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Celebrities Who Left the U.S. After Trump’s November 2024 Election Win: Locations, Reasons, Quotes, and Public Reactions

A collage featuring four women: Ellen DeGeneres smiling in a light shirt, Rosie O'Donnell in a colorful dress, Sophie Turner with a confident expression, and Eva Longoria looking elegant.
Celebrities Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O’Donnell, Sophie Turner, and Eva Longoria have made international moves in response to the political climate in the U.S.

Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024 sparked a wave of reactions across the United States, with some celebrities choosing to leave the country altogether. Citing political disillusionment, personal values, or a desire for a fresh start, these stars have packed their bags and headed abroad. This article explores every celebrity confirmed to have left the U.S. since Trump’s victory, including whether Ellen DeGeneres and Tom Hanks are among them, their reasons for leaving, notable quotes, plans for return, and how the public has responded.

Celebrities Who Have Left the U.S. Since November 2024

1. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi

  • Destination: Cotswolds, England
  • Reason for Leaving: Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, reportedly relocated to the U.K. following Trump’s election win, driven by frustration with the political climate. DeGeneres, a vocal supporter of Kamala Harris, had purchased a property in the Cotswolds prior to the election but finalized the move after Trump’s victory, seeking a quieter life away from U.S. politics and past controversies surrounding her talk show.
  • Quote: While no direct public quote from DeGeneres about the move exists, a source close to the couple told TMZ, “They were very disillusioned with Trump’s win and wanted to get the hell out.”
  • Plans to Return: Sources indicate they have no intention of returning, with reports suggesting they’re selling off their remaining U.S. properties, including a Montecito, California, home.
  • Public Reaction: Fans on social media have mixed feelings. Some praised the couple’s bold move, with one X user writing, “Good for Ellen and Portia—why stay in a mess you can escape?” Others mocked the decision, with comments like, “Another celebrity promise kept—shocker!”

2. Rosie O’Donnell

  • Destination: Ireland
  • Reason for Leaving: Rosie O’Donnell moved to Ireland with her 12-year-old daughter, Dakota, in January 2025, just before Trump’s inauguration. She cited the U.S. political climate and a desire for equal rights as key motivators, leveraging her Irish heritage to pursue citizenship.
  • Quote: In a TikTok video, O’Donnell said, “Although I was never someone who thought I would move to another country, that’s what I decided would be the best for myself and my 12-year-old child. When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there, in America, that’s when we will consider coming back.”
  • Plans to Return: O’Donnell hinted at a potential return only if significant political changes occur, though she’s currently focused on settling in Ireland.
  • Public Reaction: Her departure stirred debate online. Supporters lauded her stance, with one fan tweeting, “Rosie standing up for her beliefs is inspiring.” Critics, however, dismissed it as performative, with an X post reading, “Another rich liberal running away—big surprise.”
  • (We reached out to Rosie O’Donnell for comment and will update this article with any new statements or information)

3. Sophie Turner

  • Destination: West London, United Kingdom
  • Reason for Leaving: The “Game of Thrones” star returned to her native U.K. in 2024, before Trump’s re-election, but her move aligns with growing discontent over U.S. politics, including gun violence and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While her divorce from Joe Jonas also factored in, political concerns were a significant push.
  • Quote: In an October 2024 Harper’s Bazaar interview, Turner stated, “The gun violence, Roe v. Wade being overturned… Everything just kind of piled on. After the Uvalde shooting, I knew it was time to get the fuck out of there.”
  • Plans to Return: Turner has not indicated any plans to return to the U.S., focusing instead on raising her children in the U.K.
  • Public Reaction: Fans largely supported her decision, with one Instagram comment noting, “Sophie’s smart—why stay in a country going backward?” Some questioned if politics was the sole reason, given her personal circumstances.

