Talk show host and longtime Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell has officially followed through on her repeated promises to leave the United States, confirming on Tuesday that she has relocated to Ireland.
The former host of “The View” and star of “A League of Their Own” revealed in a TikTok video that she moved overseas after former President Donald Trump defeated former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
“I’m here in Ireland. And it’s beautiful and warm—not physically, it’s actually quite cold,” O’Donnell quipped in the video posted Tuesday. “Moved here on January 15th, and it’s been pretty wonderful, I have to say. The people are so loving and so kind, so welcoming, and I’m very grateful.”
O’Donnell also shared that she is in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship, signaling that her move is more than just temporary. “And although I was never someone who thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child. And here we are,” she added.
The actress and comedian had previously threatened to leave the country during Trump’s first term but ultimately stayed. This time, however, she appears committed to making a fresh start abroad. When asked what it would take for her to return to the U.S., she hinted at political and social concerns.
“You know, I’m happy. Clay [her child] is happy. I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home, and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country. When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights in America, that’s when we will consider coming back,” she explained, without specifying which policies she was referring to.
O’Donnell further elaborated on the reasoning behind her decision, pointing to what she described as troubling political developments in the U.S. under Trump’s leadership.
“It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically and hard for me personally as well. The personal is political, as we all know,” she said.
At the conclusion of her nine-minute TikTok video, O’Donnell offered words of encouragement to her followers. “Protect your sanity is all I can say. Protect your sanity as much as you can, and try not to swim in the chaos if possible, but I know it’s nearly impossible when you’re there in the middle of it,” she advised.
“And I think about everyone every day and the United States of America. And I am hoping that we can turn things around, counting on you, all of you, to do what’s right. And I think deep down inside, we all know what that is.”
O’Donnell is among a handful of left-wing celebrities who have actually followed through on threats to leave the country following Trump’s election victories. While many Hollywood figures have made similar vows over the years, few have truly left.
She is not alone in her decision to relocate, however. Fellow talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres recently announced that she had moved to England following the election, citing similar reasons.
As political tensions continue to shape the landscape in the United States, the trend of celebrity relocations may become more common. Whether O’Donnell and others will ever return remains to be seen, but for now, she appears content in her new life abroad.