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Chris Cuomo
Do you know where Rosie o' Donnell is and what her plan is for? Why I do. Chris Cuomo here. Welcome to the Chris Cuomo Project. I learned something about Rosie ODonnell's plan that I did not think I was going to hear. I knew that Rosie moved to Ireland. I hadn't heard her talk about what it's like there and why she went and if she's still paying attention here and what she thinks about what's going on. I mean, she has such a huge following. So I called her up and she said, sure, I'll tell you. So Rosie o' Donnell wanted to talk to me about the difference between Ireland and America, what she thinks is happening here, what she thinks is happening there, but more importantly, what her plans are for the future. ROSIE o' DONNELL with a shocker. ROSIE o' donnell, Great to see you. How you feeling? How's Ireland?
Rosie O'Donnell
Ireland's fantastic. I'm feeling very wobbly about what's happening politically in America, but very happy to be safely here. And I just moved in last night to this new house that we're in and it's been six months and, you know, it feels nice to be settled first.
Chris Cuomo
How come when you're talking to me or not, oh, it's good to see you. It's been a long time, Cuomo. It's good to have you.
Rosie O'Donnell
Yeah. I love to talk to you, Chris, you know I do. But I got to tell you, I want a pint of Guinness right now and that's all I want to do.
Chris Cuomo
How has it been for you there? I was really surprised when you actually did this. I've heard a lot of people say, I gotta get away from Trump, I can't handle it. But you actually did it. Why and what's been the impact?
Rosie O'Donnell
I wasn't one of those people who said, if he gets elected, I'm gonna move. I knew that I would never move because I'm very much a homebody and I like to be near my kids and in the same time zone. And I don't like to not be able to be there to help them. And, you know, it's like a compulsion in some capacity. But I really felt this was self preservation for me because during his first go round, it was very difficult and I got myself into some bad places. You know, I very, very depressed. I was overeating. I was over drinking. I was, you know, I was so depressed, Chris. I can't, you know, it, it hurt my heart that America believed the lies about him. And then it broke my heart to be in a business that creates and sells those lies for profit. You know, it, it was very heavy, to tell you the truth. And I knew in order for me to be a good parent to this 12 that I've got to be around for 20 more years. I need to take care of myself. And coming to Ireland was totally a way to take care of myself and my non binary autistic child who's going to need services and help and counseling and all the things that he's threatening to cut in his horrible plan of the big beautiful bill, which is big beautiful bullshit, frankly.
Chris Cuomo
Well, you're still, you're still tuned in, right? Because the phone unites everybody now. So going to another country doesn't put you in a different reality. What has Ireland done for you that has been an improvement. And then we'll get into the state of play in America.
Rosie O'Donnell
You know, when I got here, I noticed right away there was a different culture about celebrity. They're not lauded in Ireland, they're not thought of as better than anyone else. And I read an article before I came about Jay Z and Beyonce being in a park in Dublin and no one went over and bothered them and they were in shock. But you know, this is the culture of the country and the culture is a familiar one because I'm 100% Irish. We did that 23andMe and you know, we got Irish everywhere you look. And coming home here felt like coming home. And I look at little children, 10 years old, the age I was when my mother died, and I think, that kid is my face. And then I see a woman in her 30s, I'm like, she has my body. And I see a woman my age and I think, wow, we've gotten old, you know, and then I see the women who would be my mom had she lived the 85 year olds in the Tesco getting the fruit and you know, by themselves. And it just hurts my heart to think, why are they alone in the supermarket? You know, like, listen, I'm too sensitive for the world. I know this, Chris. You know, I wish that I wasn't.
Chris Cuomo
No, we need it. We need feelers, we need empaths, we need deep feelers. We need passionate people. It's just that there is a price. And you took on a very public and profound battle, which I told you, you won't remember, but many years ago when you were first getting it to it with him, I saw you on the View and I said, you know, this is going to affect you a lot more than it's going to affect him. This is not a, you know, Trump, whatever Trump is or isn't is not a secret, but he is not a deep feeler and you are. So what makes life different in Ireland in a way that matters?
