In January 2025, renowned comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell made headlines by relocating to Ireland with her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota. This move, which occurred just days before Donald Trump’s second inauguration as U.S. President, was influenced by both personal convictions and political circumstances. O’Donnell’s decision underscores her long-standing opposition to Trump’s policies and her commitment to ensuring a nurturing environment for her family.
A New Beginning in Ireland
O’Donnell’s relocation to Ireland was driven by a combination of personal and political factors. In a TikTok video posted on March 11, 2025, she expressed her appreciation for the warm reception she received in her new home. “It’s been pretty wonderful, I have to say,” she remarked. “The people are so loving and so kind and so welcoming. And I’m very grateful.”
Embracing her Irish heritage, O’Donnell is in the process of obtaining Irish citizenship, as her grandparents hailed from Ireland. She reflected on the unexpected nature of her move, stating, “I was never someone who thought I would move to another country. That’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child. And here we are.”
Political Motivations
O’Donnell’s decision to leave the United States was significantly influenced by the political climate under Trump’s administration. She has been an outspoken critic of Trump, with their public feud dating back to 2006. In her TikTok message, she alluded to her dissatisfaction with the current state of American politics, expressing a desire for a society where all citizens have equal rights. She emphasized that her return to the U.S. is contingent upon significant societal changes, stating, “When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
Personal Reflections
While O’Donnell and Dakota are adjusting well to their new surroundings, she admitted to missing her other children and friends back in the United States. She has four other children: Parker, 29; Chelsea, 27; Blake, 24; and Vivienne, 22. Despite this, she emphasized that her return to the U.S. is contingent upon significant societal changes.
Public and Political Reactions
O’Donnell’s relocation has elicited a range of responses, particularly from political figures. During a White House press conference with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Trump was informed of O’Donnell’s move to Ireland. When a reporter asked Martin about allowing O’Donnell to relocate to Ireland, Trump interjected, saying, “Do you know you have Rosie O’Donnell? Do you know who she is? You’re better off not knowing.”
A Broader Trend Among Celebrities
O’Donnell’s relocation is part of a broader trend among celebrities who have chosen to move abroad following Trump’s election. Notably, Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have reportedly moved from California to the English countryside for similar reasons. This pattern reflects the heightened political polarization in the United States and the lengths to which some public figures are willing to go to align their personal lives with their political beliefs.
Looking Ahead
As O’Donnell and her daughter embark on this new chapter in Ireland, they continue to receive an outpouring of support from fans worldwide, many of whom admire her courage and commitment to her principles. In her concluding remarks on TikTok, O’Donnell encouraged her followers to remain vigilant and proactive. She urged 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’s move serves as a poignant reminder of the personal decisions individuals make in response to political climates and their enduring hope for a more equitable society.
