Latest news with #ItalianCitizenship
Yahoo
13-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jimmy Kimmel Says He Secured Italian Citizenship amid Public Feud with Donald Trump
NEED TO KNOW Jimmy Kimmel revealed that he obtained his Italian citizenship while talking about Donald Trump's presidency on the Aug. 7 episode of Sarah Silverman's podcast "As bad as you thought it was gonna be, it's so much worse," Kimmel said of Trump's presidency Kimmel and Trump have been in a public feud since The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was canceled in JulyJimmy Kimmel is making a contingency plan. While talking about Donald Trump's presidency on the Aug. 7 episode of The Sarah Silverman Podcast, the talk show host, 57, revealed that he obtained his Italian citizenship. "A lot of people I know are thinking about where they can get citizenship," host Sarah Silverman told Kimmel. "I did get Italian citizenship," Kimmel revealed. "I do have that." He continued to comment on Trump's presidency, saying, "As bad as you thought it was gonna be, it's so much worse. It's just unbelievable. I feel like it's probably even worse than he would like it to be." The podcast host said she hopes people who voted for Trump regret their choice and the presidency will ultimately "bring people together." "If you want to change your mind, that's so hard to do. If you want to admit you are wrong, that's so hard and so rare to do," Kimmel added. Kimmel and Trump have been in a public feud since The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was canceled on July 17. The news came amid Stephen Colbert's criticism of CBS's sizable settlement with Trump. The parent network denied the relation of the host's comments and the cancellation of his show. "This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount," a spokesperson previously told PEOPLE in a statement. In response to the news, Kimmel shared a clip of Colbert, who took over the show from David Letterman in 2015, on his Instagram Stories. "Love you Stephen," he wrote in the caption, beforecalling out the network with, "F--- you and all your Sheldons CBS." On the day of the cancellation, Kimmel shared photos of himself and his family at an anti-Trump protest on Instagram. "May every day be another wonderful secret," he wrote in the caption, referencing a line from a cryptic letter that Trump allegedly wrote to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. A few days later, the president took to Truth Social, claiming, "The word is, and it's a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, [Jimmy] Fallon will be gone." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. While Kimmel has obtained Italian citizenship, Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen Degeneres have relocated to Ireland and England, respectively, in response to Trump's presidency. Read the original article on People
Forbes
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Kimmel: Trump Presidency Prompted Italian Citizenship
Jimmy Kimmel said he pursued Italian citizenship because the Trump presidency is 'so much worse' than he ever thought it would be. Jimmy Kimmel May 2, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. Getty Images for UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation On an episode of the 'The Sarah Silverman Podcast," Kimmel said he obtained Italian citizenship because "What's going on [with Trump] is as bad as you thought it was gonna be. It's so much worse; it's just unbelievable.' Kimmel said at an event in June covered by the Italian news agency Ansa that he claimed Italian citizenship after proving his ancestral lineage. He said his great grandparents immigrated to New York from Ischia, an island in the Gulf of Naples, after an earthquake killed "most of the family" in the late 1880s. Kimmel's remarks came after Silverman said 'A lot of people I know' are thinking about trying to obtain citizenship in another country. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here : Several liberal celebrities have threatened to leave the country in the wake of Trump's election and a few have actually done it—Rosie O'Donnell moved to Ireland and Ellen DeGeneres moved to England. O'Donnell, a frequent Trump critic, moved in January and said she is working on getting citizenship. She said she misses "many things about life there at home," but won't return until "it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America." DeGeneres spoke about her move for the first time in July. She and her wife, Portia de Rosi, arrived in England the day before the election but said they decided to make the move permanent after Trump's election. She said if same-sex marriage laws are reversed, she and de Rossi may marry again in the U.K. Other celebrities who've said they've considered moving because of the 2024 election include Sharon Stone, Cher and Barbra Streisand. U.K.-born actor Sophie Turner said she knew it was "time get get the f**k out" of the U.S. when Roe v. Wade was overturned, also citing the nation's amount of gun violence. Actress Lena Dunham in 2016 said she would be moving if Trump won his first election, then backtracked when he did. "I can survive staying in this country, MY country, to fight and live and use my embarrassment of blessings to do what's right," she said. She now lives in London. Tangent Kimmel frequently attacks Trump in monologues on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' and made fun of him while hosting the Academy Awards last year, which Trump responded to in an interview on Fox News: "This guy's even dumber than I thought," the president said of Kimmel. CBS last month announced it would cancel the late night show of another Trump critic, Stephen Colbert, citing "purely financial' reasons, but viewers, industry insiders and Colbert himself have speculated political concerns drove the decision because CBS' owners were trying to sell the parent company but facing tough pushback from Trump's FCC. Trump celebrated Colbert's firing on Truth Social: 'I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings,' he wrote, and later suggested 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' would be the next late night show to be canceled, with Jimmy Fallon after him. 