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, first of all, my child who's 12, said to me, mommy, you can be a normal person here. And I was like, wow, it feels, Chris, like before I was famous. It feels like what it used to feel like in America when I would go to Foodtown or King Cullen and I would make the cashier laugh, not because I was Rosie o' Donnell, but because I was a funny kid and I was food shopping for the family because my mother had died and I would make jokes and get everybody to laugh. But you know, once you get famous, that's over because everybody has a pre existing theory about who you are and what you're about and whether you're a villain or a hero, they cast you in different roles and you can't really be sorry because that's sort of what you signed up for. Right? We're all archetypes in some way. And you know, I find myself feeling safe. There's no MAGA support here. Older men in Ireland come over and go, you Rosie o' donnell, I saw you in the Late Late Show. Listen, love, is it true you come over here because you hate Donald Trump? I said, yes, sir, it is. And he said, I'd like to buy you a Guinness. And he brings me over a pint, you know, and it's like, compare that to the day after the election. You know, people in CBS saying to me and my autistic 12 year old, hey, Rosie, Trump won. Haha, you know, or one cursed at us. And she's like, why are they cursing at us, honey? You know, the bad guy, they're all bad guys too.
Chris Cuomo
So it's been a mental health break that you needed. The kid is doing well there. But it's not like Rosie o' Donnell has escaped to a different reality. You are well aware of what's happening in America. And the first thing you said to me when we connected was, I got a lot of concerns about what's happening in American politics, Chris.
Rosie O'Donnell
It keeps me up at night, it wakes me up at 4am I'm like, how can it be possible that in my 63 years of living they told us Vietnam would be the last war that was ever fought and it wasn't? And that was a lie. And the history we've been taught about our country is a lie and everybody has to agree. Finally to value the truth. And when reporters don't step up and say what the hell are you talking about? To Donald Trump, that abolishes the fourth estate of any power. And I don't understand, although I know it was a business decision to move news out of the non money making journalism category into entertainment. And when that happened, well, it was a free for all. And you know, Fox News doing what they did, even Tucker Carlson is admitting what they did. You know, stealing all of our senior citizens with their bullshit and lies and simplicity and devious culture. Listen, it's, it's overwhelming to me, Chris. I wish I could say it wasn't, but it still is. But I was so Inspired on the 14th because I don't know about you, but I dreaded that whole day because I thought, this is going to be another January 6th. It's going to pop off and pop off and pop off. And it didn't. 12 million people and the two people who were killed were assassinated by a Maga person. That's the reality of where we are. So the people, those 12 million people who are out there, bring a friend next time. We gotta do it next time and we gotta do it right away.
Chris Cuomo
Look, I think that it's interesting that it resonates with you that way. You know, I kind of, I mentioned it on the 16th, my first day back after it, but I gotta tell you, it didn't really resonate here at home the way it did with you. Not that it's seen differently, that it's seen bad versus good or anything. It just kind of came and went because I guess of the Iran and the MAGA implosion, it wasn't as landmark.
Rosie O'Donnell
To every liberal, to every compassionate human being American watching that day when they feared the dread of January 6th was going to be redone with this more fascist control that he has and you know, taking people and sending them to El Salvador when they've done nothing wrong. 75% of the people he took had done nothing wrong. It's like, how long are we going to, able to be able to ignore the atrocities? We can't ignore the atrocities, Chris. Or who are we then? We're the terrorists.
Chris Cuomo
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Rosie O'Donnell
Really?
