In the wake of Donald Trump’s return to the White House, many Hollywood stars made dramatic declarations. They swore they would pack their bags. They claimed they couldn’t live in Trump’s America, they threatened mass exodus.
We’ve heard it all before. Back in 2016, dozens of celebrities from Cher to Whoopi Goldberg vowed to flee the country if Trump won. Most never did.
This time seems different. Some celebrities appear to be following through.
One of President Trump’s most vocal critics has officially left American soil. Comedian Rosie O’Donnell confirmed this week that she has relocated to Ireland and is currently seeking Irish citizenship.
O’Donnell revealed in a nearly 10-minute TikTok video that she departed the United States on January 15 – just five days before Trump’s inauguration – taking her 12-year-old daughter with her while leaving her four adult children behind.
“When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back,” O’Donnell explained. “It’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically and hard for me personally as well. The personal is political, as we all know.”
The 62-year-old comedian said she is in the process of applying for Irish citizenship through her grandparents, who were born there. She described her new life abroad as “pretty wonderful” and praised the Irish people for being “so loving, so kind and so welcoming.”
Another Hollywood Exit
O’Donnell isn’t alone in her departure from American soil. Fellow comedian Ellen DeGeneres reportedly fled to rural England with her wife Portia de Rossi shortly after Trump’s November victory.
While in Ireland, O’Donnell says she misses her adult children and friends but feels the move was necessary.
“Although I was someone who never thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child,” she explained.
The comedian encouraged her followers to “stand up, to use their voice, to protest, to demand that we follow the Constitution in our country and not a king, not a man and we don’t have cruelty as part of our governing style.”
Wait—isn’t it ironic that she’s lecturing Americans about the Constitution from another country? Just saying.
Check out O’Donnell’s full statement on this in the video below.
@rosie hello all – here’s whats been going on folks – sending love ❤️- follow me on substack – link in my bio #bewell #speakkindlytoyourself #dourbest
A Long-Standing Rivalry
O’Donnell’s history with Trump stretches back to 2006, when she criticized him on The View for his decision to give Miss USA Tara Conner a “second chance” after the pageant winner was caught drinking underage.
Trump, who owned the Miss USA competition at the time, responded by calling O’Donnell “a real loser.” This sparked a years-long feud that intensified during Trump’s first presidential campaign.
During a 2015 Republican primary debate, when moderator Megyn Kelly asked Trump about his history of calling women “fat pigs” and “slobs,” Trump famously interjected: “Only Rosie O’Donnell.”
The remark drew laughter and applause from the audience.
Throughout Trump’s first term, O’Donnell remained one of his most vocal critics, once referring to him as an “orange anus” on social media and regularly calling for his removal from office.
Promises Made, Promises Kept
Conservative social media lit up with celebration after learning O’Donnell had fled the country. And can you blame them? After years of O’Donnell’s anti-Trump tirades, many of us see her departure as a bonus we didn’t even campaign for.
“Well, at least she followed through. Most lib celebrities don’t have the strength of their convictions. Bye,” wrote one commenter, giving credit where it’s due.
Conservative filmmaker Robby Starbuck declared that Trump got the liberal comedian to “self-deport,” adding: “Promises made, promises kept!”
Even former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy joined in, joking on Fox News that O’Donnell had given the Irish “one more reason to drink” on the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.
The White House didn’t miss the opportunity to respond either. When asked about O’Donnell’s move, a spokesperson delivered a blunt message: “Promises made, promises kept. Good riddance!”
During a White House meeting with Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin, a reporter asked about Ireland accepting O’Donnell as a resident.
“Thank you, I like that question,” Trump responded with a smile, while Martin appeared confused about who they were discussing.
Unlike many celebrities who merely threatened to leave America, O’Donnell actually followed through on her promise – a fact that even her critics acknowledge with a strange sort of respect.
While O’Donnell claims she may return someday when America is “safe for all citizens to have equal rights,” yet conservatives see her departure as validation rather than loss.
As one social media user succinctly put it: “Yes, this is what we voted for.”
For many Trump supporters, watching celebrities who repeatedly threatened to leave America finally make good on their promises feels like an unexpected bonus of the 2024 election victory. One more campaign promise fulfilled, even if it wasn’t exactly on the official platform!
Key Takeaways
- Rosie O’Donnell joins the small group of celebrities who actually followed through on threats to leave America after Trump’s victory.
- Conservative Americans view celebrity departures as a validation of their vote rather than a cultural loss.
- The Trump-O’Donnell feud that began in 2006 has culminated in her self-imposed exile to Ireland.
- White House officials responded to her departure with “Good riddance,” reinforcing Trump’s promise to change America’s direction.
Sources: Fox News, Daily Mail, TMZ
