Well would you look at that.
After publicly leaving the United States following the re-election of Donald Trump, longtime Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell has quietly returned to America — at least for now.
The actress, 63, recently admitted she spent two weeks back in the U.S. visiting family after relocating to Ireland in early 2025, just before President Trump’s second inauguration.
Her temporary return is already drawing attention from conservatives who remember her decades-long feud with the president.
Why Rosie O’Donnell Left the United States After Trump’s Re-Election
O’Donnell moved to Ireland with her teenage daughter in January 2025, citing concerns about the political climate under President Trump’s renewed leadership.
During an interview on SiriusXM’s “Cuomo Mornings” with Chris Cuomo, she revealed that she had recently come back quietly to visit family and test how it felt to re-enter the country.
She said she hoped to reunite with her children and also gauge whether it would be comfortable and secure for her and her daughter to come back during the upcoming school holiday.
Despite her temporary visit, O’Donnell made it clear she does not regret leaving the United States in the first place.
A 20-Year Feud With President Trump
The highly publicized feud between O’Donnell and President Trump stretches back almost 20 years, starting when she took aim at him while appearing on a daytime talk show. In the years that followed, the two traded sharp remarks through interviews, television appearances, and social media posts.
In 2025, tensions reignited after O’Donnell announced she was seeking Irish citizenship. A White House spokesperson at the time responded sarcastically, suggesting her departure was “great news for America.”
President Trump also addressed her directly in posts on Truth Social, criticizing her harshly and suggesting she would be better off remaining overseas.
For many conservative voters, the feud became symbolic of a larger cultural divide between Hollywood elites and everyday Americans.
Can a President Revoke Citizenship?
The debate escalated when President Trump floated the idea of reconsidering O’Donnell’s citizenship status.
However, constitutional law is clear: under the 14th Amendment, individuals born in the United States are granted birthright citizenship. Legal experts agree that a president cannot unilaterally strip citizenship from someone born on U.S. soil.
Since O’Donnell was born in New York, her American citizenship remains protected under federal law.
She has publicly stated she would never renounce her U.S. citizenship, even while pursuing dual citizenship in Ireland.
America Still Matters — Even to Its Loudest Critics
While O’Donnell has praised Ireland for its quieter political culture and slower pace of life, her recent return highlights something many Americans already know: you can criticize the United States, but it remains home.
For conservatives over 50 who have watched the cultural battles unfold for years, the story feels familiar. High-profile celebrities threaten to leave when elections don’t go their way — yet often maintain their American ties.
Whether O’Donnell’s stay abroad becomes permanent remains to be seen. But for now, one of President Trump’s most outspoken critics has returned — quietly — to the country she once vowed to leave behind.
And in today’s political climate, that speaks volumes.