Chris Cuomo
Yep. Head to oracle.com CCP for the Chris Cuomo Project. That's oracle.com/ccp. Protest is a. Is a signature blessing of American democracy, as is our media. And of course, there's room for criticism with all of it. Of course, protests go sideways all the time. It is interesting to me that you were in a place that has very profound experience with what my biggest concern is in American life right now, which is not Donald Trump, which is not anything tangible, but it's something that is still everywhere. Extremism. Ireland lived it as a rejection. It was actually one of the first things I ever really got into in journalism, was kind of the resurgence of the IRA and the reestablishing of Sinn Fein. And extremism is very, very powerful in American society right now. And the big surrender has not been to maga, has not been to Trump. It has been in the state of play between the two parties, which we're saddled with. We're saddled with a binary system. So for Rosie to win, Cuomo's gotta lose. And the easiest way to win is to make the other side lose, to show its worst, to beat it down. And down that road, we've gotten to a place where anything I say or do is okay if it creates advantage. So now what we're seeing, Rosie, is like you just pointed out about Minnesota. That's not a coincidence that the guy is a MAGA guy, but he's also maybe a little crazy lefty, and he listens to Infowars and then the IVF clinic and then Boulder, Colorado, and the Israeli Embassy and the healthcare CEO. These are all extremists. They probably didn't like each other, but they have been conditioned to think anything you do to get your way is okay. That's my biggest fear in America today.
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, you know, that's sort of the patriarchy and the billionaire culture, Chris. Billionaires are running the show and they're all talking about, you know, the left wing conspiracy and all this stuff. And listen, the people who've been in power and caused the wars, Republicans, Republicans. The people who crash our economy every time. And the Democrats have to come in and save it. Republicans, you know, it's an antiquated theory that no longer has any power because of maga.
Chris Cuomo
Listen, I get you, I get you and I get the need for something different as an ethos in America. And we have had better periods than we have right now. We've had.
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, listen, there's gross excess in America, Chris. And when I came to Ireland, I realized it.
Chris Cuomo
Tell me what did you realize?
Rosie O'Donnell
How much gross excess there is. Show me.
Chris Cuomo
Gross excess.
Rosie O'Donnell
The price of a house, the price of a four bedroom house in the middle of the city, in the middle of a village, in a sort of higher end area than not. When I tell people where I bought, they go ooh. And I go, really? It's just got a Tesco and two boutiques and a coffee shop and sub pubs. Like it doesn't look like Rodeo Drive, Chris. And that's when you realized what people value in America is very different than what they value in Ireland. They don't value your celebrity, they value who you are and what you do. And whether or not you're gonna fight injustice, because that's their 700, 800 year history, is to fight the horrible injustices of the British throne against the Irish people.
Chris Cuomo
How do they see their history there of their recent history of the Iraq and the tactics that were used, which, you know, were seen in the eyes of the law and not just the UK as terroristic, to fight back the British threat of not only control of faith, but of the place. So how do they see it?
Rosie O'Donnell
All right, so let me ask you this. What about the Warsaw Uprising? What about it? What was that? Was that people who were terrorists or was that people who were freedom fighters?
Chris Cuomo
Well, look, it depends on your perspective, right? When, when, I mean, obviously we're seeing that with Palestine and Israel also. If you are oppressed and subjugated and desperate, what else can you do but that? Martin Luther King said that very often what we see in a riot is the voice of desperation that they can't express themselves in any other way. And is that an excuse or is it an explanation? Depends on your perspective.
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, listen, I just think that we have to Open up ourselves to a spiritual and metaphysical consciousness. We have to come out of the fact that lobbyists run the safety of the country. When people are shot in a level that no other country in the world has, I mean, for how rich we are and how supposed great we are, we've caused a lot of mayhem in the world.
Chris Cuomo
How do they see us? I mean, I talk to people in Ireland on a regular basis, but I mean, living there is different. What do you, what are their main takeaways of the American kind of resonance where they are?
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, they definitely do not follow it like I follow it. They I'll get in the car and say, you know, did you hear what happened Yesterday? There were 12 million Americans out in towns and counties and red states and blue states standing up to this man who had 8,000 people show up at his birthday party for $45 million. It's like the emperor has no clothes. Happened on the 14th and America stood up and said, we see you naked and we've had enough, you know. And so that gave me the feeling of catharsis in a wonderful movie that gave me what I know is the reason that we're alive, that kind of feeling. And I know that we are able to turn this around. And I believe that. And I just want to encourage everyone to continue doing what you're doing and take care of yourselves and each other and keep the pressure on.
