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AMERICAN COMEDIAN ROSIE O’Donnell has said that she moved to Ireland from the US this year to “escape” Donald Trump, who she said “has it out” for her.
O’Donnell, an award-winning actress, made an appearance on RTÉ’s Late Late Show this evening, where she explained that she “couldn’t understand” why so many Americans supported Trump in the Presidential elections last year.
She described Trump as “a man with the personality of a teenage boy”.
Earlier this month, O’Donnell announced on social media that she had left the US to move to Ireland with her 12-year-old child in January.
Asked by Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty about the reasons for the move, Rosie bluntly replied: “The President of the United States has it out for me”.
O’Donnell added that Trump has disliked her “for 20 years” when she spoke out against him on daytime talk show The View.
“I mentioned his bankruptcies, I mentioned all the sexual assault charges, and I mentioned that he was not, in fact, the businessman that everyone thinks he is,” O’Donnell explained.
“He was very angry, and he hasn’t let it go – he uses me as a punchline whenever he feels the need”.
The comedian told Kielty that she is in the process of Irish citizenship, and has relocated with her children to Howth.
A day after O’Donnell announced that she would move to Ireland, her decision received some ridicule from Trump during his meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the White House.
A conservative commentator in the Oval Office asked Martin why he “allowed” O’Donnell to move to the country – to which the Taoiseach had no reply.
O’Donnell told Kielty that hearing her name mentioned during the Taoiseach’s visit was “very surreal”.
“I felt very troubled that they put the Taoiseach in that position and didn’t treat him with the respect he deserved,” O’Donnell said.
She added that she had “wrote to the Taoiseach with a little apology note”, and said that she had received a note back from Martin, thanking her for her message.
Rosie O’Donnell on Conor McGregor's visit to the Oval Office.#latelate pic.twitter.com/uSXrgcBudb
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) March 21, 2025
Asked for her thoughts on Conor McGregor’s recent visit to the White House, O’Donnell said: “It seems unusual to me that the President of the United States has so many friends that are sexual abusers”.
“It shows that (the US) is in trouble. To think that cruelty and lack of empathy in a value that is spouted from the highest office in our country is overwhelmingly sad to me,” O’Donnell said.
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Well said Rosie..
Nothing on the journal about the alleged Ukrainian car repairs being paid for by the Irish taxpayer ..
@frank dowling: go on then Frank, tell us the allegations …
@frank dowling: “alleged,” never happened more like, hence “alleged”.
@frank dowling: Ya Simon did a great job avoiding that question in the Dail with his usual “they’ve fleeing a war torn country, sure god help them. They make a great contribution to the economy” Talking over Ken O Flynn and saying you’re a dog whistler to him over and over again. Spineless.
@Luas Vuitton – Penneys Drag Queen: Way behind, Simon Harris has already confirmed it.
@frank dowling: unfortunately it seems that it’s a fact not an allegation.
@frank dowling:
CLAIMS by Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn and comments from A (ONE) garage owner, have circulated online. They assert that some payments for vehicle repairs have been made. However, these reports appear largely anecdotal and based on isolated examples rather than a systematic government policy.
Fact Check: Are Ukrainian Refugees Getting €7,000 for Car Repairs?
There’s been a claim that the Irish government is paying for car repairs – including a €7,000 engine replacement – for Ukrainian refugees. However, there’s no evidence of a widespread policy covering such expenses.
The government provides basic financial support to refugees under the
1. Temporary Protection scheme.
2. The Additional Needs Payment can help cover essential expenses, but car repairs are not standard under these supports.
3. Simon Harris has said there’s no policy for paying for widespread car repairs and warned against misinformation.
While isolated cases might exist, there’s no proof of a systematic programme funding expensive vehicle repairs. Let’s stick to the facts.
#FactCheck #Ireland #UkrainianRefugees
@Rafa C: So it’s just this one lad. Thanks for clearing that up nothing g to see here
@Rafa C: Isolated cases may exist at the moment because it hasn’t been widely spoke about. “But let me just say this” (to quote our fearless deputy), there’s not one Irish taxpayer getting their cars repaired by the state.
@Bryan: It’s fair to question government spending, but the key point here is evidence. Right now, there’s no verified proof that there’s a widespread policy of paying for car repairs for Ukrainian refugees. Even Simon Harris has said as much.
Yes, some isolated cases may exist, but without clear data, it’s misleading to suggest this is happening on a large scale. Also, the Irish taxpayer does get state help for unexpected costs through the Additional Needs Payment, which is available to anyone in financial hardship not just refugees.
If we’re going to debate this, let’s base it on facts, not assumptions.
