Jimmy Kimmel Obtains Italian Citizenship, Citing Political Turmoil in the U.S.
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has recently secured Italian citizenship, a move rooted in both heritage and growing concern over the U.S. political climate. Speaking candidly on The Sarah Silverman Podcast, he revealed that the reality he’s witnessing under President Donald Trump is “worse than he thought”, a sentiment that motivated him to explore an alternative path via his ancestral ties.
The Italian connection runs deep: Kimmel’s maternal ancestors hail from Ischia and Candida, small towns in southern Italy. Leveraging this lineage, he applied for and received dual citizenship this year, a symbolic and practical gesture amid mounting uncertainty.
Kimmel isn’t alone. A wave of celebrities, including Rosie O’Donnell, now residing in Ireland, and Ellen DeGeneres, based in the UK, have either left the U.S. or secured alternative citizenships following Trump’s re-election in 2024.
His decision comes amid heightened political tensions and late-night industry turmoil. Stephen Colbert’s Late Show was recently canceled by CBS, a move that drew sharp criticism and speculation about political motivations. Trump himself publicly celebrated Colbert’s exit and insinuated that Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon might be next.
During the podcast, Kimmel also addressed a broader challenge: how to respond when former Trump supporters change their stance. He praised those willing to reverse course, calling into question the reflex to condemn them for past political positions. “The door has to stay open,” he said, highlighting the courage it takes to acknowledge a change of heart.