Rosie O’Donnell has confirmed she has moved to Ireland following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, sparking derision among fans.
The 62-year-old comedian and television personality’s move was also mocked by Trump himself while he hosted the Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin at the Oval Office.
O’Donnell revealed in a TikTok video that she relocated on January 15, just five days before Trump’s inauguration.
The former talk show host said she “never thought” she would move to another country but decided it would be “best” for her family.
In her TikTok announcement, O’Donnell stated she would consider returning to America only “when it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there”.
O’Donnell revealed she had left the US for Ireland on TikTok
TikTok: Rosie O’Donnell
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“It’s been heartbreaking to see what’s happening politically and hard for me personally as well. The personal is political, as we all know,” she said, alluding to policies implemented by President Trump.
The comedian, who has had a long-running public feud with Trump dating back to 2006, did not mention the president by name in her video.
O’Donnell revealed she was “in the process” of obtaining Irish citizenship, as her grandparents were from the country.
In her message to Americans, the New York born star urged them to “protect your sanity as much as you can, and try not to swim in the chaos if possible”.
O’Donnell called on US citizens to “stand up, use their voice, protest” in response to Trump, who she did not name
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She encouraged people to “stand up, use their voice, protest, demand that we follow the Constitution in our country, and not a king, not a man”.
“We don’t have cruelty as part of our governing style,” she added.
President Trump addressed O’Donnell’s exit on Wednesday during a visit from the Irish Taoiseach after a reporter quizzed the leaders on her move.
“Did you know you have Rosie O’Donnell? Do you know who she is?” Trump asked a stony-faced Martin.
Sporting a cheeky grin, Trump broke the silence by quipping: “You’re better off not knowing.”
Trump couldn’t resist mocking O’Donnell while meeting the Irish leader
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Elsewhere on social media, O’Donnell was mocked by some for her “pathetic” decision to leave for Ireland.
On TikTok, some users slammed “don’t come back” and “please stay there!”
“She said ‘escaped’ like someone wanted to stop her. Lmao,” another sniped.
A third predicted: “She’ll be back in April.”
“Rosie O’Donnell may have moved, but President Trump is still living rent-free in her head,” a fourth joked.
However, others supported the comedian.
“I can’t believe we live in a world where Rosie O’Donnell has to flee from America for safety,” one TikTok user lamented.
Another Irish user wrote “welcome home” along with a tricolour emoji.