While several high-profile celebrities have chosen to leave the United States following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, actor Jesse Eisenberg says he has no interest in doing the same.
Speaking at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival while promoting his upcoming A24 film The Debut, Eisenberg was asked whether obtaining Polish citizenship had changed the way he views living in America. Although he acknowledged the country’s political divisions, the Oscar-nominated actor dismissed the idea of relocating because of the current administration.
President Trump deliver the 2026 State of the Union Address – Fox News, YouTube
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“I have this great life in New York,” Eisenberg told Variety. “The idea of leaving because the political situation isn’t ideal seems a little silly.”
Variety Framed the Comments Around Trump
Notably, it was Variety that framed Jesse Eisenberg’s comments around Trump. In the interview, the actor never mentioned the president by name. Rather, Eisenberg spoke in broader terms.
“I am a very lucky American,” he said, mentioning that his wife is a teacher who works with many students who are less fortunate. Eisenberg added that he and his wife feel “a responsibility to stay in New York and help those who are struggling through a tougher period in American history. “No, I’m not going to leave because I don’t like the politics of America.”
The comments stand in contrast to several entertainment figures who publicly left the United States following Trump’s reelection. Among them are Rosie O’Donnell and former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, both of whom have cited politics as a factor in their decisions to relocate overseas.
Other Celebrities Chose to Leave
O’Donnell has continued criticizing Trump from Ireland, though she occasionally refuses to mention him by name. The former comedian has returned to the United States for short visits since the election. Later this summer, O’Donnell is set to fill in for a week on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show.
“As a special treat for our commander-in-chief, I asked one of his all-time favorites, Rosie O’Donnell, to be here to keep the hits coming,” Kimmel said during his announcement. “So, you’re welcome. And all I ask in return, Mr. President, is that you don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”
Rosie O’Donnell – YouTube, The Lazy Show
Meanwhile, following the high-profile scandal surrounding her daytime talk show, Ellen DeGeneres has maintained a lower profile in the United Kingdom. In 2025, DeGeneres confirmed that she and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, had permanently relocated there after originally planning only a temporary stay. During a public appearance in England, DeGeneres stated that the couple decided to remain overseas following the reelection of Donald Trump.
“I was like, ‘He got in.’ … And we’re like, ‘We’re staying here,’” she said.
A Different Response to Political Division
Whether O’Donnell’s and DeGeneres’ departures added anything constructive to the public discourse surrounding politics remains open to debate. Eisenberg, however, appears to favor a different approach. Rather than leaving the country, his comments suggest that he believes the better response is to remain engaged and help those around him.
Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network – Sony Pictures Entertainment, YouTube
Ultimately, despite Variety‘s framing, Eisenberg’s remarks could be interpreted in several different ways. For now, he seems less focused on Trump than many of his peers, arguing instead that leaving the country over politics “seems a little silly.”
Do you agree with Jesse Eisenberg that leaving the US over Trump and politics is silly? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
