Rosie O’Donnell has made good on a promise she and many Hollywood elites have made over the years: she’s left the country following the re-election of Donald Trump.
As of March 11, 2025, the comedian and actress announced in a TikTok video that she has moved to Ireland and is in the process of applying for Irish citizenship.
O’Donnell, a longtime outspoken critic of Trump, said she left the United States because of what she calls concerns over “equal rights” and political direction.
In her video, she stated she would consider returning when she believes it is “safe for all citizens to have equal rights” in the U.S. She also confirmed that her daughter Dakota moved with her.
While O’Donnell’s move might surprise some, this isn’t the first time celebrities have threatened to leave the country over an election outcome.
Who could forget when other Hollywood stars like Cher, Samuel L. Jackson, and Lena Dunham vowed to leave if Trump won in 2016—only to stay put when he did?
Unlike them, O’Donnell actually packed up and left.
Some have jokingly referred to O’Donnell’s departure as “self-deportation,” a term often used in immigration discussions to describe people who leave voluntarily rather than being forced out.
While she wasn’t under any legal pressure to leave, her move reflects her personal dissatisfaction with the political climate in the U.S.
Many conservatives see this as yet another example of Hollywood’s disconnect from everyday Americans. Millions of people continue to live, work, and thrive in the U.S. despite political differences.
While O’Donnell views the country as unsafe, millions of citizens still see America as the land of opportunity—something that has drawn immigrants here for centuries.
O’Donnell has been one of Trump’s loudest critics for years.
Their public feud dates back to 2006, when she attacked him on “The View,” and he responded in kind.
Over the years, their rivalry only grew, with O’Donnell using her platform to speak out against Trump at every turn.
Critics of O’Donnell’s decision see her move as little more than a political stunt.
Others argue that her departure is hypocritical, as she claims to be advocating for equal rights while moving to a country with strict immigration policies, no birthright citizenship, and a vastly different political system.
The big question now is whether O’Donnell will stick to her plan. If history is any indication, Hollywood’s threats to leave the country rarely materialize long-term.
The U.S. remains a country where individuals have the freedom to voice their political beliefs, even when they strongly oppose the leadership in Washington.
O’Donnell appears to be settling into her new life in Ireland, but whether she stays or eventually comes back remains to be seen.
In the meantime, many Americans are more than happy to wave and say: “Bless your heart, and safe travels!”
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
