The entertainment industry has witnessed a significant trend in recent years, with numerous high-profile celebrities openly expressing their discomfort with the American political landscape. While many have been vocal critics of former President Donald Trump and his administration, a growing number have taken the drastic step of leaving the United States entirely. Their decisions are driven by a complex mix of political opposition, safety worries, family considerations, and a quest for a better quality of life, highlighting a profound sense of alienation among some of the biggest names in film, television, and music.
Political Discontent Driving Direct Relocations
For several celebrities, the choice to depart from the United States was explicitly linked to Donald Trump's re-election and broader concerns about governance and civil rights. Ellen DeGeneres confirmed that she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have permanently moved to the United Kingdom as a direct response to Trump's return to office. Initially planning only a short stay after her final comedy tour, the couple's plans changed upon arriving in the UK just before the election and waking up to messages about the results. Speaking at a live event in Cheltenham in July 2025, DeGeneres revealed that the outcome solidified their decision to remain abroad. She also expressed fears about potential reversals of gay marriage rights in the US, mentioning that she and de Rossi were considering remarrying in England if such changes occurred.
Rosie O'Donnell, a long-standing critic of Trump, relocated from the US to Ireland in early 2025 with her 12-year-old daughter and service dog, and is currently pursuing Irish citizenship. In a TikTok video from March 2025, O'Donnell described the political situation in America as heartbreaking, stating she would only return when equal rights were assured for all citizens. Similarly, filmmaker James Cameron, who has lived in New Zealand for 14 years, has no plans to move back to the US and hopes to gain New Zealand citizenship. On a podcast in February 2025, Cameron criticized what he saw as America's departure from its core values, warning that the country risked becoming hollow if it abandoned its historical principles.
Social Issues and Safety as Key Factors
Beyond direct political triggers, other celebrities cite a broader accumulation of social and safety concerns as reasons for their departure. Sophie Turner returned to the UK after living in the US during her marriage to Joe Jonas from 2019 to 2024. In interviews with Harper's Bazaar and British Vogue, Turner explained that issues like gun violence and the overturning of Roe v. Wade influenced her decision. She described feeling trapped in America and was deeply affected by the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, questioning how she could raise children in a country she believes prioritizes gun rights over the safety of women and children.
Eva Longoria has moved her family out of what she once called a dystopian United States, now dividing her time between Mexico and Spain. While acknowledging that work took her abroad, Longoria also noted that the atmosphere in the US felt different post-COVID, with Trump's re-election being among the factors in her decision.
Family Ties and Quality of Life Abroad
For some celebrities, relocation is primarily motivated by family needs and a desire for a different lifestyle, even as political concerns linger in the background. Richard Gere moved his family to Spain to allow his Spanish-born wife to be closer to her family, friends, and culture. Speaking in November 2024, Gere mentioned that the move would benefit their bilingual children. Although he did not cite Trump as the reason for leaving, he expressed belief that the US was heading in a very dark direction and emphasized the importance of staying engaged with American issues while living abroad.
Courtney Love, who has resided in the UK for several years, is now applying for British citizenship. While not directly attributing her move to Trump, she strongly criticized him and his administration at a March 2025 event in London, describing the political atmosphere as frightening and comparing it to an emperor-core culture focused on wealth and power. Robin Wright has been living and working in the UK for years, enjoying what she calls a greater freedom of self compared to the relentless rush and competition in America. She described the state of the US as deeply troubling, contrasting it with the calmer, kinder pace she experiences in the UK.
A Broader Trend in Hollywood
While many celebrities continue to critique American politics from within the country, this group represents those who have opted for a more decisive response. Whether driven by Trump's return to power, concerns over rights and safety, or a search for stability and balance, their moves underscore how political and social pressures can impact even the most privileged lives in Hollywood. This exodus reflects a growing sentiment of dislocation and a quest for environments that align more closely with personal values and well-being.
