Everyday Americans all voiced a similar message to celebrities planning to flee the US because of president elect Donald Trump during interviews with DailyMail.com.
Following Trump’s landslide victory over Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this month, a handful of celebrities – including America Ferrera, Cher and Sophie Turner – expressed their desire to pack their bags and haul themselves out of the country.
But ordinary Americans on the streets of New York City have a different take on the A-listers’ future absence.
‘I mean, I don’t like Trump,’ said one interviewee. ‘But if they want to leave, f*** them. Let them leave.’
New Yorkers expressed their opinions on the matter during the interview – noting how there are most likely other countries that offer a more peaceful living environment, while also simultaneously questioning what would change for those who are saturated in influence.
‘If they have power, privilege, money – maybe they should do something to help the community around them instead of just fleeing,’ said another resident.
While some of the residents felt that celebrities have a huge influence over voters during important elections – most notably mentioning Taylor Swift’s hold on her loyal fan base – others disagreed, believing that their position only draws attention to the candidates rather than swaying their followers one way or the other.
‘Where can you get the things you get in the United States in any country,’ another resident added. ‘You can’t get it. Especially for the freedom.’
‘I mean, I don’t like Trump,’ said one interviewee. ‘But if they want to leave, f*** them’
Another interviewee questioned their motives, stating: ‘If they have power, privilege, money – maybe they should do something to help the community around them instead of just fleeing’
Another person told DailyMail.com: ‘I understand when people want to leave, because it’s crazy out here. But I don’t like that privileged people with mobility are just nilly willy saying “we’re going to leave because the ship is sinking.'”
When asked if they would move out of the US because of the Trump administration, one New Yorker simply replied: ‘No. Wherever you go, there will be the same problems over and over again.’
And another Big Apple resident posed the question: ‘Where can you get the things that you can get in the US in any country? You can’t get it. Especially the freedom.’
A host of celebrities have long been vocal in their opposition to Trump taking office, making some bold promises of their own along way: if Trump won, they were out.
The reactions have ranged from playful hyperbole to what sounded like solemn pledges – yet as the dust settles on another Trump election win, the question of whether the stars will settle into their multimillion-dollar homes on American soil, or leave the country for good, has spiraled again.
Kamala Harris had a who’s who of Hollywood endorsing her, with celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen and Howard Stern backing her campaign.
Another Big Apple resident posed the question: ‘Where can you get the things that you can get in the US in any country? You can’t get it. Especially the freedom.’
Following Trump’s victory, dozens of prominent names in the entertainment industry were vocal about their sadness, anger and frustration, but none appeared to be looking for their passports ahead of his upcoming term as the 47th president.
Cher in October 2023 told The Guardian that she suffered health issues as result of Trump’s previous term, and said this time she was determined to relocate from the U.S. under Trump’s leadership.
‘I almost got an ulcer the last time,’ said Cher. ‘If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave.’ (As of Wednesday evening, Cher had not said anything since Trump’s election on her social media platforms in regards to her plans.)
Girls creator Lena Dunham told an audience in 2016 that she would ‘100 percent move to Canada’ while appearing at the Matrix Awards in April of 2016 in New York City.
But after Trump was elected in November of 2016, Dunham clarified that her earlier comments were made in jest and emphasized her commitment to staying in the United States to advocate for her beliefs.
Actress Raven-Symoné also promised she would move to Canada with her family should Trump win
The View’s Whoopi Goldberg has been a notable critic of Trump’s political career
She said on Instagram, ‘It’s easy to joke about moving to Canada. It’s harder to see, and to love, the people who fill your mailbox with hate… but I’m willing to try.’
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston said in a late 2016 interview with The Bestseller Experiment podcast, declaring he ‘would definitely move’ to Vancouver, British Columbia if Trump defeated Clinton.
‘It’s not real to me that that would happen. I hope to God it won’t. It wouldn’t be a vacation. I’d be an expatriate.’
After Trump was elected, Cranston, who publicly endorsed Harris, walked back his statement on Twitter.
‘Although shocked and disappointed by the outcome, I hope the pres-elect will work to unify our wounded country,’ he said in November 2016. ‘I sincerely wish him success.’
Actress Raven-Symoné also promised she would move to Canada with her family should Trump win.
She emphasized her seriousness on The View in 2016, saying, ‘I already have my ticket. I literally bought my ticket, I swear.’
Despite this declaration, she remained in the United States after the election.
Miley Cyrus took umbrage at a Trump presidency posting on Instagram in 2016: ‘Honestly f*** this s*** I am moving if this is my president! I don’t say things I don’t mean!’
But following Trump’s 2016 election win, Cyrus did not leave the country, and ultimately denounced her previous comments.
In a 2017 interview with NME, she reflected on her earlier statement, calling it ‘dumb’ and ‘ignorant.’
She explained, ‘That’s me abandoning my country when I think I’ve got a good thing to say to my country.’