Donald Trump’s re-election to the White House has caused shockwaves among Democrats worldwide, with a number of high-profile celebrities among those who have voiced their disbelief.
Before 72 million Americans cast their votes for the convicted felon this week, numerous stars stepped out in support of his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Democrat hopeful, who missed out on becoming America’s first female president, even invited stars like Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey to join her on stage during her recent rallies.
Many others even vowed to leave the US should the twice-impeached former leader win the tightly contested election.
By the early hours of Wednesday, it had become clear that Mr Trump had secured the leadership once again, eventually bagging 295 electoral college votes.
It’s led to an outpouring of grief from America’s more liberal voters, as well as international concern at what his presidency will mean for climate change, women’s reproductive rights, geo-political security and the survival of democracy itself.
With the dust settling over the Republican victory, a couple of months now remain before the transition of power, when Mr Trump will officially take office in January 2025.
It’s unclear whether the celebs in question meant what they said, but here are those high-profile personalities who suggested they would ditch the US if Mr Trump secured a return to the White House.
Cher
Cher has made no secret of her opposition to Mr Trump’s government, previously stating she’d even try to leave the planet if he became president.
In 2023, the musician once again repeated her commitment to leaving the country if Mr Trump was re-elected, explaining that she developed health issues the first time around.
"I almost got an ulcer the last time. If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave [the country],” Cher told the Guardian in 2023.
As a staunch advocate for trans rights, the 78-year-old star urged people to remain united instead of being drawn into the Republican’s attempts to stoke division.
“It’s something like 500 bills they’re trying to pass,” Cher said about the anti-trans movement. “I was with two trans girls the other night – and, of course, my own child [Chaz is trans]. I was saying, ‘We’ve got to stand together.’ I don’t know what their eventual plan is for trans people. I don’t put anything past them.”
Sharon Stone
Earlier this year, American actor and film producer Sharon Stone suggested she was eyeing up a house in Europe should Mr Trump be re-elected.
Speaking to the Mail Online, Stone admitted: “I am certainly considering a house in Italy.”
Reflecting on what she didn’t like abut the Trump camp, Stone explained that she felt the Republican candidate was running a campaign of “hate”.
She added: “I think that’s an intelligent construct at this time. This is one of the first times in my life that I’ve actually seen anyone running for office on a platform of hate and oppression.”
Barbara Streisand
Actor and singer Barbra Streisand suggested that she liked the idea of living in the UK, should Mr Trump return to power this time around.
Speaking to talk show host Stephen Colbert in late 2023, the 82-year-old star voiced her disapproval of the Republican candidate.
“I can’t live in this country if he becomes president,” she said.
Following Mr Trump’s election, she took to social media where she said there were “no words left”.
In another post, she added: “Kamala Harris sent us off with a hopeful message when she said, ‘Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.’ Thank you, Kamala.”
It’s not the first time that the film star has suggested she would quit the US, having previously expressed a similar sentiment ahead of the 2016 election.
“I’m either coming to your country, if you’ll let me in, or Canada,” she said in a 60 Minutes interview at the time, although she never followed through on her pledge.
Other stars who promised to leave
When Mr Trump first ran for president in 2016, several other stars also vowed to leave the country, including Miley Cyrus, Bryan Cranston, Lena Dunham, Samuel L Jackson, and Whoopi Goldberg.
However, most later backpedalled on their claims and decided to stay.
