Rosie O’Donnell, the well-known actress and comedian, has officially left the United States for Ireland, citing her frustration with “Donald Trump’s America” as the driving force behind her move.
The 62-year-old shared her decision in an emotional nine-minute video update with her 2.5 million followers, revealing that she relocated with her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota, on January 15, 2025—just days before Trump’s second-term inauguration.
Why Rosie O’Donnell Moved to Ireland
In her video, O’Donnell didn’t hold back about her discontent with America’s political direction under Trump.
“It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically, and it has been hard for me personally as well,” she said. “The personal is political, as we all know.” For O’Donnell, the tipping point came with Trump’s re-election, prompting her to seek a fresh start abroad.
She admitted the decision wasn’t easy. “I was never someone who thought I would move to another country,” she confessed. “But I decided this was the best choice for myself and my child. And here we are.”
Despite the challenges, O’Donnell emphasized that the move was necessary for her and Dakota’s well-being.
Since arriving in Ireland, O’Donnell has been pleasantly surprised by the kindness of locals. “The people here are so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I’m very grateful,” she shared.
On March 7, 2025, she posted a selfie driving her new used car, joking about the challenge of driving on the left side of the road: “Hit the curb three times—thought I hit a cat! #newadventures.”
While she’s settling in, O’Donnell admitted to missing her other children and friends in the U.S.
Still, she remains firm in her choice, stating she’ll only return “when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights in America.”
A Longstanding Feud with Donald Trump
O’Donnell’s move is the latest chapter in her decades-long feud with Trump, which predates his political career. Since his first term in 2016, she’s been a vocal critic of his policies and leadership.
Her recent TikTok posts underscore her stance, including one praising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while slamming Trump: “If only the current president had a drop of his caring committed heart. #resist.”
In December 2024, she unleashed a fiery rant against Time magazine for naming Trump “Man of the Year.” “F* you, Time magazine. How about most dangerous man of the year?” she fumed. For O’Donnell, Trump’s return to power was the final straw.
Other Celebrities Leaving the U.S.
O’Donnell isn’t alone in her exodus. Other high-profile figures have also left the U.S. since Trump’s re-election.
Actor Richard Gere, 75, sold his $11 million Connecticut home in November 2024 and moved to Madrid, Spain, to join his wife Alejandra’s family. Vanity Fair called it a “great adventure” for the star.
Similarly, comedian Ellen DeGeneres, 67, and her wife Portia de Rossi, 52, have settled in the English countryside.