@Rafa C: Fair enough Rafa, but I didnt suggest that it’s widespread policy or that it’s happening on a large scale. I’m saying that there’s no smoke without fire + while Simon + Michael are happy for us to act as Europe’s doormat that some people in this country actually expect a level of accountability for how these things are allowed to happen. Any additional needs payment would certainly not cover the cost of replacement of an engine in a car which is what this isolated case is highlighting specifically. Clear data means absolutely nothing in this country because we had clear data for children’s hospitals, bicycle sheds, security huts, x ray machines, e voting machines, the FAI, the HSE + RTÉ to mention a few. And absolutely nothing and I mean absolutely nothing has been done about it.
@Bryan: My point is that there’s a way of taking a leaders question on board but Simon patted it down and resorted to name calling which would suggest there’s some level of truth to it. Simon and his ilk have been in government while taxpayers money gets thrown around like confetti with no accountability and that’s not going to change anytime soon. And there certainly doesn’t seem to be any appetite in government to start investigating all of the things mentioned above and do something about it.
@Bryan: There’s no doubt they are flippant with our money. I’m as frustrated as you. But a comment by an independent TD and a garage owner is not smoke in my book. There are people of all sorts taking advantage of taxpayers money, politicians included. But to me this sounds like antiimigration rhetoric and twisting facts to suit a narrative.
@Bryan: You’re taking the word of people who have an agenda – and speculating without facts.
@Rafa C: it shouldn’t be phucking happening at all, even if it’s only one case for phuck sake, take harris’s langer out of your mouth will ya for one minute!
@den: but there’s no evidence of it happening at all. Idiotic rhetoric all the time from people that take a story and run with it and it’s not evening happening
@frank dowling: these rumors are probably based on the Motorised Transport Grant, the department of social protection may pay for modifying cars of eligible disabled people, for example, if a wheelchair user needs to be able to operate their car using hands only, the motorised transport grant will pay for the car’s modifications.
It’s possible there’s a handful of disabled Ukranians in Ireland who qualify for this grant. If there is, it’s also possible some are injured war veterans.
Oh no, trump minions be along to hate on her because she told the truth about his bankruptcies, they angry and offended
@Housing Hunger Games: He’s worth over 4 billion dollars. Get over it.
@Eric Gaffney: oh no, agro is picking up for a billionaire, you come from NOTHING lol. She told the truth get over it agro YOU GOT NO SEATS
@Eric Gaffney: And for some reason, here you are fighting for your life in the comments defending him. What an absolute sap.
@Jason Memail: Not fighting for my life, merely telling you phucktards I disagree with you.
@Eric Gaffney: After inheriting 750,000,000 from Daddy over 30 years ago. The guy is a disaster.
@Jason Memail: forelock tugger, foreskin tugger – these Trump boxroom trolls are to be pitied. But let’s take the piss out of them first
@Louis Jacob: Maybe,I’m no trump fan,but he still got elected president twice,to look at him as the disaster is to easy,the reasons why people voted for him is the real disaster.
@Eric Gaffney: see how many people agree with me? Pathetic Tate incel
@Eric Gaffney: His Daddy left him about 4 billion…adjusted for inflation that equates to a massive loss…and he’s the only known person on earth to go bankrupt as a casino owner….some businessman he is eh?
@Pat O Dwyer: why do you lie? He wasn’t left that much at all.
@Eric Gaffney: he owes a lot more than that, technically broke!!
@Eric Gaffney: So money is all that matters ?
@Eric Gaffney: oops you seem to have mammy issues
@Eric Gaffney: he owes a lot more then 4 billion in depts. ????
@Eric Gaffney: he may have assets worth $4bn but he is about the most worthless human being that every drew breath
@Eric Gaffney: the resident coolock says no sponger
We just brought an American version of our own woke who were freaked out by garron noone. €750 million for this entertainment :/
@Trevor Beacom: People didn’t like what he said and spoke out. That’s the free speech you guys no f all about. He took it down himself; also his prerogative. Funnily enough, if you read what he said and understood it, it wasn’t all that controversial and was mostly critical of The Babba in Chief.