4. Eva Longoria

  • Destination: Spain and Mexico
  • Reason for Leaving: Longoria began splitting her time between Spain and Mexico in 2023, but Trump’s 2024 win solidified her exit from the U.S. She expressed dismay over the political direction, alongside broader concerns like homelessness and taxes in California.
  • Quote: In a Marie Claire interview, she said, “I’d already felt a change happening in the country before the COVID-19 pandemic, but then that pushed it over the edge… This chapter in my life is done now.”
  • Plans to Return: Longoria plans to maintain a Hollywood presence for work but has no intention of fully returning to live in the U.S.
  • Public Reaction: Her move drew sympathy from some, with a fan on X writing, “Eva’s right—America’s a dystopia now.” Others saw it as hypocritical, noting her wealth and global mobility.
  • (We reached out to Eva Longoria for comment and will update this article with any new statements or information)

5. Minnie Driver

  • Destination: London, United Kingdom
  • Reason for Leaving: After 27 years in Los Angeles, Driver returned to the U.K. in 2024. While not explicitly tied to Trump’s November win, she had previously indicated discomfort with living in a Republican-led state, suggesting political unease played a role.
  • Quote: In a July 2024 interview with The Times, she remarked, “If I lived in a red [Republican] state, no, I couldn’t [return]. But living in California, you are somewhat insulated.”
  • Plans to Return: No plans to return have been mentioned; she appears settled in London.
  • Public Reaction: Her move flew under the radar compared to others, with minimal public commentary beyond a few supportive fan posts on Instagram.

Did Tom Hanks Leave?

  • Status: No, Tom Hanks has not left the U.S. since Trump’s November 2024 election win.
  • Details: Despite social media rumors and a satirical post claiming Hanks pledged to leave if Trump won, no credible evidence supports this. Hanks, a known Democratic supporter who backed Harris and hosted Biden’s 2021 inauguration concert, has remained in the U.S. Past comments from 2016 about Trump’s first win were hyperbolic but never resulted in a move.
  • Public Reaction to Rumors: False claims about Hanks leaving sparked brief online buzz, with some Trump supporters jokingly saying, “Good riddance,” before the story was debunked.

Other Celebrities Who Threatened to Leave but Haven’t (Yet)

Several stars vowed to depart if Trump won but have not followed through as of March 29, 2025:

  • Cher: Promised to leave for Jupiter in 2016 and later said, “This time I will leave the country,” in a 2023 Guardian interview. No move has occurred.
  • Laverne Cox: Told Variety she’s researching European and Caribbean options due to fears for the trans community, but she remains in the U.S.
  • Sharon Stone: In July 2024, she told the Daily Mail, “I am certainly considering a house in Italy,” citing Trump’s “platform of hate.” No relocation yet.
  • America Ferrera: Reports suggested a move to the U.K., with a source telling Hello Magazine she’s “sick” of Trump’s re-election. She’s still in the U.S., though house-hunting rumors persist.

Why Are Celebrities Leaving?

The primary driver for these departures is political discontent following Trump’s 2024 victory. Issues like reproductive rights, gun violence, and equal rights dominate their stated reasons, often amplified by personal or family considerations. For some, like DeGeneres, the move also coincides with a desire to escape public scrutiny or past scandals.

Public Sentiment

Reactions vary widely:

  • Supportive Voices: Fans of these celebrities often applaud their principles, seeing their exits as a stand against Trump’s policies.
  • Critics: Others, including some Trump supporters, view it as elitist whining, with the White House assistant press secretary even quipping, “Good riddance!” to Business Insider.
  • Skeptics: Many doubt the permanence of these moves, recalling unfulfilled 2016 promises from stars like Miley Cyrus and Lena Dunham.

Since Trump’s November 2024 election win, confirmed departures include Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Rosie O’Donnell, Sophie Turner, Eva Longoria, and Minnie Driver. Tom Hanks remains in the U.S., despite rumors. While some celebrities cite explicit political reasons, others blend personal and ideological motives. Whether more will join them—or return—remains to be seen, but their moves have undeniably fueled public discourse. Stay tuned as this trend evolves, reflecting the intersection of fame, politics, and global mobility.

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