“It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically and hard for me personally as well,” she says.

Why Rosie O’Donnell moved from US

Rosie O’Donnell, best known for her hosting duties on The Rosie O’Donnell Show and The View, has officially left the United States. The outspoken comedian, a longtime critic of Donald Trump, revealed that she moved to Ireland after his victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

O’Donnell, who has publicly clashed with Trump since 2006, confirmed that she left the U.S. on January 15 — just five days before his inauguration. She is now settling into life in Ireland and has started the process of applying for Irish citizenship, as her grandparents were originally from the island.

“It’s been pretty wonderful, I have to say,” the 62-year-old shared in a TikTok video. “And the people have been so loving, so kind, and so welcoming. And I’m very grateful.”

Earlier this month, O’Donnell teased her move, revealing she had bought a used car to “tool around the countryside on the wrong side of the road.”

The TV personality made the move to Ireland with her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota, and has stated she will only return to the U.S. when there are “equal rights” for all citizens.

Rosie shares Dakota, who goes by the nickname Clay, with her late ex-wife, Michelle Rounds. Her decision to leave came just months after Ellen DeGeneres also said goodbye to the U.S. Other celebrities have similarly voiced their desire to relocate.

Rosie O’Donnell’s choice to leave the U.S. isn’t all that surprising—especially considering her long history of clashing with Donald Trump. The two have been at odds since 2006, when O’Donnell criticized Trump on The View for being too lenient toward Miss USA winner Tara Conner, who had faced allegations of drug use and other misconduct.

Trump fired back, calling O’Donnell a “real loser.” Defending his decision, he stated, “I am a believer in second chances. Tara is a good person. Tara has tried hard. Tara is going to be given a second chance.”

Their public clashes only escalated over the years. In 2014, O’Donnell told People that it was “the most bullying I ever experienced in my life.” She ramped up her criticism during Trump’s presidency, even joking to Seth Meyers in 2017 that she spent “about 90% of my working hours tweeting hatred toward this administration.”