Rosie O’Donnell has left the country, revealing Tuesday in a TikTok video that she moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old child, Clay, just days before President Trump’s inauguration.
The comedian, who has publicly clashed with Mr. Trump since 2006, said she made the move on Jan. 15 and is now applying for Irish citizenship through her grandparents.
Settling into her new life, she described Ireland as “pretty wonderful … The people have been so loving, so kind and so welcoming. And I’m very grateful.”
“Although I was someone who never thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child,” Ms. O’Donnell said.
While Ms. O’Donnell spoke positively about her home transition, she admitted the move came with personal challenges.
“I miss my other kids. I miss my friends. I miss many things about life there at home,” she said.
Still, she suggested a return to the U.S. is unlikely in the near future.
“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 said.
Her departure is the latest in a long history of political disputes with Mr. Trump, which first gained national attention in 2006 when she criticized him on ABC’s “The View” for his handling of a Miss USA scandal.
Mr. Trump fired back by calling her a “real loser,” and the two continued trading insults for years. During a 2015 Republican primary debate, Mr. Trump deflected a question about derogatory remarks toward women.
“Only Rosie O’Donnell,” he said, eliciting laughter.
She kept up her activism during the 2024 election, frequently posting videos on TikTok, including one on Thanksgiving.
“You can’t forget what he’s capable of. … This is not a sane person. This is a madman. You gotta get ready for what’s coming,” she said.
Ms. O’Donnell now says she is focused on making a new life abroad.
“We needed to take care of ourselves and make some hard decisions and follow through,” she said in the recent video.
