Rosie O’Donnell surprised everyone when she announced in a TikTok post on Tuesday, March 11, that she had moved to Ireland after Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The veteran television personality described her move as both personal and political, refusing to return to the U.S. until “it’s safe for all citizens to have equal rights.”
A longtime critic of Trump, the 62-year-old star’s move shows her distaste for the current state of American politics and her commitment to creating a safe environment for herself and her youngest child, Dakota, who is non-binary and goes by Clay.
Rosie O’Donnell’s Move to Ireland
In a nine-minute TikTok video, O’Donnell revealed she moved to Ireland on January 15—just five days after Trump’s second inauguration.
“I’m here in Ireland. And it’s beautiful and warm — not physically. It’s actually quite cold,” she said. “It’s been pretty wonderful, I have to say. The people are so loving and so kind, so welcoming. And I’m very grateful.”
The comedian is now in the process of getting her Irish citizenship since her grandparents were born in the country.
O’Donnell believed leaving the U.S. would be best for her and her 12-year-old child. And though she and Clay are happy, she admitted she missed her other kids and friends.
“I miss many things about life there at home and I’m trying to find a home here in this beautiful country and when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back,” she continued.
The actress added that it had been “heartbreaking” to see what was happening “politically” in the U.S. that made it hard for her personally as well.
“The personal is political, as we all know,” she uttered.
A Politically Motivated Decision
O’Donnell’s decision to move to Ireland is evidently politically motivated, rooted in her strong opposition to Trump and his policies.
She has been a vocal critic of the 45th and 47th U.S. President since his first presidential campaign in 2016. In fact, she has even frequently clashed with him publicly.
Their feud dates back to 2006 when O’Donnell criticized Trump’s decision to give Miss USA Tara Conner a second chance after allegations of drug use.
Trump got back to her by calling her a “loser” and a “pig,” resulting in a bitter rivalry that has been going on for nearly two decades.
So, though O’Donnell avoided naming Trump in her video, she made it clear that his reelection had something to do with her decision to leave the U.S.
“When democracy falls, fascism takes place,” she said.
She also criticized the mainstream media for failing to uphold its responsibilities as the "fourth estate," which she believes is essential for sustaining democracy.
O’Donnell then encouraged her followers 2.5 million followers to take action by protesting and demanding adherence to constitutional values.
“I think about everyone every day and the United States of America,” she added. “I am hoping that we can turn things around.”
By the looks of it, O’Donnell’s return to her home country now depends on that change she dreams of.