Mark Hamill, the actor forever etched in popular culture as Luke Skywalker of the “Star Wars” saga, has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind. But in the wake of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, in which Donald Trump secured a return to the White House, Hamill’s reaction was more personal than ever before. The 73-year-old actor, a self-described “lifelong and ardent Democrat,” recently revealed that he seriously considered leaving the United States—a dramatic move he discussed candidly in a wide-ranging interview with The Times of London.
According to The Times, Hamill’s initial response to Trump’s electoral victory was to give his wife a choice: “Ireland or London?” he asked, suggesting a transatlantic escape from a political climate he found intolerable. But, as Hamill recounted, his wife’s response was both measured and impactful. “She’s very clever,” Hamill told The Times. “She didn’t respond right away, but a week later she said, ‘I’m surprised you would allow him to force you out of your own country.’ That son of a bitch, I thought. I’m not leaving.”
Hamill’s account, as reported by both The Times and Fox News, underscores the deep personal and political divisions that have marked recent years in American public life. For Hamill, the thought of departing his homeland was not just about policy disagreements—it was about the feeling of being pushed out by a movement he opposes. Yet, in the end, his wife’s words struck a chord, prompting him to stay and continue engaging with the country’s future, despite his misgivings.
“I still believe there are more honest, decent people than there are in the MAGA crowd,” Hamill said in his interview with The Times. “If I didn’t, I’d move back to England.” It’s a statement that reflects both hope and frustration—an optimism about the American people, even as he expresses dismay at the direction of its politics.
Hamill’s criticism of the Trump administration was blunt and unvarnished. “The bullying, the incompetence, the people in place… The only way I can deal with it without going crazy and wanting to open my veins in a warm tub is to look at it like a thick, sprawling political novel,” he told The Times. “It’s entertaining in a way because this could actually be the end. Our status in the world has been crippled and that will reverberate for decades. Making Canada a 51st state? Do you know how offensive that is? And then taking over Greenland and renaming the Gulf of Mexico. The distractions are hilarious.”
For Hamill, the sense of political theater is both a coping mechanism and a source of dark amusement. His references to outlandish proposals—like annexing Canada or renaming entire bodies of water—are not literal policy critiques, but rather a way of highlighting what he sees as the administration’s penchant for spectacle over substance. “The distractions are hilarious,” he quipped, underscoring his disbelief at the current state of affairs.
Hamill’s political engagement has not been limited to private conversations or media interviews. In July 2024, after Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election, Hamill publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president. He even shared a photo of himself with the former Vice President on Instagram, signaling his continued commitment to Democratic causes and candidates. As reported by The Times and echoed in coverage by the Tampa Free Press, Hamill’s endorsement was a clear message to his fans and followers about where he stands in the ongoing political contest.
The White House, for its part, was quick to respond to Hamill’s remarks. In a statement to Fox News, a spokesperson said, “Since Mark has decided to stay in the United States, he will get to enjoy the many wins President Trump is securing for the American people — and really, who can blame him for second-guessing a plan to move to the same place as Rosie O’Donnell.” The jab at both Hamill and fellow Trump critic Rosie O’Donnell was characteristic of the administration’s combative approach to celebrity detractors.
This exchange between Hamill and the White House is emblematic of a broader cultural and political clash that has defined recent years. On one side, public figures like Hamill use their platforms to voice dissent and rally opposition; on the other, the administration and its supporters respond with equal vigor, often dismissing critics as out of touch or overly dramatic.
Hamill’s story, however, is not just about celebrity politics or social media skirmishes. It’s about the deeply felt anxieties and hopes of millions of Americans—those who see the country at a crossroads, and who grapple with the question of whether to stay and fight for change or seek solace elsewhere. Hamill’s decision to remain in the United States, spurred by his wife’s pointed question, is a testament to the complex interplay of personal conviction, family ties, and civic responsibility.
His comments about the country’s diminished status on the world stage—“Our status in the world has been crippled and that will reverberate for decades”—reflect a concern shared by many observers, both within the U.S. and abroad. The notion that recent political turmoil could have long-lasting effects is not unique to Hamill, but his way of expressing it—half in jest, half in exasperation—captures a mood that is at once serious and surreal.
Yet, for all his criticisms, Hamill’s belief in the fundamental decency of most Americans remains undimmed. “I still believe there are more honest, decent people than there are the MAGA crowd,” he said, reiterating his faith in the broader public even as he laments the current political climate.
As the country continues to navigate the aftermath of a contentious election and the challenges of a divided society, Hamill’s story serves as a reminder of the personal stakes involved in political debates. For some, the question of whether to stay or go is not just rhetorical—it’s a matter of identity, belonging, and hope for the future.
In the end, Mark Hamill remains in the United States, his resolve strengthened by a simple but profound challenge from his wife. Whether his optimism will be borne out by events remains to be seen, but for now, he stands as both a critic and a believer—rooted in his country, yet ever watchful of its direction.
