Actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell recently had a surprising moment when her name came up during a meeting between Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin and former President Donald Trump in the White House. It was during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations when a reporter asked Martin about O’Donnell’s move from the U.S. to Ireland. The question had a playful jab, suggesting her presence might lower happiness levels in Ireland.
In response, Trump found humor in the question, but O’Donnell felt concerned that Martin was put in such an awkward situation. She believes Trump has used her as a “punchline” for years, especially since she openly criticized him on the talk show “The View.” Reflecting on her experience, she said, “He’s been doing it for two decades, and I’m still not used to it.”
O’Donnell, who moved to Ireland in January, mentioned feeling troubled by how the Taoiseach was treated. She later reached out to Martin to apologize for the unexpected situation, wanting him to understand the context behind Trump’s comments about her.
In a recent interview on “The Late, Late Show,” O’Donnell expressed how she found Trump’s second term unsettling, especially with the Supreme Court now aligned with him, granting him more power. During her stay in the U.S. amid Trump’s presidency, she experienced anxiety about the political climate, leading her to create a plan with her therapist to move to Ireland if Trump were to be re-elected.
She shared that since arriving in Ireland, she has felt a sense of belonging. “It’s really felt like home,” she said. O’Donnell has Irish roots, as her grandparents were from Ireland, which adds a personal connection to her new life there.
This situation reflects a broader trend of how celebrities, particularly those who speak out against political figures, often find themselves in the crosshairs of public commentary. Recent surveys show that a significant number of Americans (over 60% according to a Gallup poll) feel that celebrity opinions can significantly influence political discourse.
For O’Donnell, her move seems to symbolize more than just a relocation; it represents a deeper search for safety and comfort in an increasingly divided political landscape.
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