Thanks for leaving! Don’t come back now.
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Ireland has welcomed a new, highly controversial resident: Rosie O’Donnell. And for many, this is no cause for celebration. The left-wing comedian and outspoken Trump critic made headlines with her recent announcement that she had moved to Ireland in January, right before the inauguration of President Joe Biden. This wasn’t the first time O’Donnell had threatened to leave the country over political disagreements—back in 2016, she promised to move if Donald Trump won the presidency. Now, she has made good on that threat, though it seems Ireland may have gotten more than they bargained for.
Comedian Terrence Williams, known for his bold and often humorous takes on politics, had a message for the Irish: “Good luck, that’s all I’m going to say… Don’t try to send her back to us, OK?” Williams’ message struck a chord with many Americans who were less than thrilled about O’Donnell’s departure. One social media user remarked, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Ireland,” while another quipped, “God please bless Ireland, they sure gonna need it!”
O’Donnell, a former host of The View, has been a vocal critic of President Trump for years, engaging in an ongoing public feud with him. She has frequently referred to him as a “snake-oil salesman” and claimed he would never become president, only to be proven wrong. Meanwhile, Trump has not been shy in returning fire, calling her “crude, rude, obnoxious, and dumb.”
But her relocation to Ireland raises more questions than answers. It’s worth noting that in the same week of O’Donnell’s announcement, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin visited the White House, where conservative pundit Brian Glenn jokingly asked, “Why in the world would you let Rosie O’Donnell move to Ireland?” Even Trump chimed in, agreeing with the sentiment and adding, “You’re better off not knowing who she is!”
Rosie’s decision to move abroad, while seemingly personal, reflects a larger issue: the growing divide between the liberal elites and everyday Americans. O’Donnell’s outspoken disdain for Trump has been a central aspect of her public persona, but for many of her critics, it’s more than just her political stance—it’s her bitter and constant attacks that have soured the public’s perception of her.
So, while O’Donnell might think that life in Ireland will provide her with the peace she seeks, she might find herself alienating not only her new neighbors but also the very country she left behind. After all, there’s only so much room for divisive rhetoric in a world that longs for unity. For Ireland, it seems that this particular import might not be one they were hoping for.