Rosie O'Donnell, the outspoken comedian and former co-host of The View, has once again thrust herself into the political spotlight with dire warnings about the state of American democracy under Donald Trump. Fresh off a flight to Australia, where she’s scheduled to perform two stand-up shows at the Sydney Opera House, O'Donnell didn’t mince words when asked about her ongoing feud with the former president and her reasons for self-imposed exile.
On October 6, 2025, O'Donnell told RadarOnline.com that she believes Trump will be "the end of democracy in the US." Her comments, made just after arriving in Sydney, echoed a familiar refrain for the 63-year-old comic, who has long been a vocal critic of Trump and his MAGA movement. But this time, her warnings carried a personal twist: O'Donnell said she is "about to be approved" for Irish citizenship, a move she initiated after Trump’s return to the White House at the start of the year.
"I am applying and about to be approved for my Irish citizenship, as my grandparents were from there, and that's all you need," O'Donnell explained. "It will be good to have my Irish citizenship, especially since Trump keeps threatening to take away mine." The comedian’s relocation to Ireland, which she described as "self-imposed exile," was motivated by deep concerns for her family's safety and the direction of the country under Trump’s leadership.
In interviews with both RadarOnline.com and Australia’s Daily Telegraph, O'Donnell painted a grim picture of America’s future. "What's coming is fascism in the United States, pure and simple," she warned. "Christian white nationalism, and that's not democracy, and that's not a democratic republic, and you know, that's not who we are. I feel that if we let them continue on, we are doomed as a democracy."
O'Donnell’s fears are not just theoretical. She recounted a personal clash with Trump after she criticized his administration’s handling of catastrophic floods in Texas, which left over 120 people dead. In July, Trump lashed out on his Truth Social platform, declaring, "Because of the fact that Rosie O'Donnell is not in the best interests of our Great Country, I am giving serious consideration to taking away her Citizenship. She is a Threat to Humanity, and should remain in the wonderful Country of Ireland, if they want her."
O'Donnell’s response was swift and scathing. On Instagram, she wrote, "The president of the USA has always hated the fact that I see him for who he is - a criminal con man sexual-abusing liar out to harm our nation to serve himself. This is why I moved to Ireland - he is a dangerous old soulless man with dementia who lacks empathy, compassion, and basic humanity." She continued, "I stand in direct opposition (to) all he represents - so do millions of others - u gonna deport all who stand against ur evil tendencies - ur a bad joke who can't form a coherent sentence (sic)."
Despite her relocation, O'Donnell admitted the transition hasn’t been easy. In a candid TikTok video, she confessed, "It's not easy to move to another country, but we felt as a family this was the safest and best thing for us to do, and it looks like, sadly, we are correct, given what's happening in the United States is overwhelmingly depressing, unconstitutional, illegal, criminal, and so very sad." She urged, "Let's hope the world and the nation rallies against the current administration and their horrific ideas for what will make America great again, and it's not racism and homophobia, it's equality for all."
O'Donnell’s anxieties about American democracy have even spilled over into her personal life. She revealed that her therapist has grown weary of her relentless focus on the political divide. "My therapist said, 'Why are you so upset?' And I said to her, 'Why are you not?'" she recounted to RadarOnline.com. The comedian’s sense of urgency is palpable, as she described the current climate as "overwhelmingly depressing" and expressed fear that the country is "doomed as a democracy" if Trump's administration continues unchecked.
Her warnings are not just about politics, but about the very fabric of American society. In her interview with the Daily Telegraph, O'Donnell emphasized, "We have got to remember that who we are is much bigger than just a Democrat, a conservative or a Republican, or a liberal. We are all humans that have the same blood and the same heartbeats and the same needs and the same emotions and the same desire for freedom."
O'Donnell’s decision to seek Irish citizenship is rooted in her family history—her grandparents were from Ireland, making her eligible under Irish law. She described the process as a "self-imposed (political exile)," and said she would be "relieved when the process is complete." The move, she explained, was prompted by both Trump’s threats and her belief that her values are fundamentally at odds with those of the current administration.
Her feud with Trump, which dates back to well before his presidency, has only intensified in recent years. Trump’s threat to revoke her citizenship, while constitutionally impossible, has nonetheless added fuel to the fire. O'Donnell’s public rebuke—calling Trump a "dangerous old soulless man with dementia"—was widely shared on social media, reflecting the deep polarization that now defines American political discourse.
Yet, for all her criticism, O'Donnell insists she is not alone. "I stand in direct opposition (to) all he represents - so do millions of others," she wrote. Her move to Ireland, she said, was not just about personal safety, but about making a statement against what she sees as a dangerous shift in American politics.
As she prepares for her performances in Sydney, O'Donnell’s focus remains firmly on the political struggles back home. Her warnings about fascism and Christian white nationalism are stark, but they are also a call to action. "We are doomed as a democracy" if Trump’s administration continues, she insists—a message she hopes will resonate not just with her fans, but with anyone concerned about the future of American democracy.
For O'Donnell, the stakes could not be higher. Her decision to leave the United States, seek Irish citizenship, and speak out from abroad is both a personal and political act—one that underscores the deep divisions and anxieties of the current era. Whether her warnings will be heeded remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Rosie O'Donnell is not backing down.