@Louis Jacob: Everything he said was reasonable. It’s okay to be nonplussed with FFGL ‘s immigration/integration policies. It doesn’t make you racist. Garron is a nice chap and I’m glad SF, II and Aontú are supporting him
@Louis Jacob: he took it down because he was being bullied and being doxed….he was hounded for his take and people didnt like the answer he gave…so does that give anyone the right to behave like the way they did??? by me anyone who did bully him and dox him deserve to be arrested and punished because and i ask this honestly…how do you think his mental health is now at this time?? do you come across to think that its only an opinion? everyone is entitled to one…you may not like it but its not a reason to bully and dox someone because of it…shame on anyone who took part in it
@Trevor Beacom: We didn’t bring anyone. Rosie decided to leave America for her own reasons, and came to what she knows to be her ancestorial home. Nothing wrong with someone packing up sticks if not happy with their situation. Like anyone can do, anytime they like, and seek a better life somewhere else. You can do it, I can do it, and Rosie is completely free to live where she chooses.
Twisting this into a dig at Garron Noone and RTE costs is a bizarre take and has nothing really to do with Rosie being targeted by Trump for harassment for over 20 years because she reported the truth on him that he has taken a personal vendetta to make her life hell, and it worked, she had to leave her friends and family and come to Ireland to get away from his hate.
That speaks more towards what a horrible person Trump is and nothing to do with Garron Noone or the costs of RTE.
I never heard of her before trump mentioned her.
However, I respect what she said about the orange psychopath.
@A D: the Simpsons and Fresh Prince of Bel Air used to take the P out of her in the 90′s non stop…
@A D: neither had the lads slating her.
Putin says that Comrade Trump is doing a great job for the Motherland
We’ve enough woke plonkers of our own. Trump, take her back.
@Unridden Ana: Trump’s first month:
Fired whistle-blower protection office heads of the National Labor Relations Board, U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.
Fired the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who protected US citizen from bank and online scams, and he ordered Consumer Financial Protection Bureau staffers to stop most work
Fired 18 inspectors general – Inspectors General (IGs) were independent officials within the U.S. federal government responsible for identifying and investigating financial fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct
Shut down the criminal investigation of New York’s Democrat Mayor, Eric Adams, who swore loyalty to Trump; Adams was investigated for receiving bribes from Turkey, and removing oversight of banks that resulted in them lending money to hard up military veterans at extreme interest rates, he then blocked 38 investigations of these corrupt banks
Fired the head of Transportation Security Administration
Fired the head of the Coast Guard
Set up DOGE under questionable legal circumstances and gave the world’s richest man, including a literal teenager (19 years old Edward Corisitine) access to sensitive Treasury data i.e. the financial records of competing companies and all Americans
Moved to dismantle USAID – HIV medications no longer reaching millions of HIV positive adults and children(see: US aid freeze puts HIV-positive orphans in Kenya at risk as medical supplies dwindle), US farmers no longer paid for surplus grain
Imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court for their investigation of Israeli war crimes
Espoused plans to expel all 2.4 million Palestinian from Gaza and for the US to rule Gaza like a Kingdom (included posting video of post US invaded Gaza with a giant gold statue of Trump)
Said wants to annex Canada, Greenland and Panama, and he’s willing to order military invasions to achieve this.
Repeated Russian propaganda re. Ukraine
Pardoned all Jan. 6 rioters, including armed neo-Nazis, The Proud Boys
Fired 24+ Department of Justice prosecutors – primarily targeted prosecutors who worked on the January 6 Capitol riot and other investigations concerning the criminal actions of the President
Demanded and eventually got the names and details of 6,000 FBI agents involved in investigating Jan 6th rioters, who may be sacked or demoted.
Revoked federal security protections of his enemies:
John Bolton: Former National Security Adviser
Mike Pompeo: Former Secretary of State
Brian Hook: Former U.S. Special Representative for Iran
General Mark Milley: Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Antony Blinken: Former Secretary of State
Jake Sullivan: Former National Security Adviser
Mark Esper: Former Secretary of Defence
John Brennan: Former CIA Director, as well as 50 other former CIA officials
Dr. Anthony Fauci: Former Director of NIAID who led the U.S. COVID-19 response
Called himself King and declared himself incapable of breaking the law
And this month, the clown show continues:
He closed Voice of America, Radio Marti, VOA Farsi, Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe, set up during WWII to counter Nazi propaganda, VOI was by law meant to provide unbiased and objective reporting, which thin-skinned Trump hated because it told the truth about him.
See: ‘Discarded like a dirty rag’: Chinese state media hails Trump’s cuts to Voice of America
He’s also trying to close the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Education Department (to dumb down America)
The general pattern of closure and downsizing of the Federal Government fits that pattern of the removing institutions that oppose the concentration of fascist power by the President, and I really do mean fascist power.
And today, to top it all off and illustrate just how erratic, psychologically unfit and easily manipulated Trump is, today he stated his wish that the US join the British Commonwealth i.e. Keir Starmer stroked Trumps ego too much when he met Trump at the Whit House and invited him to meet King Charles
Sweet Jesus,
That’s some mouthfull.
