Rosie O’Donnell reveals the reason she left the U.S. for Ireland after Trump’s election

Rosie O’Donnell revealed in a TikTok video that she and her 12-year-old daughter have been living in Ireland since January 15. She said that she fled the United States after Donald Trump was elected to a second term as president. While this is something that many people wished to do after Trump’s presidency - especially those identifying as LGBTQ+ - many did not have the option.

O’Donnell, who identifies as a lesbian, is the daughter of an Irish father and Irish-American mother, so she’s now in the process of getting her Irish citizenship by way of her parents.

O’Donnell explains her move to Ireland

O’Donnell’s video is nearly 10 minutes long and in it, she explains that Trump’s return to the White House was the reason for her move.

“It has been heartbreaking to see what is happening over there politically and hard for me personally as well,” O’Donnell said.

She said that she’d consider returning “when you know it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America”, but for the time being, she felt it important to get her daughter out of there. She also encouraged Americans who are still in the U.S. to stand up to Trump and his policies.

“I encourage everyone to stand up, to use their voice, to protest, to demand that we follow the constitution in our country, and not a king and not a man and we don’t have cruelty as part of our governing style,” O’Donnell said.

“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.”

O’Donnell is not the only LGBTQ celebrity to have moved abroad following Trump’s presidency. Ellen Degeneres has moved to the UK and Laverne Cox is looking into living in Europe or the Carribbean, where she said she would feel safer. The executive director for Women in Film, Kristen Schaffer, expressed deep concerns as a lesbian and mother living in the United States.

“It’s keeping me up at night [worrying] for myself and the wider community, especially the transgender community,” said Schaffer. “There were more guardrails last time: [Trump] didn’t have the House, Senate and judiciary. And he has Project 2025. I was concerned before, but now I’m really concerned.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.