Check out which celebrities promised to leave the U.S. if Trump became president, and which ones actually followed through.
Before Donald Trump won the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a wave of celebrities declared they’d leave the country if he won—yet most didn’t act on those statements. Fast forward to the 2024 election, and their earlier declarations have become the subject of renewed scrutiny: have any followed through this time around?
One standout example is late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who hasn’t relocated but has taken a notable step—he recently secured Italian citizenship. On The Sarah Silverman Podcast, Kimmel explained that his decision was rooted in deep concern over the U.S. political climate under Trump’s second term, describing it as “so much worse” than anticipated.
Kimmel has also found himself in the headlines for another reason: he was recently suspended from Jimmy Kimmel Live! after sparking backlash over comments in a monologue about the Charlie Kirk murder case. ABC confirmed that the show has been preempted indefinitely, marking one of the most dramatic shake-ups in late-night television in years.
Scroll through the gallery to see which celebrities said they’d leave the U.S. if Trump was elected, and the stars who have followed through this time.
1 of 13
Ellen DeGeneres
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Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, moved to a rural section of the U.K. and “plan to never return to the United States” because of Trump’s re-election, The Wrap reported on November 20, 2024. She reportedly sold her Montecito home amid her move to the United Kingdom.
Ellen confirmed the report in July 2025 during an event in South West England. She said, “We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, ‘(Trump) got in.’ And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here.’”
November 21, 2024, 8:36AM 2 of 13
Eva Longoria
Getty Images for Air Mail/Warner
During a November 2024 interview with Marie Claire, she revealed she was not living in the U.S. full-time anymore. While she decided to do this before the election, the actress noted that the results further encouraged her decision.
“I’m privileged,” Eva acknowledged. “I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans aren’t so lucky. They’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them. … I had my whole adult life here. But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then Covid happened, and it pushed it over the edge.”
November 14, 2024, 5:30PM 3 of 13
Barbra Streisand
Getty Images for The Dwight D. O
During an interview on Australia’s 60 Minutes in 2016, Barbra said, “I’m either coming to your country — if you’ll let me in — or Canada.”
In 2023, she doubled down during an appearance on The Late Show, telling Stephen Colbert, “I can’t live in this country if he became president,” and floated England as a possible new home.
Despite the comments, she appears to still reside in Northern California, per a January 2025 Instagram post.
November 6, 2024, 3:18PM 4 of 13
Neve Campbell
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The Scream actress claimed in 2016 that she’d “move back to Canada,” her home country, if Donald won the presidency. While she was born in Ontario and has proudly spoken about her Canadian roots, Campbell has continued to live and work primarily in the United States since making that statement. As of now, there’s no indication she’s relocated, and she appears to remain based in the U.S.
November 6, 2024, 3:18PM 5 of 13
Lena Dunham
FilmMagic
In 2016, Lena said, “I know a lot of people have been threatening to do this, but I really will. I know a lovely place in Vancouver and I can get my work done from there.”
While the comment made headlines, Dunham ultimately did not relocate to Canada. In fact, since 2021 she has been largely based in London, where she lives with her husband, British musician Luis Felber.
Dunham also maintains a second residence in Connecticut—a custom-built house on her parents’ property. Lena shared, “When people ask me where I live now, I say, ‘Between London and Connecticut, 10 feet behind my parents.’ Yes, literally. Just as I always wanted.”
November 6, 2024, 3:18PM
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6 of 13
Raven-Symoné
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Per CBS, Raven previously claimed on The View she’d leave the country if any Republican won the presidency. Despite that remark, Raven‑Symoné remained in the United States following the 2016 election.
November 6, 2024, 3:18PM 7 of 13
Billie Joe Armstrong
Penske Media via Getty Images
The Green Day musician has been a critic of Donald for years, even changing a lyric in “American Idiot” to call out the “MAGA agenda.” But after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Billie threatened in 2022 that he’d renounce his American citizenship.
“F**k America. I’m f**king renouncing my citizenship,” he said, per Newsweek. “There’s too much f**king stupid in the world to go back to that miserable f**king excuse for a country.”
Despite the statement, there’s no evidence he followed through. He has continued to reside in the U.S., and as of early 2024, an interview confirmed that Armstrong was still living in Oakland, California.
November 6, 2024, 3:18PM 8 of 13
Cher
Getty Images for The Recording A
In 2016, Cher quipped that she’d “leave the planet” if Donald was elected president.
She later reiterated that if Trump were to win again, she would consider leaving the U.S. entirely. However, as of recent reporting, Cher remains in the United States.
November 6, 2024, 3:18PM 9 of 13
John Legend
Getty Images for Ferrari
While speaking with Cosmopolitan in 2020, the “All of Me” hitmaker said, “We were born and raised here, all of our families are here. It would be hard to leave. But I don’t know what one’s supposed to do when you have a leader who is trying to destroy democracy.”
Despite the strong rhetoric, Legend has remained in the U.S. with his family.
John added, “If America chooses to be that place, then people will have to start thinking about going somewhere else. It is truly disturbing and concerning.”
November 6, 2024, 5:56PM 10 of 13
Guillermo Rodriguez
Getty Images
After the 2024 election concluded, Guillermo appeared in a skit alongside Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live! joking that he was “going back to Mexico.”
Like Kimmel, Guillermo hasn’t actually relocated.
November 7, 2024, 8:17AM 11 of 13
Rosie O’Donnell
AFP via Getty Images
Rosie O’Donnell confirmed on March 11 that she moved to Ireland at the start of 2025.
In a TikTok video, she revealed that she relocated with her child, Clay, and explained, “When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.” She added, “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.”
Trump later hinted at revoking Rosie’s U.S. citizenship by calling her a “threat to humanity.”
March 12, 2025, 1:52PM 12 of 13
Jimmy Kimmel
Getty Images
Shortly after the 2024 election results came in, Jimmy joked in an opening skit of his late-night show that he was “leaving the country” because he “can’t stay for another four years of this.”
“Who knows what he’s gonna do?” Jimmy asked Guillermo Rodriguez while pointing out Donald’s “list of enemies.”
While Jimmy hasn’t moved abroad, he recently revealed that he has obtained Italian citizenship, tracing his eligibility through his grandmother’s family. He said the decision was partly motivated by concerns over the political climate following Trump’s re-election. For now, he remains based in the U.S., continuing to host Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
November 7, 2024, 8:17AM 13 of 13
Angelina Jolie
Getty Images
Angelina spoke out about the country’s division in late 2025. At the San Sebastián Film Festival, the actress said, “I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country. I’ve always lived internationally, my family is international, my friends, my life… My worldview is equal, united, and international. Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous.”
Since then, reports circulated about Angelina’s potential move outside of the U.S.
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