Jimmy Kimmel, the sharp-tongued heart of late-night television, is seriously contemplating a permanent departure from the United States. His growing disillusionment with the current political climate under President Trump suggests he could become the latest high-profile figure to seek refuge abroad.
Kimmel recently revealed he secured Italian citizenship, providing a tangible escape route. “I did get Italian citizenship, I do have that,” Kimmel stated bluntly in an interview. “What’s going on is as bad as you thought it was gonna be. It’s so much worse, it’s just unbelievable.” His words underscore a deep-seated frustration with the trajectory of the nation. He also expressed empathy for former Trump supporters reconsidering their stance: “If you wanna change your mind, that’s so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that’s hard and so rare to do, you are welcome.”
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Kimmel’s potential move isn’t isolated. It reflects a broader trend among prominent figures feeling alienated during Trump’s second term. Kimmel himself recently participated in an anti-Trump protest with his family, visibly demonstrating his opposition. This stance has drawn direct fire from the Oval Office. During an interview, President Trump hinted at repercussions for late-night hosts, specifically naming Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. Trump suggested they, like Howard Stern (whom he claimed faced consequences for controversial remarks), were “next,” dismissing their work by stating they had “no talent.”
Jimmy Kimmel floats plan to ‘flee Trump presidency’ using Italian citizenship
‘I did get Italian citizenship, I do have that. What’s going on is as bad as you thought it was gonna be.’ pic.twitter.com/pMKhtQH1lP
— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) August 11, 2025
Following a Well-Trodden Path
Kimmel would join a growing list of celebrities who have relocated since Trump’s re-election. Last year, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi moved to the Cotswolds region of England. More recently, in March 2025, Rosie O’Donnell announced she and her child had relocated to Ireland. O’Donnell cited the political situation as “personally devastating.” Trump later responded to O’Donnell’s move by threatening to revoke her citizenship and labelling her a “threat to humanity.” These high-profile exits provide a stark precedent Kimmel appears ready to follow.
The potential departure of Jimmy Kimmel underscores the deep political and cultural divisions fracturing America. His Italian citizenship offers a tangible escape hatch from a climate he finds increasingly untenable, fueled by direct criticism from the highest office. If Kimmel follows through, he won’t just be leaving a TV studio; he’ll be making a powerful statement about the state of the nation under the Trump Presidency. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Must Know
- Why might Jimmy Kimmel leave the US?
Kimmel has expressed profound frustration with the current political climate under President Trump, calling the situation “so much worse” than anticipated and “unbelievable.” He cited this disillusionment as a key reason for exploring life abroad. - What enables Jimmy Kimmel to move to Italy?
Kimmel recently secured Italian citizenship. This legal status grants him the right to live and work in Italy without needing a visa, providing a direct pathway to leave the United States if he chooses. - Has President Trump commented on Jimmy Kimmel?
Yes. President Trump has directly criticized Kimmel, suggesting he and other late-night hosts like Jimmy Fallon would soon lose their jobs and claiming they had “no talent.” These remarks came during an Oval Office interview. - Have other celebrities left the US during Trump’s presidency?
Yes. Kimmel would not be the first. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi moved to England’s Cotswolds region last year. Earlier in 2025, Rosie O’Donnell relocated to Ireland, citing the political climate as “personally devastating.” - What did Jimmy Kimmel say about changing political views?
Kimmel expressed sympathy for individuals who once supported Trump but have since changed their minds. He acknowledged the difficulty of admitting being wrong, stating, “If you wanna change your mind, that’s so hard to do… you are welcome.”