Rosie O’Donnell’s Departure: A Personal and Political Statement

Rosie O’Donnell, the acclaimed actress and comedian, has officially left the United States for Ireland, citing deep dissatisfaction with the country’s political trajectory under Donald Trump’s leadership. Her decision, made just days before Trump’s second-term inauguration, marks a significant and deeply personal shift in her life.

A Life-Altering Decision

On January 15, 2025, O’Donnell and her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota, relocated to Ireland, a move she revealed in an emotional nine-minute video to her 2.5 million followers. Expressing heartbreak over the state of American politics, she declared, “The personal is political, as we all know.” For O’Donnell, Trump’s re-election served as the tipping point, prompting her to seek a new life in a country that aligned more closely with her values.

While she never envisioned herself leaving the U.S., she ultimately felt it was necessary. “I was never someone who thought I would move to another country,” she admitted. “But I decided this was the best choice for myself and my child. And here we are.”

Finding a New Home in Ireland

Despite the difficulty of leaving her home and loved ones, O’Donnell has found comfort in her new surroundings. She spoke warmly about the hospitality of the Irish people, describing them as “so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I’m very grateful.”

Adjusting to life in Ireland has brought both challenges and humorous moments. On March 7, 2025, she posted a lighthearted selfie behind the wheel of her newly purchased used car, joking, “Hit the curb three times—thought I hit a cat! #newadventures.”

However, she acknowledges the emotional weight of her decision. She misses her other children and close friends in the U.S. but remains resolute, stating she will only return “when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights in America.”

A Longstanding Feud with Donald Trump

O’Donnell’s departure is not just about politics—it is the culmination of a decades-long feud with Trump, dating back to his pre-presidential days. A vocal critic of his policies, she has frequently spoken out against his leadership.

Her frustration became increasingly public in recent months. In December 2024, she lashed out at Time magazine for naming Trump “Man of the Year,” declaring, “F** you, Time magazine. How about most dangerous man of the year?”* On social media, she praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky while sharply criticizing Trump, stating, “If only the current president had a drop of his caring, committed heart. #resist.”

A Growing Trend Among Celebrities

O’Donnell is not the only public figure choosing to leave the U.S. since Trump’s re-election. Actor Richard Gere moved to Madrid, Spain, to be with his wife’s family, selling his Connecticut estate in late 2024. Meanwhile, comedian Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have found a new home in the English countryside.

For O’Donnell, this move is about more than personal preference—it is a firm statement of her beliefs. Whether she ever returns to the U.S. remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: her decision is a testament to her deep convictions and unwavering commitment to the values she holds dear.