Chris Cuomo
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Rosie O'Donnell
No.
Chris Cuomo
No. That is not the answer I was expecting. You're going to Stay in Ireland. So if I want to see you, I got to come there.
Rosie O'Donnell
Yeah. My kid has six more years until she graduates high school, so I just bought a house and we're going to stay here with this education system where she got in the autism class at the school, which is phenomenal.
Chris Cuomo
How is it different than the school experience here?
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, the schools are free. Number one, the first day I went, I said, what's the tuition? And they said, oh, you got to put $10 in your Aladdin account, €10 in your Aladdin account so that you can get a free lunch if you want one. I said, so you're telling me it cost me $20 to go to your school?
Chris Cuomo
And they're like, yes, we have free schools also. But I guess it's about the quality and the experience. How do you find it there?
Rosie O'Donnell
It's beautiful. It reminds me of 1970s Long Island, Chris. All these kids in, like, solid color shirts and, you know, they. I don't know if they have a no logo rule, but there's not a lot of logos. You know, how about diversity? Oh, there's all kinds of different flavors of humans there. There's all kinds of neurodiversity. You know, my child has autism, moderate autism, and they're in a mainstream class with 30 children, and probably like four in the class are autistic. You know, that's not easy. Autistic kids need to stim a lot, and when they're home, they stim a lot. But trying to keep it all together while you're at school is very, very difficult and stressful on their system, you know, so I'm very happy with the school system. I'm very happy that she has agency over herself now and knows that she's able to do things she never dreamed possible, like move to another country. And, you know, and she understands. And, you know, she told her class, Chris, she said, I have to move to Ireland. And they said, why? And she said, because the president hates my mom. But to tell you the truth, my mom hates him more.
Chris Cuomo
That was a fair analysis. How do you find. Well, you know, how do you find the Irish political culture and what is similar and different from how we practice it in America?
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, first of all, they're proud of their country and they know the history of their country and they know about the Troubles, and they don't pretend it didn't happen. And they understand the development of an IRA in an oppressed, occupied country for so long, 700 years. You know, the famine wasn't really a Famine. They took all the potatoes and shipped them to English people and so everybody starved. It was, you know, a genocide. That's what it was. And this is something that they hold so dear to their heart. And they know about their culture and they're always taking the side of the oppressed and what I think is a beautiful and Jesus like way. And it's very moving to me spiritually and it's very moving to me emotionally. And I've learned a lot about myself and how much my Irish upbringing really did affect me and the ways I am in the world and all the stereotypes that you hear about Irish people that they're like, emotionless and, you know, believe in witchcraft, you know, I mean, there's a lot of, you know, lore about being Irish, but actually being here amongst those people that I share a heritage with is pretty overwhelming.
Chris Cuomo
Chris, so how have you received a very, very distinct difference in their political culture from ours? From those of you who are watching now, you're probably just Rosie fans, so it's great just to see her and hear her. But for those of you who are students of the podcast, I talk all the time about the death of the two party system, a parliamentary system, which is what they have in Ireland. And obviously there's also communication with the broader UK there as a distinct nation within it. But they have about six operative parties and they have coalitions and have consistently since the 1980s. I think in the 1980s was the last time they had majority control by a single party there. So how is that a different vibe when people talk about parties and politics there versus here?
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, listen, I can tell you this. The, you know, sort of the Donald Trump of Ireland now, a man with a conviction in some capacity for a sex crime. On both of Those men, Conor McGregor announced he was going to run for president and no Irish person supported him. All they would talk about was how he doesn't represent Ireland, how he's not a spokesman for who we are, how he doesn't understand and he lost his way. And this is a very moral nation and there is no celebrity culture here. Now listen, it's as small as South Carolina, right? It's not like they're gonna have like 50,000 celebrities. It's small, right? So they have like 10, right? Irish all the way Irish. And, you know, then I come here and that's sort of news, you know, which is funny for me, Chris, because I never feel like that could possibly be true, you know, But I mean.
