Rosie O'Donnell's Self-Preservation and Collective Action Against Authoritarianism

The Best People with Nicolle Wallace · December 29, 2025 · Listen to Original Episode →

Original Title:

TL;DR

Rosie O'Donnell's decision to move to Ireland was driven by self-preservation, anticipating a debilitating political climate and prioritizing her daughter's well-being over potential political engagement.
The podcast highlights the power of collective action, citing a $4 billion consumer boycott of Disney, Hulu, and Disney+ in four days as evidence of public influence.
O'Donnell emphasizes that public figures are not immune to criticism and that her art is not an attempt to be universally liked, but a platform for truth.
The media's failure to challenge political figures' falsehoods and lies, such as Trump's claims about Tylenol and autism, has allowed misinformation to proliferate and democracy to erode.
O'Donnell advocates for community building as a form of activism, suggesting that like-minded individuals should connect, support each other, and engage in collective action.
The podcast contrasts celebrity-obsessed American culture with Ireland's respectful approach, where individuals are valued for their humanity rather than their fame, fostering a sense of normalcy.
O'Donnell's profound empathy, described as an "open window" to the world's pain, necessitates medication and distance from global tragedies to maintain her mental health.

Deep Dive

Rosie O'Donnell reveals her move to Ireland was a strategic decision for self-preservation, driven by a deep concern for the impending political climate and a desire to be present for her daughter's adolescence. This personal choice underscores a broader commentary on the power of collective action and the critical need for informed engagement in safeguarding democratic values.

O'Donnell's relocation was precipitated by her reading of Project 2025, which she viewed as a roadmap for authoritarianism. This foresight highlights the proactive nature of her decision, emphasizing that her actions were not a mere political statement but a necessary personal strategy to navigate what she anticipated would be a destabilizing period. Her deep Irish heritage provided a sense of grounding and community, essential for her emotional and mental well-being during this anticipated upheaval. The narrative around her adoption of her youngest daughter at 50 adds another layer, illustrating a conscious choice to prioritize her maternal responsibilities and offer her best self to her child, a stark contrast to the perceived chaos of the political landscape.

The conversation delves into the profound impact of O'Donnell's experiences, particularly her early maternal loss, on her heightened sensitivity to global tragedies. She describes an open "window" to the world's pain, making her vulnerable to overwhelming empathy. This explains her need for distance from the U.S. political scene and the necessity of medication to manage her responses to events like Columbine and 9/11. Her critique of the media's role in amplifying misinformation, especially concerning Donald Trump, is sharp. She argues that the fourth estate has failed democracy by not challenging falsehoods, thereby enabling a dangerous cult of personality and obscuring the truth. This failure, she contends, allows for the erosion of democratic norms and the potential loss of the nation.

The core implication of O'Donnell's perspective is that individual and collective agency are paramount in resisting authoritarian tendencies and preserving democratic society. Her personal decision to seek refuge and her public commentary on the political climate both serve as calls to action. She urges citizens to engage, not through passive observation, but through active community building and a refusal to be numb to the truth. The emphasis on finding community and supporting one another, particularly those being marginalized, reflects a belief that collective action, rooted in empathy and a shared commitment to truth, is the most potent defense against the forces that threaten democracy.

Action Items

Audit media consumption: For 3-5 news sources, track instances of un-commented-on political lies or misinformation over a 2-week period.
Create community engagement plan: Outline 3-5 methods for fostering local like-minded groups to combat feelings of isolation and encourage collective action.
Draft personal risk assessment: Evaluate personal safety and citizenship concerns related to political engagement, identifying 2-3 potential risks and mitigation strategies.
Measure impact of citizen action: Track 3-5 instances where individual or collective actions (e.g., boycotts, public statements) demonstrably influenced public discourse or policy over a 1-month period.

Key Quotes

"I will say that I came here out of self preservation. You know, some people said, 'Oh, you're making a political statement.' I didn't tell anyone I was moving. I read Project 2025 and I saw that he won, and I called my therapist and said, 'I need to go to Ireland.'"

Rosie O'Donnell explains that her decision to move to Ireland was driven by a need for personal safety and a desire to be present for her daughter. O'Donnell indicates that reading "Project 2025" prompted this move, suggesting it presented a concerning future. Her immediate call to her therapist highlights the significant emotional impact of this perceived threat.

"I don't want to do anything that would upset you in any way, but you were a constant source of light in an often dark childhood. She could have like ruined my life by like rejecting me, and by her not rejecting me, I kept my boundaries."

O'Donnell describes Barbara Streisand as a profound influence during her childhood, acting as a "constant source of light." This quote reveals that Streisand's non-rejection was crucial for O'Donnell's emotional well-being and boundary development. O'Donnell expresses deep reverence for Streisand, indicating a lasting impact from their interaction.

"I think that the placating of him and allowing him to dictate what the news cycle is has to stop, and they need to all band together of mainstream media and say, 'We will not post his lies without comment anymore.'"

