In a candid and politically charged admission, US late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has revealed that he has officially obtained Italian citizenship, joining a growing list of celebrities and public figures who have either relocated from the United States or are preparing to do so amid concerns over Donald Trump’s presidency and political direction.
Kimmel, 57, made the revelation during a recent conversation with fellow comedian and actress Sarah Silverman, sharing that he had actively pursued citizenship in his ancestral homeland as a safeguard in the event he chooses to leave America. His comments arrive at a time when several high-profile entertainers have publicly announced similar moves abroad, citing fears about the state of US politics, gun violence, and the rollback of civil rights.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host explained that his new citizenship was granted thanks to his Italian heritage. “I did get Italian citizenship,” Kimmel told Silverman on her podcast. “I do have that. And what’s going on is — as bad as you thought it was going to be — it’s so much worse. It’s just unbelievable. I feel like it’s even worse than [Trump] would like it to be.”
His comments come against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s plans to overhaul US immigration policies if his second term continues on its current course. The former president has promised the “largest deportation operation in American history” and a clampdown on birthright citizenship — a move that has already sparked legal debates and outrage from immigrant rights advocates.
Kimmel’s decision also follows a wave of other well-known figures making similar moves. Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, for example, left America earlier this year and now splits her time between Spain and Mexico. Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner has relocated back to the UK, reportedly over concerns about both US gun violence and reproductive rights. In January, Suits actor Gabriel Macht confirmed to People magazine that he and his family had moved out of the United States, although he declined to reveal their new home country.
Meanwhile, television icon Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, have relocated to the UK and stated they have no plans to return to the US until Trump’s time in office is over. Barbra Streisand has also previously declared that she wouldn’t remain in the country under a Trump administration, while Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox has expressed intentions to move either to Europe or the Caribbean should the political climate deteriorate further.
For Kimmel, the Italian connection is deeply personal. Speaking at the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles earlier this year, he revealed: “I have just obtained citizenship, thanks to my beloved grandmother Edith, whose family came from Candida, in the province of Avellino.” The recognition allows him not only the right to live and work in Italy but also freedom of movement throughout the European Union — a valuable option should political or social unrest in the US worsen.
The timing of Kimmel’s revelation is significant. Just weeks earlier, Donald Trump publicly singled him out, suggesting he could be “next” to lose his late-night slot following the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert’s programme was axed by Paramount and CBS in the wake of bribery allegations, which he strongly denied. Trump celebrated the news on his social media platform, stating: “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!”
Kimmel’s response at the time was pointed but understated, posting on Instagram: “I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret.” Some commentators speculated that the remark was a subtle reference to a handwritten note — allegedly signed by Trump — that was reportedly found among the personal belongings of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump’s long-running feud with late-night hosts is well documented, with Kimmel, Colbert, and others frequently criticising the former president on their shows. Kimmel, in particular, has often used his platform to challenge Trump’s policies, rhetoric, and personal conduct, making him one of the more outspoken figures in American late-night television.
Kimmel’s concerns about the direction of the United States appear to extend beyond personal grievances with Trump. His conversation with Silverman highlighted a broader fear that the country’s democratic and social fabric is fraying. For many in Hollywood — a community historically outspoken on progressive causes — the idea of securing alternative citizenship has moved from hypothetical to practical planning.
In addition to Kimmel, several other celebrities are reportedly weighing their options. Actress America Ferrera is said to be exploring UK school options for her children. Sharon Stone is rumoured to be purchasing a home in Italy, and British actress Minnie Driver has made plans to permanently relocate back to London. Raven-Symoné has publicly discussed the possibility of moving to Canada with her wife, while Vivian Wilson, the transgender daughter of Elon Musk, has voiced her desire to leave the US altogether, regardless of her father’s political leanings.
The exodus — or at least the preparations for one — reflects growing discontent among certain sectors of the American public, particularly in the arts and entertainment industry, over the country’s political climate. The polarisation of US politics, combined with contentious debates over gun control, reproductive rights, and immigration, has intensified since Trump’s return to the White House.
While some critics dismiss celebrity departures as symbolic rather than impactful, the phenomenon has gained enough traction to become a recurring point of discussion in both entertainment and political media. For Kimmel, however, the move to secure Italian citizenship appears to be less about symbolism and more about ensuring he has an alternative if the situation in America continues to deteriorate.
As of now, Kimmel has not announced any immediate plans to leave Los Angeles, where his ABC talk show is filmed. However, his remarks suggest that he sees value in preparing for the possibility — a sentiment echoed by others in his industry. Whether this will translate into an actual relocation remains to be seen, but the admission marks a notable personal and political stance from one of the most recognisable figures in American television.
If Kimmel does decide to split his time between the US and Italy, he will follow in the footsteps of numerous American entertainers who have sought to base themselves abroad while continuing to work in the United States. Such arrangements are increasingly common in the globalised entertainment industry, where filming schedules, streaming deals, and international tours often make geographic boundaries less restrictive.
For now, Kimmel’s decision adds to the growing narrative of a celebrity migration — one driven not by career opportunities or tax incentives, but by a deep unease about the nation’s trajectory under Trump’s leadership. And in the eyes of those who share his concerns, holding an Italian passport may be more than just a nod to his heritage; it could be a lifeline.