Chris Cuomo
Look, you are living in a place that has a very Unique aspect to it that we're dealing with. And not just the shamrock. Right. You still have Northern Ireland, 2 million people. You're in Ireland proper, which is what, 5 and change or something like that? Last time I checked, somewhere around 5 and 6. So you still have Northern Ireland. That's part of the uk. That really is supposed to be part of Ireland. I mean, they're still dealing with that on some level.
Rosie O'Donnell
I know, totally. They don't give the counties back. But, you know, listen, this is the continued occupation of Ireland. It shouldn't be this way. And they shouldn't be allowed to do this to continue oppressing people that they nearly slaughtered, you know, it shouldn't be this way.
Chris Cuomo
Are you going to take that up, by the way? Are you going to start going after the Royals? Are you going to be like the new Morrissey over there, kind of singing about the crown?
Rosie O'Donnell
The royals? You mean like the Royal Family?
Chris Cuomo
You know, like the uk. Let my people go. Am I going to have Rosie o' Donnell? Am I going to come see you? And you're going to be like, hey, put this shirt on.
Rosie O'Donnell
Oh, no, no, no. But you may. You may, you know, you may hear me talking with the brogue and saying, like, you know, we all got to be nicer to each other, don't we, love? Now get on with it, Rosie. This here's a true story. Chris. The lollipop lady, which is the crossing guard. Her name is Angela and she knows every kid's name. So the kids are walking in and she's like, hello, Deirdre. Hello, Michael. Hello, Sean. How are you? Patrick, what's up? Fiona, lovely to see you. Hello, Mom. How are you, Johnny? How are you? Steve? Right? So first day we walk in, she goes, new kid, new kid. She's a name. And Clay goes, Clay. She goes, all right, Mom? I said, yes, I'm the mom. So about three weeks later, I'm watching her every day do this. She sees me and she goes, hey, Mom. I said, yeah? She goes, you're new here. I said, yes. She goes, what's your name? I said, rosie, what's your surname? She said, o' Donnell. She said, oh, just like the famous actress. I said, I am the famous actress. And she said, don't you be lying to me. I've seen Rosie o' Donnell with the black mane of hair, long hair. She was in a lot of movies. I love the Flintstones. I love the baseball movie. I know Rosie o' Donnell. But you. If I stepped on you, I wouldn't have known. So don't you be saying you're somebody else just because you have the same name. And I was like, okay. And then she told me that I couldn't walk my kid to school anymore because the kid was trying to dart in front of me and couldn't I tell she didn't want to be with me. And I was like, thanks a lot, Angela. She's like, I'm just telling you, I haven't lost a kid in 40 years, Rosie. I know when the kids start doing that, they want to walk alone. You're not in New York City, you're in Dublin. It's safe here. Your kid's going to be fine. You're not so important. Nobody's going to come and snatch your kid. I haven't even had a skin knee, Rosie. I haven't had a skin knee. When do you get that in America? Now, you know what I mean?