'These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television. It's really good to see them go, and I hope I played a major part in it!' Trump wrote. Kimmel responded by mimicking Trump's claim he would be 'next,' commenting, 'I'm hearing you're next. Or maybe it's just another wonderful secret,' in reference to a birthday note Trump allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Forbes Celebrities On The Election: Charles Barkley Tells Dems To 'Shut Up,' Sylvester Stallone Calls Trump 'Second George Washington' By Mary Whitfill Roeloffs Forbes Stephen Colbert's Cancellation Monologue Nears 10 Million On YouTube—His Most-Watched Video In 6 Years By Mary Whitfill Roeloffs Forbes Epstein Victim Lawyer Suggests Birthday Book's Existence Is An 'Absolute Fact'—And Lawmakers Could Get It 'So Quickly' By Alison Durkee
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jimmy Kimmel Says ‘I Did Get Italian Citizenship' Because Trump's Presidency ‘Is as Bad as You Thought It Was Gonna Be. It's So Much Worse'
Is Jimmy Kimmel preparing to leave the United States amid Donald Trump's presidency? Perhaps not given his work commitment to ABC's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' but he's certainly giving himself an exit plan if needed by obtaining Italian citizenship this year. Celebrities such as Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres fled the U.S. last fall after Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the presidential election. Kimmel confirmed on 'The Sarah Silverman Podcast' (via The Daily Beast) that a door is open for him to follow suit. 'A lot of people I know are thinking about, where are they going to get citizenship?' Silverman said about the reaction to Trump. More from Variety Emma Thompson Says Donald Trump Asked Her Out on a Date: 'I Could Have Changed the Course of American History!' Rosie O'Donnell Fears 'The View' Will Be Canceled for Not 'Aligning' With Trump; White House Calls Her an 'Irrelevant Loser': 'Our Country Is Better Off With Rosie Living Abroad' David Ellison, Asked Whether Skydance Has a Side Deal With Trump for Free TV Ads, Says 'We Were Not Involved' in the Paramount Settlement 'in Any Way' 'I did get Italian citizenship,' Kimmel replied. 'What's going on [with Trump] is as bad as you thought it was gonna be. It's so much worse; it's just unbelievable. I feel like it's probably even worse than he would like it to be.' Kimmel regularly bashes Trump during his late-night monologues, so much so that Trump has boasted that 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' will be the next late night show canceled after CBS gave the ax to Stephen Colbert and 'The Late Show.' Kimmel responded to Trump with this comment: 'I'm hearing you're next. Or maybe it's just another wonderful secret.' The phrase 'wonderful secret' is a reference to a Wall Street Journal story, published July 17, that claimed Trump sent a letter to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003 that was included in a birthday album of well-wishes. O'Donnell, who also bashes Trump on a consistent basis, moved to Ireland in the wake of Trump's victory. When recently asked by Variety if she had plans to return to the states, she answered: 'With the current political climate, when would it be safe to come back with my child? I'm not going to push it before this administration is completely finished, and hopefully held accountable for their crimes.' As for Kimmel, he explained to Silverman during the podcast interview that he does not hold any grudges against those who voted for Trump if they decide to change their minds and join the opposition. 'Now you see these clips of Joe Rogan saying, 'Why is he doing this? Why are you deporting people?' And people go, 'Fuck you! You supported him.' I don't buy into that,' Kimmel said. 'The door has to stay open. If you want to change your mind, that's so hard to do. If you want to admit you were wrong, that is so hard and so rare to do. You are welcome [to do so].' Listen to Kimmel's full interview on the 'The Sarah Silverman Podcast' podcast here. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025
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The Independent
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
‘It feels good to say I'm Irish': How second passports grant readers post-Brexit travel freedom
As Brits grapple with the post-Brexit reality of restricted EU access, many Independent readers have been sharing why they've pursued second citizenship – and how it's reshaped their identity, freedom, and sense of belonging. Jessica Furseth's article struck a chord with those determined to reclaim their right to freedom of movement through ancestral ties, even if it meant wrestling with red tape. Her piece captured the reality of a growing trend: UK-born citizens pursuing second passports not for novelty, but necessity, reestablishing the rights they feel were stripped away by Brexit. Our readers described frantic searches through family records, cross-border paperwork marathons, and bittersweet awakenings to long-dormant heritage. Irish citizenship was the most popular route, but many also explored their Polish, German and Italian heritage. While a few wrestled with feelings of imposter syndrome, most said the outcome was worth it – not just for smoother holidays or easier work permits, but to feel connected to Europe again. The overarching view was that Brexit took something personal – and that this wave of passport reclamation isn't just administrative – it's emotional: about agency, identity, and quietly defying the walls that went up. Here's what you had to say: Jus sanguinis Husband asserted his right to Italian citizenship on the basis of jus sanguinis, or bloodline, unbroken through his mother's family. Took about two weeks after getting a codicil on his birth certificate, as a result of which my daughter has done the same (found herself frozen out of jobs otherwise) and my son should have got around to it, having studied in Italy for six years. I will be applying on the