Musician Art Garfunkel, 84, has joined a growing list of celebrities considering leaving the U.S. over concerns about President Donald Trump’s policies, citing climate change, international affairs, and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as key issues.
Art Garfunkel, the 84-year-old musician and former member of Simon & Garfunkel, has publicly expressed his frustration with the U.S. under President Donald Trump, stating he is thinking of leaving the country, frankly.
In an interview with The Guardian, Garfunkel criticized Trump’s approach to international conflicts, particularly the military operation that led to the capture of then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. When Donald Trump took over Venezuela, are those the new rules? Just take over a country and run it?
he asked, expressing shock at what he described as a shift in U.S. foreign policy.
Garfunkel’s Concerns: Climate, Politics, and a Fractured National Identity
Garfunkel’s remarks reflect broader anxieties about the direction of the U.S. under Trump, particularly regarding climate change and global stability. It’s real that the planet is getting warmer, that the water’s rising, that so many people are starving,
he said, linking his concerns to the administration’s stance on environmental policy. His comments also touched on the broader implications of Trump’s leadership, including the perceived erosion of long-standing international norms. It’s shocking, and you think, ‘How on earth are we gonna change the presidency?’ But Trump won’t last forever, so we’ve got to hope,
he added.
The musician’s statements come amid a wave of celebrity movements, with figures like comedian Rosie O’Donnell and director James Cameron citing similar frustrations. O’Donnell, who moved to Ireland after Trump’s 2024 election victory, described the U.S. as a place where people are driven to drink regardless of who’s running their country.
Meanwhile, former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has made her stay in the U.K. permanent, citing the election as a catalyst. Garfunkel, however, emphasized that his concerns are not just political but existential. I don’t like America’s position at all,
he said, adding, I’m not aboard.
Expert Analysis: A Political Statement or a Genuine Exit?
Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff, who commented on the trend, noted that while many celebrity threats to leave the country are easy to roll your eyes at,
Garfunkel’s remarks carry weight. He’s looking at the country he has lived in his entire life and saying, essentially, ‘I don’t recognize our role in the world anymore,’
Shroff said. He suggested that Garfunkel’s comments are less about a concrete plan to relocate and more about a political statement. The line about leaving America is obviously going to get the attention, but I don’t think that’s really what Garfunkel is saying here,
Shroff added.
Shroff’s analysis highlights a tension between symbolic protest and practical action. While Garfunkel’s age and career longevity make his statements more resonant, the broader trend of celebrities relocating underscores a growing sense of disillusionment. People can disagree with his politics, but that kind of unease is hardly unique to Art Garfunkel,
he said, pointing to a wider cultural shift.
What’s Next for Garfunkel and the Celebrity Exodus?
For now, the focus remains on how such high-profile voices shape public discourse. With Trump’s policies continuing to polarize, Garfunkel’s comments serve as a reminder of the personal stakes behind political debates. As Shroff noted, The level of alienation he’s expressing
reflects a broader sentiment among those who feel disconnected from the nation’s current trajectory. Whether this translates into action remains to be seen, but the conversation has already begun.
