Rosie O’Donnell Vows to Remain in Ireland Until Donald Trump Leaves Office
American comedian Rosie O’Donnell announced on the Late Late Show that she will return to the United States only after Donald Trump is out of office. O’Donnell relocated to Sandymount in Dublin with her 13-year-old child, Clay, in January 2025 ahead of Trump’s second inauguration. Speaking to host Patrick Kielty, the 12-time Emmy winner described Trump as a “mediocre man, who is a criminal” backed by a “corrupt Supreme Court.” She added that her son Blake, who remains in the US, has asked when she will come home, to which she replied, “I’ll come back as soon as it’s safe, as soon as he’s out.”
Reflections on US Sentiment and Recent Media Appearances
O’Donnell spent four nights guest-hosting the Jimmy Kimmel Show recently, marking her first time behind a late-night desk in 25 years. During her trip back to the US over the summer, she sensed a shift in public mood. According to O’Donnell, cab drivers in New York would stop her on the street while she walked with her autistic son to shout their hatred of Trump. O’Donnell maintained that her relocation was a necessary step as she anticipated the political climate under the current administration. She stated that her grandparents are from Ireland, and while she has been waiting on the approval of her own Irish citizenship for nearly two years, her brothers already hold citizenship.
Did you know? Rosie O’Donnell and Donald Trump have a history of animosity, since she first began criticising his “moral authority” on a television show in 2006. O’Donnell noted on the show that “you can’t sue someone who is telling the truth.”
Praise for President Catherine Connolly and Irish Diplomacy
Turning to international affairs, O’Donnell praised Irish President Catherine Connolly’s handling of Trump’s recent state visit to Ireland. She told Patrick Kielty that she was proud of how Connolly interacted with the US leader, specifically highlighting the presentation of a copy of Navigatio Sancti Brendani – The Voyage of St Brendan and Michael Longley’s collected poems, which include the sonnet Ceasefire. “You know he didn’t even understand the totality of what it meant,” O’Donnell said, referencing a photograph of Trump leaving the meeting looking displeased while Connolly smiled behind him. The comedian argued that Ireland’s handling of the visit—rooted in the nation’s historical connection to famine and displacement—serves as an example for Europe, particularly in standing up for Palestine. She further urged media outlets to ignore Trump entirely in response to his administration excluding certain journalists from White House coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Rosie O’Donnell move to Ireland?
O’Donnell relocated to Sandymount, Dublin, in January 2025 ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, stating she saw what was coming politically and felt she needed to leave the United States.
When does Rosie O’Donnell plan to return to the US?
She stated on the Late Late Show that she will return to America as soon as Donald Trump is out of office and it is safe to do so.
What did President Catherine Connolly gift Donald Trump?
President Connolly presented Trump with a copy of Navigatio Sancti Brendani – The Voyage of St Brendan and the collected poems of Michael Longley during his official visit to Ireland.
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