Jimmy Kimmel says he obtained citizenship in Italy amid Trump presidency

USA Today

a day ago

Jimmy Kimmel said he obtained Italian citizenship in a move seemingly motivated by the United States' current political climate under President Donald Trump.
The late-night host revealed the news during an appearance on comedian Sarah Silverman's podcast, "The Sarah Silverman Podcast," on Aug. 7.
"A lot of people I know are thinking about where they can get citizenship," Silverman said.
Kimmel replied, "I did get Italian citizenship."
The "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" host has long been an adversary of the president's policies. Trump, for his part, has openly criticized Kimmel's career over the years.
USA TODAY has reached out to Kimmel's reps for comment.
Kimmel says 'what's going on' is 'unbelievable'
Kimmel didn't specifically cite Trump's presidency for his new Italian citizenship, but he and Silverman did allude to the current state of American politics.
"What's going on is as bad as you thought it was going to be," Kimmel said, to which Silverman replied, "Way worse."
"It's so much worse. It's just unbelievable," Kimmel said. "Like I feel like it's probably even worse than he would like it to be."
Silverman added, "Every once in a while I'll Google Trump regrets or MAGA regrets."
The comedians went on to elaborate on the political climate, with Kimmel mentioning Joe Rogan and other Trump supporters who have questioned the administration's policies.
Kimmel is latest comedian to consider overseas move
If Kimmel opts to move abroad, he wouldn't be the first comedian to do so amid Trump's presidency.
Rosie O'Donnell, who notably has a long-standing feud with the president, moved to Ireland in January as Trump entered office.
She said in a TikTok video in March that she is relieved not to be "singled out by the President of the United States."
"I feel healthier (and) I'm sleeping better without the stress and anxiety over what was happening politically in the country," O'Donnell said.
Similarly, Ellen DeGeneres and wife Portia de Rossi also headed across the pond in 2024 and haven't been back to the United States since.
"We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, '(Trump) got in,'" DeGeneres said during an event in South West England on July 20. "And we're like, 'We're staying here.'"
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [e-mail].