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When Donald Trump first launched his campaign in 2015, many were vocal about how unnerving, unsettling, and ultimately upsetting the idea of his presidency was. A few of them even vowed that if Trump won, they would pack their bags, shut up shop, and leave the United States. As elections approached, both this time and last, a star-studded list of celebs pledged to make their grand exit if he stepped into the Oval Office.
With Trump’s win in the 2024 elections and a return to the White House just a few months away, some of these figures yet again seem to be weighing their options. Let’s look at the promises, protests, poignant words, and the final decisions of 14peepswho considered saying goodbye to the USA if Trump took office.
American R&B singer Ne-Yo didn’t mince words in 2016, expressing that he’d move to Canada if Trump won the election.“Me and Drake gonna be neighbors,”he joked, fed up with what he saw as an abundance of ignorance. Ne-Yo had previously expressed toTMZsaying,
Me and Drake gonna be neighbors if Donald Trump becomes president. The unfortunate thing about this planet is that we are in no shortage of ignorance.
While his plans sounded serious, Ne-Yo never made the jump to Canada, and, in fact, he did the opposite. The singer settled into a new home in Los Angeles in 2017 – so much for Canadian winters and ice hockey.
2. Miley Cyrus
When it comes to putting one’s thoughts out,Miley Cyrusis no stranger to bold takes. Back in 2016, the singer and actor declared on Instagram that she would leave the U.S. if Trump became president.“Honestly f*** this s*** I am moving if this is my president! I don’t say things I don’t mean!” she posted on Instagram in 2016.
While Miley’s reaction was intense, she ultimately stayed in the States. As she’s been open about her love for L.A., it seems unlikely she’ll be leaving any time soon — even with Trump back in office in 2024. Guess there’s moreParty in the USAleft to be done.
3Lena Dunham
Girlscreator and star Lena Dunham also jumped on the“I’ll move to Canada”bandwagon in 2016. She told Andy Cohen that she’d relocate to Vancouver if Trump won, even saying she already knew a“lovely place”there and could still get her work done. But when Trump won, Lena changed her tune, writing on Instagram that she’d stay in the U.S. to‘fight and live.’
While she didn’t head to Canada, Lena eventually left America and moved to London with her husband in 2021. Though she didn’t follow through on her original Canadian plans, she has indeed crossed the pond. While talking about the Trump situation toThe Hollywood Reporter, shesaid,
I know a lot of people have been threatening to do this, but I really will … I know a lovely place in Vancouver and I can get my work done from there.
AfterDonald Trumpwas elected in November 2016, Dunham also clarified that her earlier comments about moving to Canada were just a joke, saying:
It’s easy to joke about moving to Canada. It’s harder to see, and to love, the people who fill your mailbox with hate… but I’m willing to try.
Rather notably, when Cohen asked her in the same conversation what she would do if she woke up as a man one day, Dunham while laughing, succinctly said,“Kill myself!”
4. George Lopez
Comedian George Lopez made his feelings about Trump clear even before he won the presidency. In 2015, he expressed that he’d join the “mass exodus” of Americans if Trump became president.
Lopez quipped,“If [Trump] wins, he won’t have to worry about immigration, we’ll all go back.”Despite his fiery rhetoric, however, Lopez didn’t leave. Instead, he continued his work in Hollywood, even creatingLopez vs. Lopez, a project with his daughter.
In a strange turn of events though, by October 2024, Lopez hinted at retiring from stand-up. Could he be preparing for a quieter life away from the U.S. now that Trump is back in the big chair? Lopez clarified toDeadline,
It is the last one. I’ve subjected the American people to enough of my crap. It seems like the right time, it’s been the one thing that has just never left me my whole life and it’s a wonderful place to leave it at this particular point.
5Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handlertook her potential move more seriously than most, actually buying a house abroad“just in case.”In a 2016 appearance onLive with Kelly and Michael, she announced her plans, saying,
All of these people that threaten to leave the country and then don’t, I will leave the country.
After Trump’s win, however, it seems Handler had a change of heart. She decided to stay in America, where she felt she could use her platform to advocate for change. Since then, she’s continued to speak out on issues she cares about, both on social media and her talk shows, so her plan to leave was more of a temporary scare than an actual exit.
6. John Legend & Chrissy Teigen
Superstar couple John Legend and Chrissy Teigen didn’t outright say they’d leave, but they hinted that they’d at least consider it.“If America chooses to be that place then people will have to start thinking about going somewhere else. It is truly disturbing and concerning,”said John while discussing Donald Trump.Speaking toCosmopolitan, Legend further admitted,
Every once in a while you think about it. We were born and raised here, all of our families are here. It would be hard to leave. But I don’t know what one’s supposed to do when you have a leader who is trying to destroy democracy.
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Though they weren’t thrilled about Trump’s presidency in 2016, they ended up staying in the U.S., where both have continued their activism. Legend, moreover, was particularly vocal during Kamala Harris’ 2024 campaign, suggesting that they may consider their options again with Trump’s second win. But for now, their roots are firmly planted in the States.
7Raven-Symonè
Raven-Symoné went a step further with her plans to move to Canada, taking an actual“Canadian readiness test”onThe View. The test included ice hockey lessons to prepare her for the big move.
But, it seems the lessons were just for laughs and gags, as Raven stayed put in the U.S. She even went on to launchRaven’s Home, aThat’s So Ravenspinoff, later in 2016. So, no maple syrup or chilly Canadian winters for Raven — her promise was more of a fun“what if”than a serious relocation plan.