@David Jordan: Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, and on, have all done most of what you stated. What’s the problem?
@David Jordan: ain’t nobody got time for that
@Unridden Ana: Trump has undertaken sweeping authoritarian-style actions aimed at consolidating personal power and dismantling oversight. He’s fired or replaced watchdogs, inspectors general, whistleblower protection heads, and civil rights agency leaders. He shut down major investigations (e.g., into Eric Adams), defunded foreign aid (like HIV support), sanctioned the International Criminal Court, pardoned rioters, and revoked protections for former officials critical of him. Furthermore, he openly considered military invasions of Canada, Greenland, and Panama, repeated Russian propaganda, and closed institutions providing independent journalism. Finally, he declared himself above the law and appears increasingly psychologically erratic.
Overall Pattern: Systematic dismantling of democratic checks and balances, expansion of personal power, alignment with authoritarian regimes, and erratic behaviour.
And no, “Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, and on”, never did anything like this, at this scale, even if you merge every questionably thing they all did into one, it would be a shadow of what Trump did in just a few months!
Specifically, and it is important to point out, his unprecedented actions required the Supreme Court last year declaring he President immune from criminal prosecution, Agenda 2025 and radical constitutional attorneys and lawyers who espouse Unitary Executive Theory (President holds comprehensive authority over the executive branch, asserting that all executive power resides solely with the President)
@Oh Mammy: Your comment is completely inaccurate
While past some previous presidents may have pushed the boundaries of their executive powers to a degree, no previous president comes anywhere close to the scale and systematic abuse of power Trump displays.
Yes, there were some isolated dismissals e.g., Reagan fired 16 Inspectors General with 5 reinstated, Obama fired Walpin, but these are not in any way comparable to Trump’s record-breaking purge of dozens of Inspectors General, watchdog heads, and civil rights agency leaders, in such a short space of time.
Trump is:
Undermining oversight bodies (DOJ purges, Inspector General dismissals) – Unprecedented in scale
Punishing or Rewarding loyalty e.g., dismissing prosecutors or watchdogs seen as personally disloyal to Trump, or ending criminal prosecutions in return for direct political favours – Unprecedented
Revenge against political enemies (revoking security, and blocking criminal investigations) – Unprecedented
Centralising his power (closures of education, broadcasting, foreign aid, and currently an attempted closure of a peace institution) – Unprecedented
These are the obvious hallmarks of an authoritarian leader, a textbook definition of fascist power consolidation.
Today, I read that federal judges in the US face unpresented security threats, hoax bomb threats, swatting, calls for violence; intimidation of the judiciary (and press) of this kind and scale is typically seen in undemocratic regimes.
I can cite reputable sources to prove this vast pattern of authoritarian behaviour, from Reuters, NPR, CNN, Politico, The Guardian, Time Times, New York Times etc.
You provided nothing of substance, just a pointless post that people thoughtlessly upvoted, a nothing that ignores the US’ slide into despotism and fascism.
It takes someone with some moral backbone to see what is happening here, who has honesty and integrity to cal it what it is.
@David Jordan: TDS personified.
@David Jordan: no need to for the Gettysburg address, you got to be kidding me with all that, do you even know it’s raining out.
@Anthony Mulligan: ffs
The righty filth are out in force here with this one.
@Leonard Barry: A shower of russian bots agreeing with donald.
@Leonard Barry: “bad pie”
I appreciate she moved here for her daughter’s sake. Unfortunately Trump president is making American into the new North Korea, no human rights, no supports, government rule can defy court orders.
America in serious trouble and now some of the population have woken up. The only one happy is Putin.
Toxic Masculinity in the comments so far as per. Pathetic
@Patricia Cautley: What do expect from a bunch of minions?
@Patricia Cautley: Low-T, small dick energy from Mammy’s boxroom manosphere incelbois while she’s down at Costcutter getting their Huggies. The Calpol will kick in soon.
All the Musk and Trump fanboys hating on a lady who told the truth about the tangoed freak! Lads, go back to your McGregor and Tate threads on X. Actually, don’t. It gives all us norms the chance to mute your sad asses.
Typical RTE .. couldn’t wait to bring us another bitter whinging privileged Yank to bore the face off us about their election ….unable to accept that bright intelligent ununderstandable Kamala just didn’t connect with the majority of her countrymen and voted accordingly.
Wait so she can slag off trump but when he does it back he’s in the wrong?
@Damien Leahy: when has trump ever faced any consequences for slagging anyone?
@Setanta O’Toole: well he’s been all over the media for the last 8 or 9 years, haven’t you noticed?