grounds of marriage, only slightly more complicated. All of this became an issue solely because of Brexit, and I'm so annoyed that the doors have been slammed in the faces of Britons who valued EU membership. Wonderful to still have my European citizenship As someone who, years after his hair became grey, became truly interested in his Irish heritage, I can only say it's wonderful to still have my European citizenship. I can see my daughter in Holland as I please – no 90 days nonsense. I can cross any Schengen border as a true European citizen. This, as we go, for example, as a family to the Christmas fair in Oldenburg (Germany). But as we pass Mr Farage and his German-speaking family doing their Christmas shopping in Germany too, it's good to know that more people have found this loophole! Brad It feels good to say I'm Irish I can relate to Tom Harrison. My father told me many years ago that I could claim Irish citizenship because his father was Irish, but I never saw the need. But post-Brexit, I wanted to remain an EU citizen, so I went for it, and it's a much simpler task now with the advent of the internet. Despite visiting family and friends and having many holidays in Ireland over the years, I do feel a bit of a fraud. That said, I am immensely grateful to the Irish government for allowing it. I sometimes feel a little uncomfortable telling people that I'm British, but it feels good to be able to say that I'm Irish. Bionicpants Travel is what the EU is about These people are pro-EU for the right reasons: the freedom to travel, work and live all over Europe. That is what the EU is about, the Ever Closer Union. You may notice, they don't mention the nice side effects, like frictionless trade, no additional roaming, or certain subsidies. They embrace the Euro and the Schengen area. Should the UK want to join, they have to embrace the principles of the Ever Closer Union as well. It helps if you focus on what that means, instead of repeating the economic benefits. As said, those are just nice side effects. Orval Can we please have Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Grealish back? As an Irish person, it's very satisfying to hear these stories of people with Irish heritage benefiting from getting an Irish passport. Can we please have Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Grealish back as a sign of appreciation? All very pleasant chaps too from what I can see. AnonyMousse Fast lane My mother is an immigrant from an EU country, and I got an EU passport about three years ago, as a result. Interestingly, I went to Spain recently, and when spotted with my EU passport getting off a flight from Britain, they ushered me and my friend (with her British passport) through EU passport control. She went via the EU fast lane because she was with me. Prenst Switch nationality mid-flight After having lived in the UK for 18 years, Brexit made it necessary for me to apply for naturalisation as a British citizen. When I now travel to my native Germany, I have to leave the UK on my British passport and arrive in Frankfurt on my German passport. As per German law, I have to use my German ID to enter/leave Germany. I could, of course, enter any other EU country on my British passport, but this would mean queuing and getting an entry stamp and then an exit stamp. When returning to the UK, I then 'switch' nationality again in mid-flight from being a German in the EU to being a Brit in the UK. On one occasion, I flew from Tenerife to London... as a German from Tenerife to Madrid and as Brit from Madrid to London. Baldrick's Plan Legal technicalities My mother is a French citizen, as is all her side of the family, with French government certificates back to the 14th century, but I am refused citizenship (despite also living and paying taxes in France for eight years). Reason: a legal technicality called desuetude. You may want to do some research before handing over a few grand to the lawyers! Frankx33 You can't complain about being considered a foreigner Britain's approach to the EU always was a "what can I get in return" one... called it cakeism. What matters is being in the slow lane, no longer being able to live and work, etc. Britain would have loved to retain all EU perks without committing. You can't complain about being considered as a foreigner while being one and expecting the same rights as EU citizens.... Europeancitizen I don't know what I would have done with just a UK passport Got my precious Irish passport a couple of years ago, thanks to my grandfather, who was born in Ireland. This has allowed me to move from Italy back to France following retirement without any issues. I don't know what I would have done with just a UK passport, as there is no mechanism for UK passport holders to move from one EU place of residence to another. Farage, Johnson, Gove, etc, should be imprisoned for the lies they told. I cannot believe that Farage is still so popular, says a lot for the intelligence of a good percentage of the UK population. Very sad. YaketyYak Keep the family in one piece with my Irish passport My father was born in Ireland in 1916. I was born in England in 1944. He was an RAF pilot. I ended up marrying a German and lived happily in Solingen (which my father's squadron bombed!) until that swine Farage stirred up his sleazy chauvinism. Thanks to my father, I was able to keep the family in one piece with my Irish passport. I am immensely grateful. And to the Germans, too, who have made me very welcome Kenhubert Heartening It is heartening to read the stories of the people who have been able to reclaim the EU citizenship stripped from them by the disgusting and mendacious Brexiteers, who have yet to apologise to the rest of us for stripping us of our rights. Sturluson Not just the young It's not just young people. Us older folk are also going for dual passports after Brexit cut off our travel freedom. My Irish grandfather has now continued to be very useful after his death! JustMeHere Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day's top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click 'log in' or 'register' in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.
