Rosie O’Donnell Claims To Have Moved To Ireland
Rosie O’Donnell has never been one to hold back her thoughts on Donald Trump, and now, she’s taken her opposition to an entirely new level—by leaving the country altogether. The comedian and longtime Trump critic confirmed that she relocated to Ireland ahead of the former president’s return to the White House, citing both political and personal reasons for her decision.
In a video posted to TikTok, O’Donnell described her new life abroad as “pretty wonderful,” expressing gratitude for the warm welcome she and her 12-year-old child have received. She explained that, despite never imagining she would leave the United States permanently, she ultimately felt it was the best decision for her family. The move, she revealed, happened on January 15—just five days before Trump’s inauguration.
O’Donnell’s feud with Trump goes back nearly two decades, first igniting in 2006 when she criticized him on The View over his handling of a Miss USA controversy. Trump, never one to let a public slight go unanswered, famously fired back by calling O’Donnell a “real loser,” and the two have been exchanging barbs ever since.
Over the years, O’Donnell has been an outspoken critic of Trump’s policies, his leadership style, and his rhetoric, frequently taking to social media to voice her opposition. In 2017, she quipped to Seth Meyers that she spent “90% of [her] working hours tweeting hatred” toward the administration.
Her name even made an unexpected appearance on the national stage during a 2015 Republican primary debate. When pressed on derogatory comments he had made about women, Trump responded with a smirk, “Only Rosie O’Donnell,” drawing laughter from the crowd. More recently, during last year’s election, he referenced her again at the Al Smith dinner, joking that The View had become so unbearable that producers “really need to bring Rosie O’Donnell back.”
Stop, stop, I already voted for him https://t.co/jiyqEZkIl0
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 12, 2025
Despite her self-imposed exile, O’Donnell has remained politically engaged, posting frequent videos during the election cycle. One particularly impassioned message on Thanksgiving warned her followers about Trump’s return, stating, “This is not a sane person. This is a madman. You gotta get ready for what’s coming.”
While she misses her friends, her grown children, and aspects of life in the U.S., O’Donnell insists she and her daughter are happy in Ireland, exploring the country and adjusting to their new home. However, she made it clear that she considers her relocation temporary. “When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back,” she stated.
For now, O’Donnell urges her American followers to continue speaking out, protesting, and ensuring that democracy, not “a king,” governs the nation. “Protect your sanity as much as you can,” she advised, while expressing hope that the country will “turn things around.”