Rosie O’Donnell says she’s officially applying for Irish citizenship amid her long-running feud with President Donald Trump. The 63-year-old comedian told the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph she’s entering what she called “self-imposed political exile” in Ireland.
Rosie’s Move to Ireland
O’Donnell revealed that she first moved to Ireland in January and is now close to final approval for citizenship. “I am applying and about to be approved for my Irish citizenship as my grandparents were from there, and that’s all you need,” she said. “It will be good to have my Irish citizenship, especially since Trump keeps threatening to take away mine.”
The comedian said she made the move just five days before President Trump’s 2025 inauguration, telling her TikTok followers, “It’s been pretty wonderful.”
White House Reaction
The White House responded with sharp humor. “What great news for America!” spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital after reports of O’Donnell’s plans spread.
Trump’s Threats and Rosie’s Response
In July, President Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to threaten that he was considering revoking O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship. He later repeated that claim in September, saying he was giving the matter “serious thought” because “she is not a Great American.”
O’Donnell quickly fired back in a Substack post, writing that Trump “can’t do that because it’s against the Constitution.” She emphasized that only individuals can renounce their citizenship, saying, “I will never renounce my American citizenship. I am a very proud citizen of the United States.”
Dual Citizenship Plans
Despite her clashes with Trump, O’Donnell made it clear she plans to keep dual citizenship. “I am also getting my citizenship here so I can have dual citizenship in Ireland and the United States because I enjoy living here,” she said. “It’s very peaceful. I love the people and their generous hearts.”
O’Donnell added that living in Ireland has been good for her daughter and that she intends to travel back to the U.S. often to see her children. “I have the freedom to do that, as does every American citizen,” she wrote.
Why It Matters
O’Donnell’s decision adds another chapter to her public feud with Trump, which dates back more than a decade. Her move also highlights the growing number of Americans seeking dual citizenship for both personal and political reasons, especially in the wake of polarizing U.S. politics.
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