Rosie O’Donnell says her autistic daughter is upset and holds Trump responsible for leaving the US

Rosie O’Donnell’s autistic daughter speaks out against Trump

Rosie O’Donnell recently revealed her 12-year-old autistic child’s frustration during an appearance on The Jim Acosta Show. The comedian shared how her daughter expressed anger toward President Trump for their family’s relocation to Ireland.

O’Donnell moved to Ireland in January 2025 before Trump’s second inauguration. Her daughter Clay holds the president responsible for their move, viewing it as a necessary escape for safety.

Daughter’s powerful statement blames Trump directly

“My daughter is now saying, ‘Damn him, Damn Trump,’ and smashing her hand on the table,” O’Donnell recalled. She described her daughter’s intense emotional frustration about their family’s challenging situation.

“He made us move for our own safety and he’s destroying the country,” her daughter boldly stated. This raw emotional outburst deeply reveals how political tensions impact American families nationwide.

How O’Donnell’s family ended up leaving America

O’Donnell had publicly vowed to leave the United States if Trump secured a second term in office. Following his election victory over Kamala Harris in November 2024, she immediately executed her relocation plan.

On January 15, 2025, just days before Trump’s inauguration, she moved to Ireland with her youngest child. Her four adult children, including Parker, Chelsea, Blake, and Vivienne, remained in America.

Irish heritage made the international relocation possible

O’Donnell could legally relocate to Ireland because her grandparents were Irish citizens with documented heritage. This birthright citizenship eligibility through her family lineage made Ireland her ideal international destination.

By October, she formally began the official process of obtaining her full Irish citizenship. This major life decision felt natural given her deep family heritage and America’s current political circumstances.

Two decades of tension between O’Donnell and Trump

The conflict between Rosie and Trump began in 2006 when she appeared on The View and criticized his handling of a Miss USA scandal. Over the years, Trump repeatedly attacked her on social media and during public appearances.

Throughout his first presidency, O’Donnell faced street confrontations and public hostility from Trump supporters. This escalating animosity motivated her relocation decision when he secured victory in 2024.

Trump threatened to revoke O’Donnell’s citizenship

In July 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social, threatening to remove O’Donnell’s U.S. citizenship entirely. He claimed she was not in the best interests of the country, according to his statement.

Constitutional experts noted Trump lacked legal authority to unilaterally revoke citizenship without congressional approval. Despite this legal reality, the threat intensified O’Donnell’s security concerns and strengthened her resolve significantly.

White House spokesperson responds to O’Donnell’s statements

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson publicly criticized O’Donnell’s recent interview statements during The Jim Acosta Show appearance. She characterized her remarks as indicative of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Jackson told Fox News Digital that it was “better for the country that she decided to move away.” When O’Donnell announced her Irish citizenship application, Jackson remarked, “What great news for America!”

Ireland experience described as positive despite challenges

O’Donnell has shared warm reflections about her Irish experience, calling it “pretty wonderful” despite the cold climate. She praised Irish people for being “so loving and kind and welcoming” to her family.

The transition hasn’t been without difficulty, as she deeply misses her four other children in Los Angeles. O’Donnell continues to express gratitude for the Irish community while navigating family separation.

Understanding Clay’s autism and emotional response

Clay, O’Donnell’s autistic child, has acute sensitivity to political changes and significant environmental shifts worldwide. The combination of being uprooted from America and witnessing ongoing political turmoil intensified their powerful emotional reaction.

O’Donnell acknowledged that Clay’s autism directly influenced the intensity of their response to the family’s move. However, she emphasized that her daughter clearly recognizes what’s happening regarding America’s current political situation.

Missing daughter’s college graduation

O’Donnell made a heartbreaking decision to skip her adult daughter’s college graduation in 2025 due to security concerns. She explained that her security team advised against returning for the significant family event.

The security team warned that O’Donnell’s presence could “rile Trump’s base” and potentially incite confrontations. This sacrifice highlights how Trump’s rhetoric has tangibly separated families during crucial milestones.

O’Donnell pursues advocacy work from Ireland

While living in Ireland, O’Donnell created a meaningful documentary called Unleashing Hope, focusing on service dogs helping children with autism. The project aired on Hulu and aligns with her autism advocacy.

O’Donnell has continued making public appearances through The Jim Acosta Show and other platforms regularly. From Ireland, she remains an active voice in American political discourse despite physical distance.

Conditions required for O’Donnell’s return to America

O’Donnell stated publicly and consistently that she would not return until it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights in America. She emphasized this was not permanent exile but conditional on systemic change.

This vision extends beyond personal safety to encompassing broader democratic and constitutional protections for all citizens. Her family’s relocation represents a powerful statement about America’s current state of freedoms.

If you thought that was intense, her latest claims about being warned not to return to the US take the story even further.

Rosie joins other celebrities in leaving America

O’Donnell’s move to Ireland places her alongside other celebrities who have left due to serious political concerns about America’s direction. Figures like Richard Gere and Ellen DeGeneres also relocated internationally after Trump’s presidency began.

The pattern reflects how Trump’s polarizing presidency influences celebrity decisions about personal safety and residency. O’Donnell’s story resonates with millions of Americans questioning their own futures in the country.

And the tension doesn’t stop there, as Trump’s latest threat to revoke her citizenship adds a whole new layer to the feud.

Tell us your take in the comments if you’ve been following this Rosie–Trump drama.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.