Jesse Eisenberg says he has no plans to leave the United States, despite holding dual citizenship and ongoing political divisions under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Speaking at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, the actor and filmmaker spoke out on rumors suggesting that he would leave because of his Polish citizenship.
Jesse Eisenberg, who became a Polish citizen last year, said he considers himself fortunate and believes remaining in the U.S. is the right decision for his family. He said:
“I am a very lucky American. I have a nice life.”
The Oscar-nominated actor further explains that his viewpoint is partially formed due to his wife, who works as a teacher and has witnessed first-hand the struggles faced by some of her pupils.
“My wife is a teacher, and she teaches a lot of students who are not as lucky as we are.”
Rather than viewing his second citizenship as an opportunity to leave, The Social Network star said he and his wife feel a duty to stay in New York and support those experiencing difficult circumstances.
“I think we feel, if anything, a responsibility to stay in New York and help those who are struggling through a tougher period in American history.”
Jesse Eisenberg’s remarks come as several public figures have discussed relocating or spending more time outside the United States following political changes in recent years. However, he made it clear that he does not intend to follow that path.
The actor received Polish citizenship in 2025 after pursuing a deeper connection to his family’s heritage. His ancestors were from Poland before emigrating, and Jesse Eisenberg has previously spoken about learning more about his family’s history while working on projects connected to the country.
Jesse Eisenberg reveals reason he turned down reprising Mark Zuckerberg role in The Social Reckoning
The comments come a week after he confirmed he had turned down appearing in The Social Reckoning, the forthcoming sequel to The Social Network in 2010, in which he starred as the young Mark Zuckerberg.
In a quick chat with Variety, the actor shared he had a meeting with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, who wrote The Social Network and who gathered the original cast back together.
“It’s an honor to speak to Aaron in any capacity, because he’s so articulate and charming and so bright. We talked about doing the movie for several days, as he said. The way Aaron speaks, he speaks so wonderfully — as he writes — that in a way, if you’re not going to do something with him, it feels almost like you’re letting down America.”
However, when asked why he rejected reprising the role, Jesse Eisenberg explained:
“I just told him I’m moving in different directions in my life, and you know, what he said sums it up nicely: I don’t want to be associated with that character. But all of my reasons for not wanting to do the movie have nothing to do with how wonderful the movie is, and will be, and I’m sure is already.”
Edited by Gladys Altamarino