Chris Cuomo
Look, you don't need me to tell you that there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to what's going on with our markets and our money. Things just are not in a good place. Inflation is up. How much? Well, it depends on the day. Banks, borrowing costs, prices. Everything that's going out there right now is really hard to predict. And we all have the same question. What do we do to protect what we have? That's why more and more people are turning to gold and silver. Because they're not make believe, man. They're not some digital thing that some guy can just back and it's gone forever. It's real, it's proven, it's tangible. It doesn't just crash with the rest of the market. It is the oldest tried and true hedge. But here's what nobody tells you. Just buying gold is not a thing. You gotta buy the right kind, okay? Because you can buy the wrong kind. Like what? How about those flashy cool points in the TV ads? Oh, it's a collector series, right? Or the, you know, some celebrity says, oh, this is what I do. Yeah, ask them how much they really have. These gimmicks are built to make someone else rich, not you. I want you to hear from Dr. Kirk Elliot. Two PhDs, one of them is in theology. Think about that. When's the last time you met an investment guy that has taken the time to study their religion? No gimmicks, no commissions. When you sell, okay? He does it differently and I would say he does it the right way. And you wind up getting an option to buy real bullion that you can actually use. Right now, Dr. Kirk and his team, they're partnering with me at KEPM and offering free content consultations. No pressure, just straight Talk. Go to kepm.com cuomo and take control of your future. Knowledge is power. Get smart, get moving. Before the next shock hits. What is your message to those of us who are still here? One, in terms of the Rosie abandoned us, two, what do you make of. What do you want people to know? Liberals specifically, about what their posture should be about. This big question that is looming over us right now about what direction we're going to go with this current conflict in the Middle East.
Rosie O'Donnell
Well, for many, many years, Israel has wanted to do this to Iran ran and presidents before this one forbid it. And this one apparently has decided to allow it. So it's a whole new step into them trying to consolidate power amongst these patriarchal, fascist white men who are all criminals and, you know, get validity somewhere in his mind. And I feel sorry that people think I abandoned them, but I understand. But I also know that I had to save myself before I put anybody else's mask on, including my kids. And I have five children. And even though they're between the ages of 12 and 30, they still need their mom. And that's a surprise to me, Chris, because, you know, I didn't have parents at that age. So I was like, wow, this is sort of odd. Just, they see how much they really still need you when they're out of the house, you know, telling me.
Chris Cuomo
I was just telling somebody. That's very funny. Somebody I know. I'm a firefighter in my village now. I decided, that's wonderful. I finally wanted to do something for somebody else 54 years in, and a lot of them are young guys and getting into the. The baby game. And I said, here's what they don't tell you. It never ends. 22 versus 2 is the same fucking job. It's just different requirements. And the older they get, the more they fight the parenting. The best period is the period everybody fears in the beginning when they're breaking shit. At least they're breaking shit because they don't know early on. And it never ends. So everybody needs a parent.
Rosie O'Donnell
So true.
Chris Cuomo
I had this Jamaican lady was the hospice nurse for my father, and she hit me with one of. She hit me with two of their great aphorisms. One is once a man, twice a child, which is so true about the elderly experience. And the other one is, yes, a boy is not a man. And this is certainly true. A girl is not a woman. A kid is not an Adult until they lose their parents. And when I lost my father, it was a unique experience of feeling alone and having to do for yourself and tapping into things. So for me, Rosie, it doesn't matter where you are, because for me, the value in you is that you are a real one. As the kids say these days, you are authentic, you are consistent, and you feel very deeply. And those are precious commodities to me. So I will find you wherever you are.
Rosie O'Donnell
Thank you, Chris. That's always welcome. How's your mom doing?
Chris Cuomo
So my mother is great, physically. 93 years old. Would see a movie or a show with you on it, and I'd say, who is that? And she'd say, Rosie o' donnell. And then she would look at me and say, who's asking? So she ran out of knowing who we are now.
Rosie O'Donnell
Did she confuse you with the. Your brothers, or did she think you were someone else?
Chris Cuomo
She. It's. That was a year ago. Now. We are. If I don't see her a lot, like, if I'm not in there every week, right, looking at me and the nurse or my sister saying, look, it's Christopher. And she'll say, yes, I know you in my heart. And I'll show her my son, who's the only son and 14 grandkids. He's now a model for IMG. He goes to school in St Andrew, Scotland, by the way. So.
Rosie O'Donnell
Oh, wow.
Chris Cuomo
We've been going over. There was a great move for him to get him some exposure and cultural sophistication. But when she sees him, it's like she's looking at Jesus.
Rosie O'Donnell
Oh, because his name is Mario. You want from a grandmother.