@Damien Leahy: yeah, it’s almost like he’s been the president twice or something.
@Setanta O’Toole: ya he’s only started his second term genius
@Damien Leahy: She did not slag him though, she told the truth about him. Trump slags her, which is completely different, which are lies and dangerous to her character.
Saying the truth about someone is different than slagging.
@Damien Leahy: Have you ever heard the phrase ‘power imbalance? It’s like when I call you a sìlly person, and you and your three heavyweight friends beat me to a pulp. Do you understand now?
@Damien Leahy: my point was, everything he says is deemed to be newsworthy. A journalist giving out about him mocking someone isn’t an actual consequence. You should check out some of the right wing media in America and what they say about his detractors.
@Nick Vasilakis: she fetch beat up? She lose any rights? No then jog on
They’ve brought Roisin Connolly on now to tell Patrick how great Ireland is and what a great bunch of people we are, having just asked Rosie to tell Patrick how great Ireland is and what a great bunch of people we are. Jesus wept.
@Bryan: I believe her name is Conaty.
Did Kielty ask Rosie about her drug addict daughter at all?
In September 2024 Chelsea was arrested on charges involving child neglect, domestic abuse, maintaining a drug trafficking facility, possession of methamphetamine, illegally obtaining prescriptions and drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor possession of THC after her 11 month old child was found in a house filled with crack pipes, feces and garbage.
@RP McGuinness: So we’re responsible for the actions of our adult children now, are we? Welcome to Trump world.
@RP McGuinness: poor child, hope the little one is ok :(
@RP McGuinness: He didn’t, if all that is true then it would probably ruin the Trump wants me out story. She’s fleeing political persecution which entitles her to seek asylum in Éire.
I knew it was going to be one big woke trump hating fest. Ah Rosie you’re really not important in anyway shape or form.
They did not put Michael Martin in that position. You did, Rosie with your well timed attention seeking timing of your dramatic announcement.
When you bad mouth someone, you should be careful it doesn’t come back to bite you !!
Trump is right about one thing. There are only 2 sexes.
@Roberto del pedro: howabout the unfortunate individuals that are born with both male and female genitalia?
@donal O’brien: How many sexes is that Donal?
Was Rosie been a bit racists when she said Trump has the personality of an !8 year old boy What does she mean Will she have to apply for a visa to live in Ireland or will she be treated like another asylum seeker
@oliver kelleher: to define trump, he’s sees no issue with men degrading women, fraud, disabled people he has very little conscience consideration for them.
He is a child in a man’s body who tonight lied to reporters and blamed Mr Rubio for an Order Trump signed.
@oliver kelleher: Her grandmother was born here apparently. All she has to do is apply for her passport.
@oliver kelleher: 18 year old boys are not a race.
She’s entitled to apply for a passport and live here under the granny rule.
She’s right about Trump.
Trump can fupp himself but her fellow citizens elected him. So deal with it there. Moving to Ireland in a performance because you’re loaded and have a livestyle that enables it is white woman privilege on steroid. She’ll still continue to file US taxes on a worldwide income and pay anything due to fund his administration. Just cop on and go home.
Who cares
@T – TED Teddy: you by the look of it. You clicked on the story and also posted a comment. That’s all the analytics will show, 100% engagement.
@T – TED Teddy: We might get a South Park episode.
Ok…is “having it out for her” the same as “having it in for her”? As we would say here? Just asking for a friend!!
@Deirdre Moffat: have heard people use ‘having it out’ for someone too, not as widely used as ‘having it in’ though.
Well after reading you lot’s comments it seems Ireland doesn’t know what to think or do with this auld biddy, but boy did she take a round out of trump on the show, this could increase tariffs on the auld sod.
Is she renting in Howth, because she’ll run back to America in 4 years and forget she was ever here.
Ireland has always been a country of ‘who you know’. And how rich you are It’s sickening she comes in and leapfrogs Irish children waiting on services some of them waiting five years now
You are welcome sweetheart. Stay as long as you want.
@Calvin Marah: I presume she baught a house here so all the rich who’s Granny’s were born here can come buy houses no problem then we wonder why the housing crisis is so bad
@Sheila McNulty: She’s renting. Nice rental though.
I thought she was really good in the Toxic Avenger
It was the press that brought her up to MM, not The Don.
Can someone ask this lady to talk about her own personal life.
Who is she? A superstar? Never heard of her. I may have spent too much time watching Tom and Jerry!
“Taxpayer money can be used for car repairs for eligible persons, including Ukrainian refugees, the Department of Social Protection has confirmed to Gript.”
WHERE’S THE MUSIC
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