8. Barbra Streisand
The iconicBarbra Streisanddidn’t hold back her feelings in 2016 – and why should she? She had previously said that she would consider moving to Canada or Australia if Trump won. Although she didn’t follow through back then, she’s still mulling over a potential move.
In 2023 too, she told Stephen Colbert onThe Late Showthat she’d seriously think about leaving for England if Donald Trump took office again,saying“I can’t live in this country if he becomes president.”So far, though, she’s still stateside, perhaps keeping a watchful eye on the situation.
9. Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer– a name that brings to mind an open, almost fearless willingness to discuss taboo subjects like body image, dating, and sexuality naturally did not fancy a Trump presidency either.
While speaking about Trump, she joked that she would need to start learning Spanish because she’d move to Spain if Trump won. Shetold the BBCin 2016,
My act will change because I’ll need to learn to speak Spanish because I will move to Spain, or somewhere. It’s beyond my comprehension if Trump won. It’s too crazy.
After Trump was elected in 2016, however, Schumer reflected on her previous statements and added,
Anyone saying pack your bags is just as disgusting as anyone who voted for this racist homophobic openly disrespectful woman abuser.
Amy stayed in the U.S., settling into life in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Like many other celebrities on this list, her plans to move seemed more about expressing shock than an actual plan to leave.
10. Bryan Cranston
Breaking BadandMalcolm in the MiddlestarBryan Cranstonwas as candid asTrumboabout his opposition to a Trump presidency in 2016, telling theBestseller Experimentpodcast he’d definitely move,stating,
Absolutely. I would definitely move. It’s not real to me that that would happen. I hope to God it won’t. It wouldn’t be a vacation. I’d be an expatriate.
Cranston still hasn’t left, but in 2023, he did tellIndieWirehe plans to retire in France by 2026 – at the ripe age of 70. Talking about his plans to retire, hesaid,
I want to have that experience. I want to go for day trips and have the fire in the fireplace and drink wine with new friends and not read scripts
Trump’s second win might just fast-track those plans, especially with Cranston’s long-standing desire for taking a chance, not knowing, and a quieter life abroad.
Cher had previously given one of the most dramatic responses to Trump’s 2016 campaign, saying she’d head to Jupiter if he won. Of course, moving to Jupiter is no joke, but it is perhaps a hyperbole to express her opposition.
In a 2023 interview withThe Guardian, Cher hinted that she was serious this time around,saying,“I almost got an ulcer the last time.”She further added“If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave [the country].”For now, though, Cher remains in the U.S., though her comments have left fans wondering if the 78-year-old has plans of actually taking off.
12. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldbergwas very open about her concerns over Trump’s leadership in 2016, saying she’d consider leaving if he won. On the road to the 2024 elections, Goldberg had some subtle suggestions for Trump after he called her“dirty”and labeled her fellowThe Viewco-hosts“dumb”in a rally. On an episode ofThe View, the panelists made a playful jab by walking out to Christina Aguilera’s song“Dirrty.”
So, we walked out to ‘Dirrty’ by Christina Aguilera because it’s one of the words that you-know-who used when he was talking about me and the rest of us.
Whoopi, who had asked voters to keep their buttholes clutched in election lines, still refers to Trump as“you-know-who”instead of by name.The Viewalso recently aired its first episode since Donald Trump’s win in the 2024 presidential election, and the cast seemed to mark the occasion with a poignant fashion statement showing up in matching black outfits – a funeral of sorts – as they gathered around the table to discuss Trump’s return to the White House.
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Whoopi, however, seemed to skip the somber theme entirely, wearing a pink floral cardigan and a light-colored button-down. Right now, it seems she is right where she’s always been.
13. Josh Gad
Frozenstar Josh Gad didn’t outright promise to leave but hinted at it in a tweet, saying he was“looking for a great realtor in Canada.”
Fans took it as a sign he was considering a move if Trump won. Gad has, however, stayed put, and is still living in Los Angeles. After the results of the 2024 Presidential campaign, he took to Threads to share his feelings,saying
I am so angry at what I’m seeing and I’m so sad about what it says about our nation, but the truth is we are going to have to move forward as a nation no matter what happens and pray this country knows what the hell it looks like it’s just done.
14Samuel L. Jackson
The famously outspoken Samuel L. Jackson joked that he’d head to South Africa if Trump won in 2016. He openly expressed his take on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, saying that he couldn’t imagine staying in a country led by Trump.
In the run-up to the 2024 election,Samuel L. Jacksonshared that he’s all in for Kamala Harris, especially since they both apparently share a favorite curse word. At a rally for Harris in Clarkston, Georgia, Jackson hinted at the word without fully saying it, just mumbling enough letters for the crowd to catch on.
I heard her favorite curse word is also one of mine. But I’m not about to say mothafu– that word.
Despite his conviction, Jackson still remains in the States, and continues to be a vocal political critic—all the while staying ever-so-busy with his laundry list of Hollywood roles.
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While a few stars have moved abroad for various reasons, Trump’s presidency has rarely been the actual catalyst. These celebrities perhaps feel deeply connected to the country they call home – and just like the Talking Heads song –“Home is where I want to be, but I guess I am already there”
Jayant Chhabra
Articles Published :123
Jayant Chhabra is a long-form writer and Creative Producer, who has worked with several renowned publications and production houses. Yet, there’s more to Jayant than meets the word count. You’ll find him cheering for the Red Devils, trying to produce music, or yet again being enamoured by the countless films, essays, and books that he holds close to his heart.