Chris Cuomo
Yeah, she's great. She's great. And because we went through what we did with my father, I have a lot more understanding of, hey, this is not the mom that was with me in Queens. This isn't the mom that, you know, I knew 15 years ago. This is a different lady. She's sweet, she's happy. That's enough. So I got low. I got low expectations, and she's healthy and happy. What else do I want, Rosie?
Rosie O'Donnell
That's all you need. And listen, you know, they ushered us in, and it's our job to usher them out.
Chris Cuomo
Yeah, we suck it in.
Rosie O'Donnell
It's a very hard thing, this life and death. People don't know what to do with it in America, you know, and it's. It's very difficult to face, but one has to because this is the reality of our lives, right? This is the totality of our existence. What do you stand for. And as they say in Hamilton, who lives, who dies, who tells your story, you know, if it's not you, as you age into your 60s and your 70s, if you're lucky, you know, then who will? And so tell your truth, tell your story. You know, I was a kid who wasn't supposed to become a famous person. I, you know, as a chubby gay kid who talked too tough and like boys, baseball and, you know, I was a little rascal, you know, but how did I become this? I don't know. But I tell you, there aren't many countries that somebody can do what I did. And that's why, you know, I will always love my country and I will always be grateful and I will always be a part of it, no matter where I am.
Chris Cuomo
Well, remember that the next time we speak. And you're like, you've been watching the football and here's the shalali for you. Rosie o' donnell, I miss you. I wish you well. I'm always a call away. Best to you.
Rosie O'Donnell
Thank you, honey. Thank you very much. Good to see you, Rosie.
Chris Cuomo
Thank you for doing it.
Rosie O'Donnell
Sure, my pleasure.
Chris Cuomo
Politics are still the same, but boy, her life choices have changed and it's amazing that she believes she won't come back here. It's hard for me to believe it, but got to take her at her word and I understand her motivations. It's really interesting how this battle between right and left with maga and woke as two competing fringe mentalities have really shaped the reality for all of us. It's really interesting. And Rosie o' Donnell is an example of how far people are willing to go to change what they see as the political reality here at home. What do you think? Let me know. Thank you for subscribing and following here at the Chris Cuomo Project. Thank you for checking me out at NewsNation 8p and 11p every weekday night Eastern. And thank you for hitting up the substack. Okay, yes, if you subscribe, you'll get love from me in the comments and from my guests with lives I'll be doing every week. I'm using the money to help people get long Covid treatment and to crowdsource contributions like we did for Peter. The foster parent the other night gave him 10 grand that came from my substack earnings. So thank you very much, my brothers and sisters. The problems are real. Our attitude must be the same. Let's get after it.
Episode Release Date: June 24, 2025
Host: Chris Cuomo
Guest: Rosie O'Donnell
In this compelling episode of The Chris Cuomo Project, host Chris Cuomo engages in an in-depth conversation with renowned broadcaster and activist Rosie O'Donnell. The discussion centers on Rosie's recent relocation from the United States to Ireland, exploring the motivations behind her move, the stark contrasts between the two countries' political and cultural landscapes, and her perspectives on the current state of American politics.
[00:00 - 01:33]
Chris Cuomo initiates the conversation by addressing Rosie's relocation to Ireland, expressing his surprise and curiosity about her decision to move away from the United States amidst the tumultuous political climate.
Rosie O'Donnell:
"Ireland's fantastic. I'm feeling very wobbly about what's happening politically in America, but very happy to be safely here." [00:57]
Rosie clarifies that her move was not a preemptive escape from Donald Trump’s presidency but a necessity for her personal well-being and to better support her non-binary autistic child.
[01:50 - 03:21]
Rosie delves into the profound personal toll that the politically charged environment in the U.S. has taken on her mental health. She recounts experiencing depression and unhealthy coping mechanisms during Trump's first term, highlighting the need for self-preservation.