O'Donnell criticizes mainstream media for enabling the spread of misinformation by not challenging political figures' false statements. She argues that media outlets should collectively refuse to publish lies without immediate commentary. O'Donnell believes this unified stance is necessary to prevent further damage to the public discourse.

"When people are being dehumanized, be a human being and stand next to them and hold their hand through it and suffer what they suffer. And that's empathy."

O'Donnell defines empathy as actively standing with and sharing the suffering of those being dehumanized. She uses this to advocate for direct support and solidarity with vulnerable individuals. O'Donnell suggests that this active participation is more impactful than mere compassion or sympathy.

"I think that the space you're talking about for people that wake up and say, 'This isn't conservatism, this isn't the Republican party,' and this isn't politics is so important."

O'Donnell emphasizes the significance of individuals questioning established political identities and ideologies. She highlights the importance of recognizing when a political movement deviates from its original principles. O'Donnell suggests that this critical self-reflection is vital for political discourse.

Resources

External Resources

Articles & Papers

Project 2025 - Mentioned as a document Rosie O'Donnell read that influenced her decision to move to Ireland.

People

Rosie O'Donnell - Guest on the podcast, discussing her move to Ireland, her past on "The View," and her views on Donald Trump.
Nicolle Wallace - Host of "The Best People" podcast, interviewing Rosie O'Donnell.
Donald Trump - Discussed in relation to Rosie O'Donnell's past feud with him and his political impact.
Mark Burnett - Mentioned as the producer of "The Apprentice" show, which Rosie O'Donnell believes contributed to public confusion about Donald Trump.
Mary Trump - Mentioned for her insights into Donald Trump's family dynamic.
Barr - Mentioned in relation to the Mueller Report.
Terry Moran - Mentioned as a journalist who stood up to Donald Trump.
Jim Acosta - Mentioned as a journalist who stood up to Donald Trump.
Jimmy Kimmel - Mentioned in relation to a situation where Rosie O'Donnell supported him.
Stephen Colbert - Mentioned in relation to CBS capitulating to Donald Trump.
Glennon Doyle - Mentioned as someone who has used her platform for good.
Abby Wambach - Mentioned as someone who has used her platform for good.
Jasmine Crockett - Mentioned as a figure in the Democratic party whose speaking style matches the moment.
AOC - Mentioned as a figure in the Democratic party whose speaking style matches the moment.
Jen Psaki - Mentioned for her comments on activism being scarier now than in the 1960s.
Anne Frank - Mentioned as a historical figure whose situation prompts a question about taking risks for others.
Tori Amos - Mentioned for a lyric that Rosie O'Donnell finds inspiring.
Barbara Streisand - Revered by Rosie O'Donnell, mentioned in relation to her mother and her own career.
Whoopi Goldberg - Mentioned as a pillar on "The View" and for a past comment about racism.
Rosie Perez - Mentioned as a figure on "The View."
Walter Cronkite - Mentioned for his role in influencing public opinion on the Vietnam War.
Jeffrey Epstein - Mentioned in relation to a scandal that has caused some to question Donald Trump.

Organizations & Institutions

TikTok - Mentioned as a platform helping businesses reach customers.
Chumba Casino - Mentioned as a place to play games online.
The View - Mentioned as the show where Rosie O'Donnell and Nicolle Wallace worked together.
Disney - Mentioned in the context of people canceling subscriptions.
Hulu - Mentioned in the context of people canceling subscriptions.
Disney Plus - Mentioned in the context of people canceling subscriptions.
HBO - Mentioned as the network for a show Rosie O'Donnell was working on.
Netflix - Mentioned in relation to scripts being discarded.
CBS - Mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's influence.
ABC - Mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's influence.
Republican Party - Mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's influence.
Tesco - Mentioned as a place Rosie O'Donnell sees people in Ireland.
New School - Mentioned as a place Barbara Streisand spoke.
MS NOW - Mentioned as the producer of the podcast.
Apple Podcasts - Mentioned as a platform for subscribing to the podcast.
YouTube - Mentioned as a platform to watch the podcast.
State Street Investment Management - Mentioned in relation to the DIA ETF.

Websites & Online Resources

getstarted.tiktok.com - Mentioned as a website for TikTok ads.
chumbacasino.com - Mentioned as a website for Chumba Casino.
msnow.com/thebestpeople - Mentioned as a website to watch the podcast.
statestreet.com/im - Mentioned for information on the DIA ETF.

Other Resources

TikTok Shop Ads - Mentioned as having a high return on investment.
Project 2025 - Mentioned as a document Rosie O'Donnell read that influenced her decision to move to Ireland.
The Apprentice - Mentioned as a show that Rosie O'Donnell believes contributed to public confusion about Donald Trump.
The Mueller Report - Mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's culpability.
The UN Speech - Mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's statements.
Emoluments Clause - Mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's business dealings while in office.
DIA ETF - Mentioned as an investment product.
Civil Rights Act - Mentioned in the context of historical progress and current challenges.
Equal Rights - Mentioned in the context of historical progress and current challenges.
The Constitution - Mentioned as the foundation of the U.S. legal system.