

Elon Musk responded in characteristically cryptic fashion on X (formerly Twitter): “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.”

Zohran Mamdani, speaking at a press conference, described the comments as a distraction. “This is not about where I was born or how I speak. This is about silencing voices that challenge power.”

Rosie O’Donnell, never one to hold back, posted to Instagram: “Try me. I’m not yours to silence. Never was.”

What’s Really Behind These Comments?

While the statements from Trump may seem spontaneous, they align with broader patterns in his administration’s approach to immigration and citizenship. During his first term, the Justice Department established an office focused on identifying individuals for denaturalization, particularly those accused of fraud or ties to crime or terrorism.

That office was later dissolved under President Biden. But since Trump’s return to office in 2025, his administration has moved quickly to revive denaturalization efforts.

In fact, a recent internal Justice Department memo instructed federal attorneys to actively prioritize denaturalization cases. The memo identified individuals with criminal histories, suspected gang affiliations, or ties to foreign enemies as primary targets — but critics fear that list could easily be politicized.

Legal Experts Raise Concerns

Immigration attorneys and constitutional scholars warn that using denaturalization as a political weapon could erode public trust in the legal system.

“This is uncharted territory — not in terms of legality, but in terms of motive,” says Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute. “Historically, denaturalization was rare and focused on extreme cases. What we’re seeing now is talk of targeting individuals for political speech.”

Matthew Hoppock, a Kansas-based immigration lawyer, adds: “It’s extremely troubling to hear a president suggest revoking someone’s citizenship for criticism or political dissent. That’s not what our laws were written to allow.”

Even if few cases go to court, legal analysts warn that the threat of denaturalization alone could have a chilling effect.

“When citizens begin worrying that voicing the wrong opinion might trigger an investigation into how they became Americans in the first place, something has gone seriously wrong,” said Cassandra Burke Robertson, a law professor at Case Western Reserve University.

What Could Happen Next?

Although Trump’s remarks stirred headlines, it’s unclear if they signal formal action. Historically, announcements about ramped-up denaturalization have yielded few actual cases. During Trump’s first term, officials projected 1,600 referrals — but just over 100 cases were ultimately filed.

As of July 2025, the Justice Department says five new denaturalization cases have been initiated this year under updated guidelines. No details have been released publicly about the individuals involved.

The department maintains that cases will only move forward “when permitted by law and supported by credible evidence.” But observers remain skeptical.

Why This Matters

Whether or not Musk, Mamdani, or O’Donnell face real legal action, the implications of Trump’s rhetoric extend far beyond those individuals.

“This kind of rhetoric reframes citizenship as a conditional status — one that can be taken away if the government doesn’t like you,” says Chishti. “That’s a dangerous precedent.”

Legal protections for naturalized citizens are strong, but public perception is more fragile. In a time of deep political division, the idea that some Americans might be treated as “less American” is striking a nerve.

And with the Trump administration promising to “turbocharge” its immigration agenda, many worry the lines between law and politics could blur even further.

In Conclusion

The law makes it extremely difficult — if not impossible — to strip citizenship from individuals like Musk, Mamdani, or O’Donnell without due process. But even the suggestion of such actions has power.

Whether it’s intended as a legal signal or a political one, the message is clear: In today’s climate, even citizenship can become part of the fight.