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Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, Politics, US News, UK News, Travel, TV And Film
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Donald Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, Politics, US News, UK News, Travel, TV And Film
In a bombshell new interview this week, Jimmy Kimmel admitted to joining the long list of Hollywood stars with plans to flee the United States in response to Donald Trump's policies.
Already this year, Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria left America and now splits her time between Spain and Mexico, and Game Of Thrones actress Sophie Turner returned home to the UK in fear of both US gun violence and a reduction in women's rights.
Suits frontman Gabriel Macht also told PEOPLE back in January that he and his family had left America, but refused to reveal where they'd gone. Married couple Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi vowed not to return from their new UK home to the States unless the end of Trump's second stint in the White House.
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And as we say, 57-year-old talk-show presenter Kimmel is said to have made similar arrangements, confessing this week to seeking out citizenship elsewhere.
Discussing Trump's crackdown on birthright citizenship as part of his plans for the 'largest deportation operation in American history' with podcast host Sarah Silverman, the TV star told listeners: "I did get Italian citizenship."
Kimmel continued: "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 he would like it to be."
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This isn't the first time that the presenter and comedian has discussed his potential reliance on his European heritage.
Speaking at a Los Angeles event at the Consulate General of Italy in back June, Kimmel announced: "I have just obtained citizenship, thanks to my beloved grandmother Edith, whose family came from Candida, in the province of Avellino."
The star's latest update comes just weeks after Republican leader Trump warned him he'd be 'next' to have his show cancelled, after Stephen Colbert's Late Show was axed by Paramount and CBS following a slew of 'bribery' accusations.
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Colbert accused Paramount days earlier of previously handing Donald Trump a 'big fat bribe' in the form of a $16 million (£12m) settlement, after the right-wing politician accused CBS of airing an edited version of an electoral debate in favour of Kamala Harris.
Trump celebrated the show's cancelling online by claiming 'absolutely love[s] that Colbert got fired', and adding: "His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!"
Kimmel himself quickly clapped back at the time, writing on Instagram: "I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret."
It was thought at the time the remark referred to a line in a hand-written letter found amongst late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's belongings, supposedly signed with the name 'Donald.'
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A number of other A-listers previously hinted at following in Kimmel's footsteps with regards to fleeing the States, including Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera, who is said to be checking out schools in the UK for her children.
Barbara Streisand also claimed previously that she wouldn't live in the US if Trump returned to power, whilst OINB star Laverne Cox seconded the singer's motion, insisting she'd move Europe or the Caribbean if Trump remained in office.
Sharon Stone, meanwhile, is said to be buying a home in Italy to escape Trump's reign, whilst British actress Minnie Driver will also be moving back to London.
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Raven Symone also told press she's considering moving to Canada with her wife, whilst Vivian Wilson (Elon Musk's transgender daughter) has voiced her wish to leave the America, too - regardless of her father’s political affiliation with the President.