Rosie O'Donnell:
"I knew in order for me to be a good parent to this 12 that I've got to be around for 20 more years. I need to take care of myself." [02:54]
Her move to Ireland is portrayed as a strategic decision to ensure a healthier environment for herself and her child, away from the pervasive political tensions of America.
[03:40 - 07:27]
Rosie contrasts the celebrity culture in Ireland with that of the United States. In Ireland, celebrities like Jay-Z and Beyoncé receive minimal public attention, fostering a sense of normalcy and community.
Rosie O'Donnell:
"When I come here, there's no MAGA support. People are genuinely interested in who you are, not your celebrity status." [06:45]
She appreciates the equal footing Irish society affords individuals, where personal interactions are grounded in authenticity rather than fame, contributing to her sense of safety and belonging.
[21:07 - 23:37]
Rosie discusses the Irish educational system's approach to supporting neurodiverse children, particularly her non-binary autistic child. She praises the inclusive environment and the extensive support services available.
Rosie O'Donnell:
"Autistic kids need to stim a lot, and Ireland's schools handle it exceptionally well, allowing my child to thrive." [22:01]
The comparison highlights the differences in educational priorities and support mechanisms between Ireland and the U.S., reinforcing Rosie's satisfaction with her decision to relocate.
[07:51 - 10:55]
Rosie expresses deep concerns about the erosion of truth in American politics and media. She criticizes the shift from journalism to entertainment, particularly targeting Fox News for propagating misinformation.
Rosie O'Donnell:
"The history we've been taught about our country is a lie... Fox News stealing all of our senior citizens with their bullshit and lies." [08:35]
She underscores the detrimental impact of sensationalist media on public perception and democratic institutions, advocating for a return to truthful reporting.
[10:55 - 14:43]
The conversation shifts to the rise of extremism within the American two-party system. Rosie and Chris discuss how both major parties have been influenced by fringe elements, leading to increased polarization and undermining democratic discourse.
Chris Cuomo:
"The big surrender has not been to MAGA, it has been between the two parties, which we're saddled with. Anything I say or do is okay if it creates an advantage." [13:15]
Rosie echoes these sentiments, highlighting the corrosive effect of extreme partisanship on governance and societal cohesion.
[27:15 - 30:35]
Rosie shares heartwarming anecdotes about her interactions with local children in Ireland, illustrating the genuine and unaffected nature of Irish communities. A memorable story involves a young girl named Angela who mistakes her for a famous actress but prefers Rosie's authentic self.
Rosie O'Donnell:
"Angela said, 'Don't you be lying to me. I've seen Rosie O'Donnell with the black mane of hair,' and she didn't recognize me. It made me realize how normal people here see me." [29:20]
These interactions reinforce Rosie's appreciation for the straightforward and sincere nature of Irish society.
[33:17 - End]
As the episode draws to a close, Rosie reflects on her enduring love for America despite her departure. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, storytelling, and standing up against injustice, inspiring listeners to maintain resilience and hope for positive change.
Rosie O'Donnell:
"Tell your truth, tell your story... There aren't many countries where somebody can do what I did. And that's why I will always love my country." [38:19]
Rosie O'Donnell:
"I was so depressed, Chris. I can't, you know, it hurt my heart that America believed the lies about him." [02:10]
Rosie O'Donnell:
"Differentiate how much your needs matter over the politics around you." [05:00]
Rosie O'Donnell:
"People here don't value your celebrity, they value who you are and what you do." [16:37]
Chris Cuomo:
"Extremism is very, very powerful in American society right now." [13:50]
Rosie O'Donnell:
"We have to come out of the fact that lobbyists run the safety of the country." [17:15]
This episode of The Chris Cuomo Project offers a profound exploration of Rosie O'Donnell's personal journey amidst America's polarized political environment. Through candid dialogue, Rosie provides insightful commentary on the necessity of self-care, the value of authentic community, and the urgent need to address extremism and misinformation in media. Her experiences underscore the broader themes of resilience and the pursuit of truth in challenging times.
For those interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the intersection between personal well-being and political climates, this episode is a must-listen.