Be careful what you wish for. Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk joked that actor Jesse Eisenberg’s newly granted Polish citizenship might come with strings—and military service—attached.
The Oscar nominee, who has been trying to obtain Polish citizenship for years, was granted the honor last week. Eisenberg shared the news on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “The president personally gave it [citizenship] to me last week,” the 41-year-old actor said. “You know, it was a great honor.”
However, just a day after becoming a naturalized Pole, Eisenberg was hit with a bit of unexpected news: a new mandate that requires all male Polish citizens to undergo military training.
“I open the news … and the top story was, Poland now requires all males to participate in military training,” Eisenberg quipped. “This was, like, the day after I got it.” The star, who was promoting his second directorial effort, A Real Pain, couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of the situation. And, luckily for him, Polish authorities were similarly amused.
Eisenberg’s bewilderment didn’t go unnoticed by Tusk, who took to social media to respond. On X (formerly Twitter), Tusk wrote, “Dear Jesse, get ready! I’ll have news for you tomorrow,” humorously suggesting that Eisenberg might soon be called up for his military training.
Eisenberg’s relationship with Poland inspired the Oscar-winning movie A Real Pain, which follows a pair of cousins (played by Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin) tracing their Jewish heritage in Poland. The movie, which blends comedy and drama with cultural exploration, has been hailed as a deeply personal project for the multi-hyphenate, reflecting his own connection to the country through his Jewish roots.
The comedic exchange between Eisenberg and Tusk now shines a light on Poland’s military mandate, which applies to all males over 18, regardless of their background or profession. While the actor’s situation is unique, average citizens will be compelled to report for duty as tensions in Eastern Europe continue to rise in the wake of the conflict in neighboring Ukraine.
