Many famous names threatened to leave the first time, but as the president chips away at more liberties, plenty are plotting their escapeThe first time that Donald Trump ran for president, plenty of people talked about leaving the United States if he won. Some were at least halfway joking; some were engaging in hyperbolic tough talk – jokes soured and bluffs unexpectedly called by Trump’s chilling 2016 victory. But even those with the means to hastily relocate mostly stayed put as the shock gradually wore off and plenty of high-profile celebrities lent their voices to protesting against the administration’s various policies (or, doing the celebrity version: making fun of administration oddballs through shaky impressions on the Saturday Night Live cold open). The message was clear: we aren’t actually going anywhere; we’re staying and fighting (or just trying to get through the day). Maybe some people still thought about leaving the country – I know a few who sincerely looked into Can...
Following Donald Trump's second presidential victory in 2024, some celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, are leaving the U.S., with a 40% increase in Americans seeking British citizenship. This contrasts with the initial reaction to Trump's first election, where many celebrities stayed to protest. The current exodus is attributed to exhaustion, fear, and the administration's focus on remaking the government, coupled with concerns about the erosion of rights for certain groups.
