In a series of explosive statements that have rattled legal experts and civil rights advocates, former President and current GOP frontrunner Donald Trump has floated the idea of revoking U.S. citizenship from some of his loudest critics — including billionaire Elon Musk, New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and comedian Rosie O’Donnell.

The statements, delivered over several campaign events and social media posts, are reportedly part of a broader effort by Trump to revive and expand federal denaturalization programs. But legal scholars warn the implications are dangerous, politically motivated, and likely unconstitutional.

“We May Have to Look Into That”

When asked whether he would consider deporting Elon Musk, Trump replied:

“I don’t know. We may have to look into that.”

Musk, who was born in South Africa and became a U.S. citizen in 2002, has been an on-and-off Trump ally — but recent criticism and distance between the two men appear to have triggered Trump’s wrath. Musk has not responded directly but posted on X: “It’s so tempting to respond. But for now, I’ll hold.”

Though rumors have circulated about Musk’s early immigration status, he has previously denied ever working illegally in the U.S. Still, Trump’s remark has reignited calls for an investigation, despite a lack of evidence.

🔥 Mamdani: “Because I’m Muslim. Because I’m an immigrant.”

Trump’s harshest language, however, was directed at Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat and immigrant from Uganda who is running for mayor of New York. During a campaign stop, Trump told reporters:

“We have to arrest him. We don’t need communists in this country.”

He added: “Many people say he’s here illegally,” though no legal challenge to Mamdani’s citizenship exists. Mamdani became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and is a sitting state assembly member.

In an emotional press conference the next day, Mamdani responded:

“The president said I should be arrested, deported, stripped of my citizenship — just because I’m an immigrant, a Muslim, a South Asian. This is nothing short of an attempt to intimidate anyone who doesn’t fit his vision of America.”

🎭 Rosie O’Donnell: “Just try it.”

Perhaps the most baffling example was Trump’s mention of Rosie O’Donnell, the outspoken actress and comedian who was born in New York and has always been a U.S. citizen. On Truth Social, Trump wrote that he was “seriously considering” revoking her citizenship, calling her “a threat to humanity.”

O’Donnell, who recently relocated to Ireland with her 12-year-old child, fired back on Instagram:

“Just try it, King Joffrey with the orange spray tan. I’ve never been yours to silence.”

Legal experts were quick to denounce the statement as both absurd and dangerous.

⚖️ Can Trump Actually Do This?

In short: No — not without a serious legal battle.

U.S. law only allows denaturalization — revoking citizenship — under specific conditions, usually when it was obtained fraudulently. According to Muzaffar Chishti from the Migration Policy Institute:

“A court must be presented with clear and convincing evidence that the person lied in their naturalization process.”

Even then, birthright citizenship cannot be stripped under current law. The U.S. Supreme Court has consistently ruled that American-born citizens — like O’Donnell — cannot lose their citizenship involuntarily, not even by act of Congress.

🧾 The History — and Politics — of Denaturalization

Between 1990 and 2017, the U.S. government filed around 11 denaturalization cases per year. But during Trump’s first term, that number surged. Over 100 cases were launched after he opened a dedicated denaturalization office inside the Department of Justice. President Biden shut down that office in 2021.

Now, Trump says he’ll reopen it — with more power than ever.

Critics see this not as a legal strategy, but a political weapon. “We’re no longer talking about Nazi war criminals,” said law professor Cassandra Burke Robertson. “We’re talking about comedians, political opponents, and billionaires.”

🛑 A Chilling Trend

Though most legal experts agree Trump’s proposals are unworkable, many warn of the symbolic damage. Just invoking citizenship revocation — a rare and severe measure usually reserved for the gravest offenses — sends a chilling message.

“This is political theater with authoritarian undertones,” said former federal prosecutor Sam Rosenfeld. “It won’t hold up in court, but it could reshape public discourse and instill fear.”

🔚 More Posturing Than Policy?

In the end, Trump’s threats may prove more bark than bite. The legal hurdles are steep, and the courts retain the final say.

But the mere fact that a former — and possibly future — president is using citizenship status as a cudgel against dissenters marks a dark turn in American politics.

As Mamdani put it:

“He’s not just coming for me. He’s coming for everyone who doesn’t look like him — or agree with him.”